For all the attention paid the transit investments of cities like New York City and Los Angeles, it's actually cities like Seattle and Denver spending the most per capita on capital investments in transit.
David Gurtman reports data from the Federal Transit Administration about how much each urban area (as defined by the Census Bureau) spends per capita on capital investment in transit systems.
The data show that even before Sound Transit 3 spending went into effect, "the Seattle region was already spending more, per capita, on new buses, trains and other transit projects than any other major city in the country."
"For each person in the Seattle urban area, local transit agencies spent nearly $400 on capital expenses in 2015, the highest such figure in the country," adds Gurtman. As for why Seattle's transit investment costs so much, Gurtman cites Scott Rutherford, a transportation engineering professor at the University of Washington and the director of the university’s Sustainable Transportation Program:
One reason, as Rutherford said, is that we’re just now building systems that other cities built decades ago. Another reason: Puget Sound. Spending by Washington State Ferries is included in Seattle’s total. That’s something that cities less interlaced with water don’t have to deal with.
As for the rest of the list, Denver-Aurora comes in second, followed by San Francisco-Oakland, San Jose, and Washington, D.C.
FULL STORY: Seattle area spends most per capita to build transit and here’s why
Rail Transit: You Get What You Pay For
Seattle Transit blog compares rail investments from five cities around the country.
The Northgate Link Extension Is Great, But Voters Want More
A recent survey of Seattle voters finds widespread support for the continued expansion of the Link light rail system in Seattle.
Floating Train Bridge Arriving in Seattle
The never-before-used design is already being built.
America’s Best New Bike Lanes
PeopleForBikes highlights some of the most exciting new bike infrastructure projects completed in 2022.
Massachusetts Zoning Reform Law Reaches First Deadline
Cities and towns had until January 31 to submit their draft plans for rezoning areas near transit stations to comply with a new state law.
Green Alleys: A New Paradigm for Stormwater Management
Rather than shuttling stormwater away from the city and into the ocean as quickly as possible, Los Angeles is now—slowly—moving toward a ‘city-as-sponge’ approach that would capture and reclaim more water to recharge crucial reservoirs.
Seattle Historic District Could Remove Street Dining
Despite the popularity of Ballard Avenue’s outdoor dining pergolas, some district board members argue the patios don’t match the district’s historic character.
South L.A. Complete Streets Project Back on Track
First proposed in 2015, the Broadway-Manchester redesign would add bike infrastructure, pedestrian improvements, trees, and other amenities.
Santa Barbara Expands ADU Program to Boost Housing
The city hopes that permitting larger ADUs and making adaptive reuse easier will help it meet its state-mandated goal of building over 8,000 new housing units by 2031.
Ascent Environmental
California Polytechnic State University
City of Albuquerque Planning Department
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Hercules
City of Fitchburg, WI
City of Culver City
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.
