Public Transit

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!

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.

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.

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.

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.
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.
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.

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.

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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Pagination
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