Wednesday’s Headlines Are Half Empty
Much like many subways, which still haven't recovered from the pandemic due to working from home, maskless riders and fears of crime.
By
Blake Aued
12:00 AM EST on January 4, 2023
- Three years after the start of the pandemic, half of U.S. subway riders haven’t returned even as other aspects of life return to normal. (The Hill)
- City Lab compiled examples from all over the world of “open streets” created during the pandemic that have been made permanent.
- Elon Musk’s Twitter misadventures are having an impact on Tesla, with the company selling fewer vehicles than expected last quarter. (New York Times)
- A “silver tsunami” is about to hit transit agencies, with half of bus maintenance workers expected to retire in the next three to five years. (Route Fifty)
- If we’re going to have parking lots, why not cover them all with solar panels? (CNET)
- Drivers killed 313 people in the Washington, D.C. region last year, the second straight year with over 300 traffic deaths. (DCist)
- Reviving the Red Line light rail project is just one part of bringing equity and local control to Baltimore transit. (Governing)
- Denver’s on-demand microtransit service is helping residents without cars who live in far-flung car-centric neighborhoods. (Denver Post)
- The Charleston Post and Courier praises the South Carolina DOT for no longer treating cyclists and pedestrians like afterthoughts.
- A car website argues that cars are people, too — two people, in fact. (Jalopnik)
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
Friday Video: Everybody Loves to Ride the D (The New D Train in LA, That Is)
It's Woodstock for NUMTOTs — minus the mud and free love.
May 15, 2026
Friday’s Broken-Down Headlines
Sidewalks are too often neglected, but there are ways for cities to step up and fix these essential public spaces.
May 15, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: Sidewalk Nation
Law Professor Michael Pollack on who manages, owns and feels ownership of sidewalks — "America's most overlooked resource."
May 14, 2026
‘Our Roads Are More Than Just Highways’: Democrats Urge U.S. Senate Not to Defund Multimodal Programs
A Trump administration proposal recommends massive cuts to popular programs – and it will cost American communities more than they can afford, Senate Democrats say.
May 14, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Pump It Up
Until you can feel it (gas prices, that is). But you don't really need it (suspending gas taxes).
May 14, 2026