A pilot project to extend the operating hours of Boston's subway system until 3 a.m. on weekends is being celebrated by riders, businesses leaders and public officials as a crucial element in maintaining a vibrant and attractive city.
To attract the talented young adults that are revitalizing America's cities, vibrant nightlife is essential. For cities wishing to cultivate their late-night scene, that means providing opportunities for partiers and employees to get home when the bars and clubs close without driving. Hence the motivation for Boston's political and business leaders to push for expanding the operating hours of the city's transit system.
"Boston is one of the few major cities in the United States where service barely inches past midnight: transit systems in New York, Chicago, and parts of Philadelphia run 24 hours, while Washington, D.C., has weekend service until 3," observes Martine Powers. "The addition of the later service in Boston will put employers on better footing when it comes to recruiting, especially in the technology sector."
“The biggest inhibitor to growth in the tech sector is our ability to attract and maintain talent,” said Tom Hopcroft, chief executive of the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council. “There’s a big talent war going on, and New York and Silicon Valley are more appealing to young people. . . . There’s not a ton that’s holding them here, and oftentimes, it may be how fun and appealing the area is.”
“A vibrant economy demands a public transit system that caters to the residents, students and tourists it serves,” Governor Deval Patrick told The New York Times. “Extending service on weekend evenings will allow the public to enjoy the many attractions and restaurants the region has to offer and give workers a more cost-effective option for getting home late at night.”
FULL STORY: T’s late-night service plan could be arriving right on time

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie