- Transit systems are in danger of falling into a death spiral and need government support as part of a green, sustainable economic recovery. (Policy Options)
- Think cities don’t privilege drivers over transit riders? A monthly transit pass in the 30 largest U.S. cities costs an average of $77, while a monthly parking pass costs $2.25. And that doesn’t even take into account cities where on-street parking is free. (City Observatory)
- The West Coast wildfires are a reminder of the need to take cars off the road to protect our air quality. (National Resources Defense Council)
- Desperate for revenue to repair roads while motorists are staying off the road, some states are raising the gas tax. (USA Today)
- Contractors have stopped work on the Purple Line and are preparing to walk off the job as they negotiate a settlement with Maryland on cost overruns. (Washington Post)
- A new report from a transit advocacy group calls for the Pittsburgh Port Authority to let low-income people ride fare-free and tweak routes to meet pandemic-related changes in demand. The program would work by letting Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program-eligible riders show their EBT cards to board. (Post-Gazette)
- Portland transportation officials are studying four different options for congestion pricing. While one of the goals is to change driver behavior, about two-thirds of commuters don’t have any choice but to drive. E-bikes could give them an alternative. (Bike Portland)
- Austin TV station KVUE interviews Mayor Steve Adler and Cap Metro board chairman Wade Cooper about the upcoming $7 billion Project Connect transit referendum.
- A new method of building tunnels will shave almost a year off the construction time for Brightline’s West Palm Beach-to-Orlando extension. (Construction Dive)
- Ridership on the recently reopened -- and free -- Cincinnati streetcar is starting to tick up. (WKRC)
- Workers discovered the century-old remains of a Native American woman during construction on the Orange County streetcar. (NBC Los Angeles)
- Want to start commuting by bike? Here’s how to do it with confidence. (Bicycling Magazine)
Streetsblog
Thursday’s Headlines Hear That Train A’ Comin’
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Wednesday’s Headlines
Is our Jetsons future is finally upon us? Plus, a new and better way to measure streets' level of service.
September 17, 2025
Op-Ed: Congress Has A Big Opportunity to Connect America By Intercity Bus
The next federal transportation bill could be a chance to connect rural America with buses like never before — and it will have spillover benefits nationwide, the CEO of one top bus company argues.
September 17, 2025
Breaking: US DOT Pulls Grants For Projects That Aren’t Focused on Cars
The Trump administration bias for "vehicular travel" — and the burning of fossil fuels that it requires — rears its ugly head again.
September 16, 2025
Seattle’s Human Population Is Up, But Its Car Population Isn’t
Urbanists have long been making that case that growth in Seattle is the most climate-friendly and easiest to support with transit and infrastructure. And it's happening.
September 16, 2025
Tuesday’s Headlines Stay Safe
Political rhetoric notwithstanding, you're much safer on a bus or a train than in a car, or walking or biking near cars.
September 16, 2025
