- The New York Times wonders why more people aren't riding the bus. Maybe it's coronavirus? According to City Commentary, it’s no secret: cheap gas.
- Bay Area Rapid Transit is losing $5 million a week in farebox revenue, thanks to coronavirus, and is asking the Federal Transit Administration for help (San Francisco Chronicle). Also in the Bay Area, the Valley Transit Authority is suspending school service and reducing rail capacity (SF Gate). The FTA has already allowed the New York subway to use federal capital grants meant for new trains and maintenance to cover operating expenses (Daily News).
- On the bright side, traffic is plunging in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle since the pandemic began (USA Today). But not in Atlanta, where tolls are rising as congestion worsens and drivers seek to avoid delays (Saporta Report).
- In addition, as Streesblog previously reported, New York is seeing a cycling boom — up 67 percent over last year (Salon, The Grist).
- Streetsblog is all over the coronavirus, too: Driving more slowly will reduce crashes and help hospitals handle the COVID-19 crush. San Francisco is ordering people to shelter in place. If you have to go somewhere, biking is a safe mode of travel during the pandemic. If you have to ride transit, here's how you do it safely. To the extent that government-as-usual goes on, cities can involve the public without public meetings.
- Despite quarantines and recommendations of social distancing, many Uber and Lyft drivers are still working (Mic). The companies recently announced that they’ll compensate any drivers who’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 for 14 days (Axios).
- The Pittsburgh Port Authority is disinfecting buses and light-rail cars every 24 hours. (Tribune-Review)
- If you’re telecommuting during the coronavirus outbreak, here are a few tips: Set up a workspace, set a schedule, get exercise and talk more on the phone. (5280)
Today's Headlines
Tuesday’s Headlines
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Spooky Stuff: On Halloween, Some States Will Have Deadlier Roads Than Others
Find out how yours ranks — and what policymakers can do to make streets less scary.
October 30, 2025
Who Are Thursday’s Headlines For?
Non-drivers still perceive streets as being for cars even when they have bike lanes. And that's because, in many cases, they are.
October 30, 2025
An Olympian Task: Replicating Paris’s Bike Boom in Los Angeles
The Olympics can help transform the streets of Los Angeles — if they look to the example of Paris.
October 29, 2025
Wednesday’s Headlines Are a Clear and Present Danger
Rescinding the "endangerment finding" could not only exacerbate climate change, it could also throw entire industries into chaos.
October 29, 2025
What’s More Regressive: Modest Driving Surcharges to Help Fund Transit, or Forced Car Ownership?
Do Illinois state senators and reps really want to make the financial burden on their constituents less "regressive"? If so they can start by ensuring that as many people as possible can live their lives without spending $12,000 annually just to leave their homes.
Tuesday’s Headlines Pay High Prices for Highway Repairs
If the U.S. didn't spend so much money on repaving roads, there might be more left over for other things, like transit.
October 28, 2025
