Southern California's Metrolink has a new CEO, and he's implementing smart cost-cutting right off the bat, like policies that get drivers to stop idling their buses.
The "no-idling" policy is saving almost 50,000 gallons of gas a week, or roughly $3 to $4 million a year.
Zach Behrens writes, "Metrolink's new CEO, John Fenton, is not a politician. He's a businessman to the core. And one with standards: efficiency, safety, the environment and serving people. Sure, he has vision for the commuter rail line, such as extending night service so people can use the train after Dodgers and Angeles games, but he also has a firm grasp of the economic reality behind those fun ideas -- every government agency is clamping down on spending."
FULL STORY: Metrolink's New CEO Wants to Make Commuter Rail an Experience that will 'Wow' You
With Mayoral Support—What's Next for Proposed MetroLink Extension in St. Louis
The long-time mayor of St. Louis has announced his top priority for his final year in office, and it's good news for transit advocates.
Mass Transit Wins Big in St. Louis County
A half-cent sales tax increase to fund transit passed handily yesterday in St. Louis County, Missouri.
Nashville Proposes $3.1B Plan to Expand Bus System
The plan will hinge on voter approval of a half-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot.
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.
Fair Housing Cannot Take a Back Seat to ‘Build, Baby, Build’
If we overlook fair housing principles in the plan to build US housing back better, we risk ending up right back where we started.
LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan
The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.
Austin’s Proposed EV Charging Rules Regulate Station Locations, Size
City planners say the new rules would ensure an efficient distribution of charging infrastructure across the city and prevent an overconcentration in residential areas.
Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient
A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.
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.
