According to a new report from the Center for American Progress, technology network companies like Uber and Lyft offer a unique opportunity for low-income users to connect with transit routes and on to greater economic opportunities.

Kevin DeGood, director of infrastructure policy at the Center for American Progress, and Andrew Schwartz, research associate on economic policy at the Center, have written a report exploring the potential of transportation network companies (TNCs) to provide social equity with access to mobility and all the opportunities that entails.
After establishing distance as the greatest barrier to access, DeGood and Schwartz note that TNCs "offer transit agencies the opportunity to experiment with different ways to overcome the last-mile barriers to connect people with the public transit system." The report that follows builds a case to subsidize the use of TNCs like Uber and Lyft for low-income users.
Historically, transit agencies have been unable to address these geographic gaps—especially because extending traditional fixed-route service into neighborhoods is cost prohibitive. Companies such as Uber and Lyft offer transit agencies a way to bridge last-mile gaps efficiently, allowing eligible residents to connect affordably to the public system.
The article describes the unique ability of the Technology platforms of TNCs to make subsidized connections to transit a reality before considering the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in the Atlanta region as a theoretical test case.
Angie Schmitt also picked up on the news of the report for Streetsblog USA. Schmitt concludes that it's "interesting to see some analysis of how ride-hail-to-transit subsidies for commuters might work, [but] it’s still hard to discern a concrete benefit compared to plain old bus and train service."
FULL STORY: Can New Transportation Technologies Improve Equity and Access to Opportunity?

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