Report: Transportation Network Companies Would Benefit St. Louis

According to a Deloitte report, St. Louis commuters could save upwards of $220 million a year, with an additional $493 million in regional road construction savings. All the city needs to do is lift restrictions on rideshare.

1 minute read

May 30, 2015, 7:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Lyft

Alfredo Mendez / Flickr

St. Louis is the largest U.S. metro where transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft are banned. Ron Klein, executive director of the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission (MTC), "said differences between Uber and the MTC regarding insurance and background checks for UberX drivers must be resolved before UberX may operate in St. Louis." 

A Deloitte report finds that commuter savings would be well worth lifting the ban. Additional benefits include environmental gains and reduced traffic accidents. "The report also said ridesharing in St. Louis could each year save 7.1 million hours in travel delays; save 2.8 million gallons of gas; reduce carbon emissions by 131,000 metric tons; and reduce accidents by 328." Traditional forms of rideshare like carpooling are included in the estimates. 

Mayor Francis Slay has urged the MTC to adopt the services of transportation network companies. Whether the MTC's concerns are reactionary or justified is up to the future to decide.

Thursday, May 21, 2015 in St. Louis Business Journal

Large historic homes and white picket fences line a street.

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

March 23, 2023 - The Washington Post

Buses in downtown Seattle on the dedicated 3rd Avenue bus lanes

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations

An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

March 28, 2023 - Axios

Amtrak Acela Express train passing through Harrison station in Newark, New Jersey

‘Train Daddy’ Andy Byford to Oversee Amtrak’s High-Speed Rail Efforts

Byford, who formerly ran NYC Transit and Transport for London, could bring renewed vigor to the agency’s plans to expand regional rail in the United States.

March 28, 2023 - StreetsBlog NYC

A row of Victorian homes in San Francisco, California

San Francisco Rents Cheaper Now Than in 2020

Though ‘cheap’ is a relative term.

March 30 - San Francisco Examiner

25 mph speed limit sign partially obscured by red and orange fall leaves

Study: Seattle’s Lower Speed Limits Reduced Crash Injuries

A change in the city’s speed limits has been shown to reduce the likelihood of injuries during collisions.

March 30 - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Couple embracing happily in front of home with "SOLD" sign

Millennials Now Majority Homeowners

Just over half of people in the ‘Y’ generation now own homes, but the largest generation also continues to dominate the rental market.

March 30 - RentCafé

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.