Transportation

Low Cost Bus Carriers Competing For Travelers

Boltbus, a joint venture between Peter Pan and Greyhound, is betting high gas prices and clogged airline terminals, will make way for yet another low-cost carrier between Boston and New York City.

April 29, 2008 - The Boston Globe

NYC's Loss May Be LA's Gain

With New York City's congestion pricing proposal effectively dead, DOT Secretary Peters indicated that the city had forfeited its $350 million grant, and gave other cities the chance to apply. Now Los Angles may grab over $200 million for transit.

April 28, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

D.C.'s 'Mystery Rider' Metro Evaluation Plan Panned

The Washington D.C. Metro transit system is planning to hire a group of "mystery riders" to discretely monitor the system and identify areas for improvement. Critics call the plan a waste of money.

April 28, 2008 - The Washington Post

Broad Road Tolling Plan Eyed As Seattle Traffic Solution

A recent report argues that tolls could provide the solution to Seattle's traffic congestion, but they would have to be very high, and very widely used.

April 28, 2008 - The Seattle Times

Downtown Tram Planned for Burj Dubai

Plans for a 4.6 km tramway have been announced for downtown Burj Dubai -- a $136 million transit system intended to link major developments in the rapidly rising emirate.

April 26, 2008 - Arabian Business

Atlanta Survey Respondents Support Tax for Transit

A survey of residents in metro Atlanta shows that 58% of residents would support an additional 1-cent tax to fund public transit.

April 26, 2008 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Critical Mass on Eight Wheels

Streetfilms looks at the livable streets movement in Paris and a twice-weekly "critical mass" over roller skaters that often brings crowds of thousands.

April 26, 2008 - Streetsblog

L.A. Offered Funding, With Toll Road Ultimatum

The federal government is tempting officials in Los Angeles County with more than $200 million in transportation funding -- but only if the county converts some highway lanes to congestion pricing toll lanes.

April 25, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

How Paris Is Beating Traffic

After the fall of congestion pricing, should New York look to Paris for ideas on how to reclaim its streets?

April 24, 2008 - Streetsblog

Party on the Streetcar

Party organizers in Prague have set up a monthly party that takes place on one of the city's streetcars as it drives through town.

April 24, 2008 - The New York Times

Housing Prices Drop Lower as Commute Distances Rise

Homes farther out from the central city and with longer commutes are being hit harder by the downturn in the housing market. Those located close to city cores and transit are faring better, according to this report from NPR.

April 24, 2008 - NPR

Kunstler: Passenger Rail Only Way to Avoid a Transportation Crisis

As airlines go bankrupt and gasoline prices climb upwards, James Howard Kunstler wonders why passenger rail continues to fall off the political radar.

April 23, 2008 - James Howard Kunstler's Blog

Relocation of Sports Team Could Benefit Light Rail Plans

Officials in Oklahoma is hoping to woo the Seattle Supersonics to relocate in Oklahoma City by offering tax incentives. One politician is hoping to advance plans for a light rail transit system by planting the idea with team officials.

April 23, 2008 - The Norman Transcript

What Happened To Good Old Fashioned Taxes?

Congestion pricing is really just a regressive tax thats hurt the poor, argues one New York Assemblyman. If government wants to improve transit and the environment, it should simply tax wealthy Americans more to do it.

April 23, 2008 - The New York Times

Northwest Drivers Use A Gallon Less Than the National Average

Motorists in Oregon, Washington and Idaho are using less gas per week than the average American. A recent report credits the region's public transit systems and land use policies for the reduction in fuel consumption.

April 22, 2008 - The Oregonian

Will Congress Finally Raise The Gas Tax?

With the nation's infrastructure in dire need of investment, a debate over the need to raise the federal gas tax is brewing in Washington, D.C.

April 22, 2008 - CNN Money

The Transformation Of A Light Rail Corridor

Seattle's new light rail line is poised to usher in a new era for Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Though most are excited about the new development, the fear of gentrification has made some residents worry that they won't be around to reap the benefits.

April 22, 2008 - The Seattle Times

San Francisco's Bay Area Growth May Change With Climate

Officials forecast need to adapt development model: to retreat from some areas, build in others, and reduce reliance on cars.

April 22, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Are Insurance Premiums The Key To Getting Americans To Drive Less?

Forget congestion pricing and higher gas taxes -- accurately priced pay-as-you-go auto insurance might be the best financial incentive tool for encouraging people to change their driving habits.

April 21, 2008 - The New York Times Magazine

New Website Shows Impact Of Transportation On Housing Costs

A new interactive mapping website launched by the Center for Neighborhood Technology in partnership with The Brookings Institution shows how affordability changes from neighborhood to neighborhood based on housing and transportation.

April 21, 2008 - The Washington Post

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.

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