Wednesday’s Headlines Are Suddenly Unmasked
For better or worse, you don't have to wear a mask on public transportation anymore. But maybe you still should.
By
Blake Aued
12:00 AM EDT on April 20, 2022
- A federal judge in Florida struck down the Biden administration’s mask mandate for commercial flights and public transit, including city buses and trains, which had been extended through May 3 (CNN). If you’re wondering when and how to protect yourself now that the pandemic is a free-for-all, here’s a guide from the New York Times.
- Questions are lingering over whether Amtrak has the ability to wisely spend the massive infusion of $66 billion in funding from Biden’s infrastructure act. Not arguing on Twitter about access to freight lines might be a start. (Roll Call)
- Flying cars are the wave of the future, according to the New York Post, where apparently no one grew up watching “The Jetsons.”
- New America will host an online conversation with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg this morning.
- Private companies like Brightline, which is building a line between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, have the potential to help the U.S. catch up to other countries on high-speed rail, but first they have to figure out how to peel drivers away from their cars. (Bloomberg)
- Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has not included matching funds for fare-free transit in his proposed 2023 budget, meaning the city’s much-lauded pilot program could be dead despite backing from the state of Virginia. (Greater Greater Washington)
- Planning has started on a new subway line in San Francisco. (Examiner)
- A long-awaited bike lane in Uptown Charlotte is now complete. (Axios)
- Rural Georgia communities are a proving ground for on-demand transit as a last-mile solution. (Saporta Report)
- Apparently San Diego police are clearing out homeless camps and throwing away perfectly good bikes that may be residents’ only form of transportation. (Biking in LA)
- And the winner for best bus stop in the U.S. is … Portland, Maine! (Streetsblog USA)
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.
Read More:
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.
More from Streetsblog USA
Waymo Means Way Mo’ Cars, According To Uber Docs
Caution ahead: Uber admits that self-driving taxis grow their taxi business, too.
April 17, 2026
Friday Video(s): Kidical Mass, Night-Biking in Tokyo, and More
There were great urbanism-adjacent YouTube videos for every taste this week; here are six of our favorites.
April 17, 2026
Look What You Made Friday’s Headlines Do
There are lots of reasons why drivers kill so many pedestrians in the U.S., and Taylor Swift may be one of them.
April 17, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: Second-Hand E-Bikes Can Be The Way Forward
Upway is helping people, even AOC, get an e-bike.
April 16, 2026
Florida Town Gives New Residents Free Golf Carts to Replace Their Cars
...and recording their highest sales numbers ever.
April 16, 2026