Streetsblog

All Aboard Friday’s Headlines

Amtrak is leaving the station with about as many riders as before the pandemic. Plus, EVs aren't saving as much gas as you might think

By Blake Aued

12:00 AM EST on December 2, 2022

Image: Pranav Bhatt via Creative Commons

It's our December donation drive. Click our donation page for info or use the donor widget on this page. Thanks! — It’s our December donation drive. Click our donation page for info or use the donor widget on this page. Thanks!

Amtrak ridership rose by 10 million for the fiscal year ending September 30, and is almost back to pre-pandemic levels. (Reuters)

Despite the hype surrounding electric vehicles, plug-ins have only saved about two days’ worth of gasoline consumption over the past decade. (Jalopnik)

Sorry, New York Times, but the death of cities has been greatly exaggerated.

With thousands of new state and federal leaders set to take office in January, here’s how to engage them on transportation issues. (T4A)

The acting Federal Highway Administration chief praised Colorado for redirecting federal road money to transit, bike and pedestrian projects. (Colorado Public Radio)

Denverite profiles “sidewalk queen” Jill Locantore, who spearheaded the effort to convince Denver voters to tax property owners to fund sidewalks.

Appointed boards accountable to no one but road builders are largely responsible for Nevada’s sprawl. (Current)

The Buffalo News is fed up with traffic deaths.

A new Oregon law allows cities to set their own speed limits, removing a barrier to slowing down drivers. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Residents of Houston’s Third Ward say they weren’t engaged on a proposed bike lane project. (Chronicle)

Austin officials want to keep future buildouts in mind as they consider streamlining Project Connect transit expansions in the wake of rising costs. (KXAN)

Although street design has more to do with pedestrian deaths, Washington, D.C.-area jurisdictions are stepping up enforcement to get a handle on the crisis. (WUSA)

With demand rising, officials in the Columbia, South Carolina area are considering expanding Columbia’s bike-share to nearby cities. (Charleston Post and Courier)

Eighteen Maine cities are collaborating on a Vision Zero plan. (Maine News Center)

French President Emmanuel Macron wants to fast-track development of a regional rail system beyond Paris. (RFI)

Windsor, Canada — right across the river from historically transit-averse Detroit — approved a record $100 million to improve transit. (Star)

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.