Cities across the country are experimenting with free "shuttles" that circulate people through top destinations and have a unique brand to take away the stigma of riding the bus.
Yonah Freemark looks at Baltimore's new Charm City Circulator as an example of this phenomenon.
Freemark writes, "Like many cities opening similar downtown circulators and rubber tire 'trolleys,' Baltimore hopes that its new bus service will be attractive to people who rarely ride transit; the underlying message is aimed at middle-class whites who live and work downtown along the city's gentrified Inner Harbor. By offering service every few minutes with brand new hybrid buses, well-marked bus stops (though no new stations), and defined routes, the appeal of transit increases, especially for lunch time and late-night trips."
FULL STORY: Cities Develop Alternative Bus Networks to Combat Perceived Disadvantages of Mainline Routes
How Detroit's QLine Streetcar Got Off Track
The QLine could ride its own dedicated lane and serve a real need for commuters. Instead, it's a slow circulator for a small part of downtown.
Oregon DOT's Columbia River Gorge Bus Service a Smashing Success
The first season of a two-year pilot project for the Columbia Gorge Express has been a huge hit.
New Bus Service to Alleviate Congestion Between Portland and Multnomah Falls
Even natural attractions outside of urban areas have parking shortages and congestion problems.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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The Five Most-Changed American Cities
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San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
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Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions