A highly congested route in Houston is getting new, dedicated bus lanes. Metro looks ready to build the kind of high-quality BRT line that has been a tough sell in the United States.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County is moving forward with a controversial project to add Bus Rapid Transit to Post Oak Boulevard in the Uptown neighborhood.
"Metro officials next week are set to spend at least $11.2 million on buses for bus rapid transit service along Post Oak, committing the agency to spending on the controversial project after years of discussion," report Dug Begley.
The BRT project on Past Oak is expected to be ready by May 2019, about a year before the Texas Department of Transportation opens a BRT line on Loop 610.
With these two projects expected in the next few years bus rapid transit is having a moment in Houston, giving Begley plenty of nuances in design and operation choices to discuss in context of Metro's decision to buy new buses.
FULL STORY: Metro ready to move ahead with Post Oak rapid transit bus buy

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

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High housing costs in city centers and the new-found flexibility offered by remote work are pushing more renters to suburban areas.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

Supreme Court Ruling in Pipeline Case Guts Federal Environmental Law
The decision limits the scope of a federal law that mandates extensive environmental impact reviews of energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects.
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