Commuter Rail

Alstom Train

New York's Commuter Rail Ridership May Never Reach Pre-Pandemic Levels

Shifting commute patterns and the popularity of remote work could pose an existential threat to the New York City region's commuter rail services.

February 2, 2022 - The New York Times

New York Subway

Big Transit Projects To Look Forward to in 2022

An exhaustive list of all fixed-guideway projects scheduled to open or break ground in the U.S. in 2022.

January 28, 2022 - the transport politic

Washington DC Metro

What Transit Systems Can Learn From D.C. Metro

The nation's second-largest transit system—and one of its newest—persists in the face of a host of challenges exacerbated by the pandemic.

January 12, 2022 - Governing

Amtrak Train

Railroad Merger Would Add Service Between Detroit and Toronto

An agreement between two rail companies would create a connection between Michigan and Ontario, improve passenger rail service in the Midwest, and add new lines in Louisiana and Texas.

January 11, 2022 - WXYZ

Downeaster train in Maine

What States Can Learn From the Success of Maine's Downeaster Train

As Amtrak gears up to plan expansion projects supported by new federal funding, states can take some advocacy lessons from Maine's popular Downeaster train.

December 20, 2021 - Governing

BART Train

Northern California Rail Plan Promises Improved Service, Reduced Traffic

The Link21 program proposes a new transbay tunnel and other improvements to the Northern California megaregion's commuter rail system.

November 16, 2021 - San Francisco Examiner

Amtrak Cascaded

Revised Amtrak Mandate Could Allow for 'Paradigm-Shifting' Changes

Language in the new infrastructure bill calls for the agency to prioritize ridership and service levels over profitability.

August 22, 2021 - Governing

Vermont BRT

To Regain Transit Ridership, Policymakers Must Address Land Use and Housing

More buses and trains alone won't bring back riders; other incentives are needed to boost ridership and encourage new users.

August 20, 2021 - Governing

A maglev train undergoing testing by Central Japan Railway at the Yamanashi Maglev Test Track.

D.C. Has Concerns About Parking and the Cost of Maglev Proposal

Washington, D.C. officials are urging modifications to key components of a proposal to build a maglev system between D.C. and Baltimore, citing disruptions to neighborhoods and cost concerns.

August 18, 2021 - The Washington Post

Amtrak Train

Changes for Amtrak in the New Infrastructure Bill

While the agency is receiving less funding than advocates say is needed, it will also have a new mandate that prioritizes public service over profitability.

August 6, 2021 - New York Times

Washington D.C. Metro

D.C. Transit Agencies Ready to Serve Returning Commuters

The region's transit providers are gearing up to provide enhanced service, shorter headways, and reduced or free fares as more people return to public transportation.

August 3, 2021 - The Washington Post

Amtrak Acela

Maryland Looks to Replace Reconstruction-Era Train Tunnel

The 148-year old tunnel, which slows trains to 30 miles per hour, is the biggest bottleneck between Washington, D.C. and New Jersey.

June 30, 2021 - The Washington Post

Amtrak

How Virginia Became a Leader in Passenger Rail

The state's consistent investment in passenger rail has resulted in one of the nation's most effective regional rail networks.

June 24, 2021 - The Washington Post

San Diego Trolley

San Diego High-Speed Rail Plan Counts on Future Density

Despite slowing population growth statewide, officials believe the region will "grow into" the new rail system if cities promote dense development around transit stations.

June 1, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

Alstom Train

The High Cost of Adapting Commuter Rail for the Post-COVID Future

U.S. commuter rail systems, primarily designed to bring workers to and from central business districts, must adapt to serve a broader population as the traditional workday changes.

May 25, 2021 - Governing

New Jersey Transit

Opinion: 'Commuter Rail' Must Adapt to the New Commute

The sharp historic division between commuter rail and other forms of transit has limited the ability of regional rail systems to serve more users.

May 2, 2021 - Governing

Historic Train Depot

Montana Coalition Wants to Revive Passenger Rail

Supporters of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority argue that a new train could spur economic development and provide a valuable service for the state's non-driving residents.

April 15, 2021 - High Country News

Denver Union Station

B Line Commuter Rail Extension Gets a Green Light in Colorado

The Board of Directors for the Regional Transportation District has given a preliminary green light to accelerate planning work on the B Line extension from Denver to Boulder and Longmont.

April 7, 2021 - CPR News

Train Station Conceptual Renderings

New 'Capital Regional Rail Vision' Revealed

An idea to expand regional rail service around D.C. has new substance after the Greater Washington Partnership revealed the first details of a plan to convert the MARC and VRE commuter train systems into high-frequency, all-day regional service.

March 28, 2021 - The Washington Post

Denver Regional Transit

Political Pressure Reinvigorates B Line Extension Plans in Colorado

The CEO of the Regional Transportation District speculated recently about whether a planned extension of the B Line to Boulder was necessary or desirable. The governor doesn't think the speculation was necessary or desirable.

February 11, 2021 - CPR News

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

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