- Public transportation agencies are asking Congress for $12.9 billion in aid as they face ridership dips and loss of farebox revenue (Government Technology). New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is asking for $4 billion alone (Times). Metro Transit in Minneapolis (Star Tribune) and New Orleans’ Regional Transit Authority (WDSU) are among the latest to face cutbacks.
- House Democrats are pushing for renewable energy tax credits in the coronavirus stimulus package. (Morning Consult)
- Detroit's Big Three automakers will shut down production at U.S. plants for two weeks starting today. (CNN)
- A surprising new survey found that 77 percent of voters say the country would benefit from expanded public transit, and 61 percent support a moratorium on building new roads. (Gizmodo, Smart Growth America)
- Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is temporarily turning on-street parking into loading zones so that people can more easily pick up food for takeout or delivery. (KOMO)
- Plans for a $100-billion “mega measure” to fund big investments in Bay Area transit have been put on hold by coronavirus. (San Jose Mercury News)
- Express bus routes, trails and intersection improvements are among the items Pinellas County, Florida leaders are considering for a 30-year transportation plan, with less than two months to get the $5-billion package on the ballot. (Tampa Bay Times)
- Micromobillity could replace over half of Chicago’s car trips, according to a new report on the city’s recent e-scooter pilot program. (Smart Cities Dive)
- Bus-only lanes are the future of transportation in Washington, D.C. (Greater Greater Washington)
- Helsinki and Oslo achieved Vision Zero by making life harder for motorists — taking away their space and giving it to cyclists and pedestrians, reducing speeds, tolling, charging more for parking and even banning cars outright in some areas. (The Guardian)
- Tesla is not as essential as Elon Musk thinks. Alameda County forced him to shut down his factory as the Bay Area shelters in place. (Wired)
- Social distancing is triggering the old American instinct to head out for the open range and fresh air. (Boston Globe)
Today's Headlines
Thursday’s Headlines From Around the Nation
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Streetsblog Year in Review: The Biggest Sustainable Transport News of 2024
It was a busy year in the movement to end car dependency — and there's a lot more to come.
December 23, 2024
Monday’s Headlines Are Knocked Out by Greenways
Greenways are helping to revitalize cities, but how well are they integrated into the overall transportation system?
December 23, 2024
Friday Video: Traveling Without the Car
City Nerd focuses on the cities where it's easiest to get into town without a car.
December 20, 2024
Friday’s Headlines Share and Share Alike
It's pretty clear that bike- and scooter-shares reduce car trips, but it may be time to consider a subsidized or nonprofit model for car-shares as well.
December 20, 2024
Inside California’s Messy E-Bike Voucher Launch
Over 100,000 Californians tried to grab 1,500 e-bike vouchers in less than an hour. But does that mean the launch was bungled?
