Ride hailing apps have changed the way people travel. Though public transit may lose ridership to these services, transit should also learn from technological advancements and use those insights to improve transit service.
"After years of impressive increases, transit ridership tumbled by 6.3 percent last fiscal year on SEPTA and PATCO -- and that was before the Silverliner fiasco on SEPTA’s Regional Rail. Though the evidence is still circumstantial, many believe ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft are responsible for spiriting them away," Inga Saffron reports for the Philadelphia Inquirer. This trend is playing out in many cities around the country. Declines in ridership mean less funding for public transit and more traffic for all commuters.
Saffron argues that transit agencies like SEPTA have an opportunity to learn from their competitors by doing things like simplifying payment. SEPTA should also take declining ridership as motivation to improve service through proven best practices (like all-door boarding and removing little-used stops on bus routes) Saffron suggests.
FULL STORY: Ride-hailing apps are killing taxis. Is public transit next?
Bus System Redesign Revealed in Philadelphia
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is tackling a redesign of the bus system serving the city of Philadelphia.
Friday Eye Candy: Cities Break Out the Festive Buses for the Holidays
Check out the holiday-themed buses rolling through the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Detroit Department of Transportation systems.
Akron Putting Finishing Touches on Bus System Overhaul
Akron Metro RTA recently announced the details of an overhaul of its bus system—the reorganization will affect every one of the system's 36 fixed bus routes.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.
Trump: Federal Government Won’t Pay for California HSR
The President has targeted federal funding for the California bullet train project since his first administration.
San Francisco Enhances Urban Planning Initiatives with Green Infrastructure
San Francisco incorporates green infrastructure in its city development initiatives, elevating the importance of sustainability in urban planning.
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.
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.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions