- Despite having little formal policy expertise — although he did put out a detailed infrastructure plan during his presidential campaign — Pete Buttigieg is Joe Biden’s choice as transportation secretary. The former South Bend mayor only recently emerged as a strong candidate for the position (Politico). Streetsblog Chicago's John Greenfield is glad Biden didn't pick the divisive ex-mayor Rahm Emmanuel, but as Streetsblog USA's Kea Wilson points out, some of the Black Lives Matter issues that dogged Emmanuel also apply to Buttigieg. Others, though, praised his ambition, Rust Belt background and on-the-ground experience.
- Still no new money for transit agencies, but the Federal Transit Administration extended the deadline to apply for existing emergency funds. (Railway Age)
- Uber has 30 days to pay a $59 million fine and answer questions about sexual assaults or lose its license to operate in California. (The Verge)
- A divided Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board approved drastic transit cuts that will take effect early next year, including reducing frequency, eliminating 20 bus routes and curtailing weekend commuter rail service. (NBC 10)
- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan wants to raid $250 million from the state transportation trust fund to settle the Purple Line lawsuit, which could endanger other road and transit projects. (Maryland Matters)
- Atlanta needs $2.6 billion to fix all the sidewalks, roads and bridges that are in disrepair, says its new transportation commissioner. For context, that's about four times the city's entire discretionary budget. (Saporta Report)
- Oregon has sharply limited parking requirements statewide for attached homes and houses on small lots as part of the state's 2019 "middle housing" law increasing density in single-family neighborhoods. (Sightline)
- Austin received a $900,000 federal grant to help avoid displacing residents with the Project Connect transit expansion. (KUVE)
- The FTA also announced a $41 million grant for Milwaukee's East-West bus rapid transit line. (On Milwaukee)
- Lyft has added Miami-Dade public transit to its app. (Intelligent Transport)
- Reports that London will rip out almost 800 docking stations and 12,000 "Boris bikes" are incorrect. (Forbes)
Streetsblog
Wednesday’s Headlines Include a Big Promotion
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday’s Headlines Transform and Roll Out
Will autonomous vehicles really make us safer? Maybe in the long run, but maybe not in the short run.
May 23, 2025
Talking Headways Podcast: When You Don’t Really Need an Ambulance
Let's talk about the realities of non-emergency medical transportation, long a quiet backwater of urban transport planning.
May 22, 2025
Thursday’s Headlines Are Open 24 Hours
Between an egg surcharge and now EV chargers, late-night diner chain Waffle House looks ready to thrown down with the Trump administration.
May 22, 2025
How A Single Transportation Emergency Can Keep Parents From Achieving Their College Dreams
Abigail Seldin of Scholarship America about the 3.8 million U.S. students who are earning degrees while raising families.
May 22, 2025
Republican Senators Press Attack on CA’s Clean Air Laws
Anyone hoping that Congressional Republican leaders would follow generations of precedent regarding the role of the non-partisan Senate Parliamentarian or the Government Accountability Office (GAO) had a very bad day yesterday.
Wednesday’s Headlines Have a System
The safe systems approach to street design, popular in Europe, could cut U.S. traffic deaths in half.
May 21, 2025
