Public Transit

Gothenburg Sweden

Way to Go, Göteborg!

Smart cities around the world are finding creative ways to make walking, cycling, public transit, carsharing and delivery services more attractive and efficient. Way to go!

June 26, 2015 - Todd Litman

trax light rail train in foreground, snow-covered mountains in background

Affordable Housing Follows Good Transit

More raw housing stock is only the first step. Without comprehensive transit, the value of density can't extend beyond the city center.

June 22, 2015 - Grist

Bus Stop Winter

People Still Want Buses, But Buses Aren't Delivering

Urban light rail has enjoyed a renaissance since the Great Recession, but during the same period cities have quietly reduced bus service. Daniel Hertz argues that while rail is commendable, buses remain a vital transit component.

June 8, 2015 - City Observatory City Commentary

New App Would Enable On-Demand Public Transit

As transportation network companies like Uber and Bridj make it easier for some to opt out of the public transit system, a new app would help transit agencies offer more user-centric services.

May 27, 2015 - Fast Co.Exist

San Francisco's Luxury Bus Service Shut Down

Leap, one of three luxury commute services competing with public transit in San Francisco's Marina District, has run afoul with the state regulatory system and was forced to shut down until it obtains an operating license.

May 21, 2015 - San Francisco Chronicle

More Delays and Costs for D.C. Metro's Silver Line Extension

An already difficult project received bad news at the end of April in the form of long delays and huge cost overruns. Now Phase 2 of the Silver Line extension is expected to arrive in Loudon County, Virginia in 2020.

May 20, 2015 - The Washington Post

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center

Debating the Merits of New Intermodal Hubs

Train-bus-bike connector stations have a long pedigree, and a reputation for anchoring neighborhood investment. But some criticize planned hubs for their perceived lavishness.

May 19, 2015 - Next City

Chicago Bus

Seattle Lowers Transit Fares for Low-Income Residents

Joining Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, and Kansas City, Seattle now offers reduced bus fares to low-income residents. Some worry the program entrenches class differences and doesn't truly aid social mobility.

May 14, 2015 - Governing

Small Bus

Op-Ed: Microtransit Shouldn't Replace Public Transit

Halfway between public transit and private cars, new and varying forms of 'microtransit' threaten to out-compete traditional public services. Concerns about equity, inclusion, and employee compensation follow.

May 14, 2015 - Human Transit

Friday Funny: When Subway Announcements Get Real

A McSweeney's post satirizes the obfuscations and euphemisms of public transit system announcements by finally putting things in brutally frank terms.

May 8, 2015 - McSweeny's

Cancellation an Option as Costs Jump for Minneapolis' Light Rail Extension

An already controversial project got bad news earlier this week, as substantial increases in the expected cost of the Southwest LRT extension added more fuel to the fire for opponents of the project.

May 3, 2015 - MinnPost

Seattle Streetcar

New Seattle Streetcars Begin Tests

The First Hill line's streetcars are set to begin service in summer of 2015, and the city is already assembling funds for an extension.

April 13, 2015 - Capitol Hill Times

NYC Subway Construction

Why Are New York Transit Projects So Expensive?

Going back to Robert Moses, New York City has a history of underestimating the price of major construction projects. Inflated infrastructure costs are prompting stakeholders to seek out root causes.

April 13, 2015 - Capital

Chicago El

Congressional Bill to Expedite Transit Oriented Development

Cory Booker has introduced a railroad bill that will, among other things, expand financing for transit-oriented projects near train stations. The new law would also make it easier for TOD developers to apply for federal loans.

March 30, 2015 - Smart Growth America

MBTA Struggles to Furnish Parking for Commuters

Boston commuters report frustrations with a lack of parking at stations along the system—so much so that they sometimes abandon hope of finding a spot or catching a train.

March 23, 2015 - The Boston Globe

Eastside Gold Line and Los Angeles skyline

Where Los Angeles Equals San Francisco's Density

Though the Los Angeles region is very dense, significant barriers to transit-oriented planning remain. Based on this analysis, the lack of a central urban core shouldn't be one of them.

March 19, 2015 - Medium

La City Hall Cycling

On the Re-Orientation of Los Angeles

Aaron Paley, the man who brought Ciclovia to the United States, wants Los Angeles to be a model for the transition from auto-dependent to car-optional.

March 12, 2015 - The California Sunday Magazine

Chicago Bus

Bus Advocates: Chicago BRT Plan Could Be Better

The Central Loop BRT project, scheduled to break ground this month, will improve commuter travel times. But a collection of compromises means many ideal BRT components won't be installed.

March 8, 2015 - CityLab

Google Self-Driving Car smaller

How Driverless Cars Could Affect Suburban Land Use

Successful driverless cars might lead to "mini mass transit," a distinct mode from public transit and the private automobile. The consequences for land use could reshape suburbia.

March 8, 2015 - The Greater Marin

World population

How Dense Cities Reap Green Benefits

What they may lack in peace and quiet, crowded cities more than make up for by requiring residents to live smaller. Tangible environmental benefits follow.

March 1, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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