- After speaking to Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Biden said China is going to “eat our lunch” on transit and other issues if the U.S. doesn’t step up infrastructure spending. (BBC)
- The Biden administration is shifting federal transportation policy toward transit, climate change and racial justice (Philadelphia Inquirer). Experts expect the DOT under Biden to emphasize electric vehicles, high-speed rail and tolling (Engineering News Record)
- Despite a $10-billion investment in autonomous vehicles, they remain a solution in search of a problem and a long way from reality. (City Monitor)
- High-speed rail is faster than driving, more convenient than flying and better for the environment than both modes. Fixed it for you, Cato Institute.
- After a Seattle referendum gutted funding for Sound Transit, Washington legislators are considering a bill to raise car-tab fees to pay for rail projects. (Seattle Times)
- Famously traffic-choked Los Angeles is launching a study on congestion pricing. (Eno Center for Transportation)
- Over Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’s objections, the Atlanta City Council will let the state shut down a street in front of the Georgia Capitol for security reasons in exchange for safety improvements to dangerous Hollowell Parkway (11Alive). Thickening the plot, Bottoms denied rumors that the city was negotiating with Microsoft to widen the road in conjunction with a giant new tech hub (AJC).
- Detroit’s QLine streetcar, shut down since March due to coronavirus safety concerns, is expected to start running again late this summer. (Free Press)
- Uber is trying to head off European efforts to expand drivers’ rights by lobbying for Prop 22-style regulations. (Tech Crunch)
- Budapest has a plan to boost rail ridership by 80 percent by 2040 (Rail Journal), while Edinburgh has a goal of creating a zero-carbon transit system in 10 years (Smart Cities World)
Streetsblog
Wednesday’s Headlines While You Try to Stay Warm
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
What’s A Transportation Reformer’s Role In the Fight Against ICE Violence?
Migrants and protestors are being killed in the streets by ICE agents. What should transportation reform advocates do?
January 27, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines Become More Affordable
Cities can help residents cut their average $13,000 annual transportation costs.
January 27, 2026
Will New Jersey’s Terrible E-Bike Law Spread to Other States?
"The New Jersey law is the most serious legislative attack on bicycling in many years, and the fear is that other states will follow suit."
January 27, 2026
The Talk of D.C.: Rumors Flying that Trump Admin Wants to Undo Bike Lanes in Capital
The feds appear to be mounting an argument that bike lanes cause congestion in the nation's capitol — and advocates are bracing for a fight.
January 26, 2026
Monday’s Headlines Fund Transit (Mostly)
A federal transportation bill keeps most of the funding for transit from the Biden administration's infrastructure act, except for steep cuts to intercity rail.
New York State’s Car Insurance ‘Affordability’ Pitch Will Shortchange Crash Victims
Gov. Kathy Hochul's Uber-backed bid to make car insurance affordable hides harmful policies for victims of car drivers.
