Public Transit

Coronavirus and Transportation

Taking Stock and Looking Forward: What's Next for Public Transit?

A group of 12 leading transit experts debriefed on the consequences of the pandemic for public transit, and proposed a future that centers public transit as a tool for economic recovery and righting the past wrongs of the planning profession.

June 7, 2021 - Politico

People boarding bus at LA Metro Bus Stop, Alvarado Street, Los Angeles

Can L.A. Metro Fund its Fareless Transit Pilot?

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors has approved a program that would eliminate fares for students and low-income riders, but the program's future rests on finding sustainable funding sources.

June 6, 2021 - LAist

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

 Person in a wheelchair entering an inbound Red Line train at Harvard Square

Federal Bill Proposes $10 Billion for Transit Accessibility

The program would fund improvements such as elevators, ramps, and accessible ticketing equipment to bring the nation's transit stations up to ADA standards.

June 1, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

Bus Rapid Transit

Jaime Lerner, One of the World's Most Influential Urbanists, Passes Away at the Age of 83

A sad day for the world of planning and urban design innovation, as Jaime Lerner, the Brazilian urbanist who created the concept of bus rapid transit as we know it today, passed away in Brazil.

May 28, 2021 - ArchDaily

Bridgeport Rail

Opinion: Transportation Funding Priorities Are Outdated

Investing in technology and promoting innovation in the transportation sector can further the Biden administration's goals of reducing carbon emissions and improving public transit.

May 26, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

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 York City Bus

Plans to Speed Up Buses Slowed as the City Gets Set to Reopen

An ambitious plan hatched during the pandemic in New York City would have copied the success of the 14th Street Busway. The city has slowly retreated from the plan's original scope since the announcement of the plan in June 2020.

May 18, 2021 - The City

D-Link Bus

The Future of Transportation: Well-Funded Buses (Not Self-Driving Cars)

While autonomous vehicles still face regulatory and technical challenges, investment in basic transportation infrastructure like buses and bike lanes can go a long way toward improving safety and taking cars off the road.

May 12, 2021 - The New Republic

Florida Pedestrians

Earn Rewards for Traveling for by Foot, Bike, Bus, or Train

The city of Orlando is partnering with the Miles app.

May 9, 2021 - Orlando Weekly

MARTA Station

Public Input Sought to Inform Designs of $646 Million in New Rail Cars for Atlanta

Atlanta's new fleet of rail cars, expected for delivery in 2023, will include open gangways. Other design features of the new cars are still to be determined.

May 7, 2021 - Urbanize Atlanta

New York City Subway

Overnight Subway Service Returning in New York City

A big piece of the process of reopening New York City for business is scheduled for May 17, but numerous challenges remain in getting the city that never sleeps back on track.

May 4, 2021 - The New York Times

SouthWest Transit

Senate Committee Hearing Signals Possible Shift in Federal Transit Funding

Transit advocates were pleasantly surprised to hear senators address specific questions about the 80/20 split in transportation funding, transit operations, and rural transit needs.

May 3, 2021 - Transportation for America

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

Uber Sidecar Lyft

Study: Ride-Sharing Increases Urban Congestion

New research shows that ride sharing contributes to increased congestion and decreased transit ridership.

April 28, 2021 - MIT News

MTA Bus

Why the Federal Government Should Fund Transit Service

Although federal transit funding is traditionally reserved for capital improvement and infrastructure projects, advocates argue that funding improved service could have transformative impacts on transit-dependent communities.

April 27, 2021 - TransitCenter

Stoplight and lights

Hong Kong Parking Plan Denounced as 'Wasteful'

Hong Kong's leaders want to build more parking for the growing number of private vehicles, but transportation experts suggest parking management could be a faster and more affordable solution.

April 26, 2021 - Transit Jam

New York City

Cities as a Climate Change Solution

With the urban exodus hysteria of the early pandemic in the rearview mirror, urban apologists are staking high ground on urban soil.

April 22, 2021 - Bloomberg Green+CityLab

Bus Lane New York City

Opinion: Federal Infrastructure Plan Must Prioritize Transit Investment

The Biden administration must combine increased funding with policies that mandate and encourage transit-oriented planning.

April 20, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Nashville

Op-Ed: Don't Reverse the Progress Made by 'Pandemic Streets'

In many cities, the public realm saw a drastic shift towards pedestrian-oriented infrastructure. The L.A. Times editorial board argues we should keep it that way.

April 19, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.