Streetsblog

Monday’s Headlines Kick-Start the Week

Why transit ridership is down over the past 50 years, how Joe Biden almost scuttled the infrastructure deal and more headlines.

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EDT on June 28, 2021

Transit ridership has declined since the 1970s, especially in sprawling Rust and Sun Belt cities that have seen their downtowns decline, but wealthier coastal cities have bucked the trend. (Bloomberg)
A Biden gaffe almost scuttled the bipartisan infrastructure deal. (CNN)
Rural Republicans are generally opposed to transit, but will vote for rail in sparsely populated areas and for climate change initiatives — as long as you call it something else. (NPR)
To save lives and prevent climate change, the government should spend more on transit and less on roads. (The Progressive)
Small cities want to become more pedestrian-friendly, but are having a hard time finding the money. (Governing)
Some cities are considering making their COVID-era street closures permanent. (Washington Post)
Drivers value safety over speed in the vehicles they choose, so why don’t transportation planners? (Planetizen)
The Texas DOT’s options for I-345 through downtown Dallas range from removing it to doing nothing at all. (D Magazine)
New Jersey continues to raid a clean energy fund to pay for transit despite billions in federal COVID relief. (NJ.com)
Traffic deaths are climbing in Oregon, and in response the DOT is moving the goalposts while still designing roads for speed over safety. (Willamette Week)
Philadelphia’s transit agency is restoring pre-pandemic service in hopes of luring riders back. (Inquirer)
The D.C. Metro will no longer charge riders for transferring from a train to a bus. (Greater Greater Washington)
Minneapolis is considering banning big trucks that block bike lanes and obstruct sightlines from parking within city limits, except to load and unload. (Landline)
Boston should keep on letting restaurant patios gobble up parking spaces. (Boston Magazine)
Dallas residents are hoping to put a historic trolley back on the street. (News Nation)

Blake Aued

Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.

Streetsblog

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.