Cut Transit Amenities, Not Service

It's important for transit to look and feel nice, if only to resurrect its deeply tarnished image in the United States. But ridership depends on good service, not good aesthetics.

1 minute read

May 16, 2016, 8:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Hudson Yards Subway Station

Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York / Flickr

For transit riders, beautiful stations and convenient amenities are very welcome. But Yonah Freemark makes an important point about bloated costs. "Anyone who has ever ridden the [New York] Subway knows first hand that its success has nothing to do with aesthetics or access to luxury amenities. Stations are hardly in good shape, trains are packed, and cell service is spotty at best. People ride the Subway in spite of these things; they ride it because it's fast, it's frequent, and it's (relatively) reliable."

When decision-makers favor sleek 21st-century monumentalism, costs soar and service doesn't necessarily improve. "New York's own $4 billion World Trade Center Transportation Hub—perhaps the world's single-most expensive station—is evidence of that; rather than improve service frequency or speed, officials chose to direct public funds to a white monument that does nothing to actually ease the lives of daily commuters."

Freemark cites a recent proposal by Boston's MBTA to cut expenses for its Green Line extension. Simple measures to reduce station sizes and cut out excess canopies and escalators save an impressive $300 million. Other tactics could increase that figure substantially.

Regardless, says Freemark, American transit agencies have been unable to reduce build costs to international standards. Until we can do that, perhaps we should focus on what commuters really care about. 

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 in the transport politic

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

6 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Chicago with river in foreground.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan

The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

May 8, 2025 - CBS News Chicago

Close-up on e-scooters parked in painted designated parking area on city street.

E-Scooter Parking: A Guide

How smart planning — and ample designated parking — can end conflicts over shared scooters.

3 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of Bozeman, Montana with mountains in background.

‘It’s Been 50 years’: Public Transit Law Passes in Montana

Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.

4 hours ago - Daily Montanan

Illustration of nighttime city with white lines connecting nodes to illustrate technology and connectivity

Top 10 Tech-Ready Cities

An index ranks U.S. cities based on their preparedness for the ‘smart city future.’

5 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive