Mass Transit

Mass Transit Projects' High Cost Give Minimal Results

Factors such as age, labor costs, real estate, and construction all factor into why cities are paying more money for transit projects, but are still getting less on their return, writes David Lepeska for The Atlantic Cities.

November 9, 2011 - The Atlantic Cities

Creative Planning Helped to Avoid Transit Cuts

The Milwaukee County Transit System had planned to reduce service due to a reduction in state aid in 2012. According to Jeramey Jannene, "with some last minute creative planning, they were able to avoid many cuts thanks to the use of CMAQ funds."

November 3, 2011 - Urban Milwaukee

Why I Gave Up the Bus...For a Bike

In August, I moved into a high density apartment complex just 1.5 miles from my office and a five minute walk to a bus stop. One of the central advantages of the building's location was its access to alternative transportation modes. While I could park my car for "free" (the real cost is built into the lease), I was interested in keeping it parked as much as possible. Now, after nearly three months of experimentation, I'm ready to give up the bus, and the reasons are central to understanding the future of transit in the US.

November 2, 2011 - Samuel Staley

VIA Clashes With San Antonio City Council Over Wireless Streetcar Plan

VIA Metropolitan Transit Company met with the city council regarding future plans involving a new streetcar line. According to Vianna Davila, "VIA must drastically change its streetcar proposal if it wants the city to help pay for the project."

October 20, 2011 - My San Antonio

Shanghai Crash Ignites Public Anger Amid Fractured Government Response

Officials are investigating the cause of a crash in which more than 20 people were seriously injured Tuesday riding the Shanghai subway. Citizens have voiced their frustration at ambitious rail projects they view as neglecting safety.

September 28, 2011 - Reuters

Britons are Driving Less

British cities report 9% fewer car trips per person and a 5% decline in distance traveled by car. That's because fewer young people are deciding to learn how to drive, says Prof. Phil Goodwin of the University of West of England.

May 27, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

More Transit, Please

The Atlanta Regional Commission has delivered a massive wish list of 436 transit and transportation projects to be funded by a new sales tax increase. Ariel Hart reports that the proposal indicates that the region is clamoring for mass transit.

April 17, 2011 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Latin America’s Bus Rapid Transit Boom Offers Lessons for the U.S.

Bus rapid transit (BRT) is often the most feasible, quickly implemented and cost-effective way to improve mobility in the United States, concluded a distinguished panel of transport experts at a Brookings Institution event.

March 14, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

DC Streetcars to Be a Shot in the Arm

It was nearly 50 years ago, when streetcars were seen on the roadways of downtown Washington, DC. Dan Tangherlini, the former transportation director for the District discusses why streetcars matter in the United States capital.

January 16, 2011 - The City Fix

New Toronto Mayor Kills Transit Dreams

The newly installed mayor of Toronto has swiftly abandoned an $8.1 billion mass transit plan for the city.

December 3, 2010 - The Toronto Star

Indianapolis Transit Proposal Focuses On Frequency Over Coverage

After a year of outreach and research, Indy Connect has published its report yesterday outlining recommendations for the next 25 years of public transit expenditure. They call for $2.4 billion on transit and $8.4 on road expansion and maintenance.

November 13, 2010 - the transport politic

One Nation Under One Card

A plan at the national level in India intends to put all buses, trains, rail, metro, ferry, taxis and even auto rickshaws under a common, contactless smart card.

November 12, 2010 - TheCityFix

Political Cleavage Intensifies Debate On A More Connected LA

Christopher Hawthorne, the architecture critic at the LA Times the contradictory evidence surrounding LA's machinations toward becomming a post-suburban city. He finds public opinion fractured as the MTA finalizes plans for two Westside subway lines.

October 31, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Moscow Metro Gets a New Map

With the debut of the latest map of the Moscow Metro, TheCityFix's Jonna McKone takes a look at mass transit maps from across the globe and chats with mapmaker Cameron Booth.

October 26, 2010 - TheCityFix

Time-Based or Distance-Based Transit Fares: Is One Better Than the Other?

Is there a difference between the two most common fare structures in public transit?

October 23, 2010 - TheCityFix

Taking the 'Mass' Out of Mass Transit

Is the isolation of personal rapid transit truly viable for mass transit?

September 29, 2010 - TheCityFix

Making the Transit-Land Value Connection

When the link between transit operators and real estate developers was severed in the early 20th century, transit became both unprofitable and unresponsive to market demand, and land value-lowering MTA cuts are just one example, says Stephen Smith.

September 14, 2010 - Market Urbanism

Private Buses Make a Comeback in NYC

Recent MTA budget cuts have forced New York City to axe a few of its bus routes, but they've had the effect of spurring a new wave of private bus initiatives.

August 20, 2010 - Market Urbanism

Infrastructure Investment Stimulating Job Creation in Southern California

Major hubs of transportation and logistics are planning major capital investments in Southern California over the next several years.

August 9, 2010 - The Planning Report

Could Meetings on The Subway Become As Common As Graffiti?

The current norm of commuting, which happens all at once and too often by car, is placing too much stress on our infrastructure, our resources and even our emotional health. Melissa Lafsky reports how the structure of our workdays could be changed.

August 7, 2010 - Infrastructurist

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