- Democrats will be pushing to include transit and green energy—not just roads and bridges—in an infrastructure package, but Republicans may not go along. (The Hill)
- Uber is outsourcing its efforts to create a self-driving taxi—once thought to be the path to profitability by eliminating labor costs, but which turned into a money pit. (New York Times)
- Transit improvements raise the value of nearby property by more than it costs to make those improvements, and capturing that value through a “land gain tax” on real estate profits could provide better transit and more affordable housing. (Common Ground California)
- Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan—who regulated ride-hailing and expanded transit but also made frustrating decisions like dragging her feet on bike-lane projects—won’t run for re-election. (Crosscut)
- Pushback from Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and others led the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to delay a vote on service cuts. (NBC 10)
- While the situation isn’t quite as urgent as in cities like New York or Washington, D.C., Michigan transit officials are worried about what happens when their federal coronavirus funding runs out next year. (Spartan Newsroom)
- Virginia officials say they will continue to prioritize transit and are optimistic Congress will pass a relief package. (WTOP)
- The Orlando City Council will vote next week on extending its e-scooter pilot program. (Sentinel)
- Texas is welcoming Tesla by slapping a $200 annual fee on electric vehicles. (Austin American-Statesman)
- Hong Kong authorities are looking for relatives of Benjamin Restrepo, a Colombian-born American who was killed by a swerving fire-truck driver earlier this week. (Transit Jam)
- Out of Australia, but you could apply it to anywhere: Reclaiming streets for people, not free parking, is what will help retailers recover from the pandemic. (The Conversation)
- Even Monopoly players should have to pay for parking, according to author and UCLA urban planning professor Donald Shoup. (ITS International)
Streetsblog
Wednesday’s Headlines
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Survey: Most Americans Are Open To Ditching Their Cars
Automakers have spent a century and countless trillions of dollars making car-dependent living the American norm. But U.S. resident still aren't sold, a new survey suggests.
January 21, 2026
You Can’t Afford Wednesday’s Headlines
Americans want to live in walkable areas near transit, but not enough housing is being built there, driving prices out of reach for many and forcing them into a car-dependent lifestyle.
January 21, 2026
NYC Warns Delivery Apps to Follow New Worker Protection Laws
The Mamdani Administration sent letters to over 60 delivery app companies, warning they must comply with new regulations.
What the ‘Abundance’ Agenda Could Mean For Equitable Transportation
Could Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson's buzzword usher in an era of bountiful transportation options, or just more highways?
January 20, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines Weigh Perception and Reality
It may be driven largely by the media — car crashes are too common to make the news — but a feeling that transit isn't safe is hurting ridership.
January 20, 2026
Monday’s Headlines Wonder About E-Bikes’ Future
E-bike sales surged in 2020 and 2021 but have been flat ever since.
January 19, 2026
