Many commuters still find buses, trains, and subways to be more cost-effective than driving. However, mass transit funds are drying up, and increased fees and decreased service may deter riders from sticking to mass transit.
"The American Public Transportation Assn., which lobbies on behalf of local transit agencies in Washington, is hoping Congress will add another $2.5 billion for operating expenses to the stimulus bill, which could go to the House floor as early as next week.
'Today, transit systems of all sizes are cutting service and planning immediate employee layoffs,' wrote William W. Millar, the APTA president, in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Jan. 16. 'Public transportation services should not be cut when the United States is attempting to reduce its levels of energy consumption.'
In addition to skepticism about the stimulus strategy in general, the idea of using the stimulus money to fund operating costs may be a particularly hard sell politically.
Ronald D. Utt, a research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said such spending was essentially a way to avoid subsidizing fares for transit riders. 'That's really not consistent with the purpose of the stimulus plan, which is to create jobs,' he said.
Proponents argue that operating subsidies would help the economy by preempting transit layoffs. But some concede that it would only temporarily address the core problem – which is the decline in local tax collections."
FULL STORY: A mass transit dilemma: Ridership up, funds down
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.