Tuesday’s Headlines Are Fair, Free and Fare-Free
The zero-fare movement is popular with businesses, labor groups and environmentalists alike, and it’s spreading from Kansas City to cities all over the country. But it’s not for every transit agency, especially bigger ones that rely on fares as a main source of revenue. (CNBC) Speaking of those transit agencies: they’re likely to face major … Continued
By
Blake Aued
12:00 AM EST on January 17, 2023
- The zero-fare movement is popular with businesses, labor groups and environmentalists alike, and it’s spreading from Kansas City to cities all over the country. But it’s not for every transit agency, especially bigger ones that rely on fares as a main source of revenue. (CNBC)
- Speaking of those transit agencies: they’re likely to face major budget challenges in 2023. (Smart Cities Dive)
- Families that can’t afford electric cars, which carry an average price tag of $65,000, are switching to cargo e-bikes instead. (NPR)
- “Small modes” — walking, biking, scooters, etc. — can make significant and often underappreciated contributions to reducing emissions. (Planetizen)
- For the first time in a decade, drunk and high drivers outpaced distracted drivers as the No. 1 cause of New Jersey traffic deaths. (NJ.com)
- The D.C. Metro is reconsidering a five percent fare hike, its first in five years, because it would cost long-distance commuters up to $2.50 a ride. (Washington Post)
- The Seattle-area cities of Lynnwood and Bellevue are fighting over who gets light rail service first. (Seattle Times)
- Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner wants to stick with the plan for a controversial Blodgett Street road diet, although one Harris County commissioner has offered to spike the bike lanes if Houston forks over $8 million. (Axios)
- Denver’s biking community is mourning the loss of two cyclists killed by drivers in close succession. (5280)
- Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici suffered a concussion when a driver hit her and her husband while they were crossing the street in Portland. (New York Daily News)
- Surprisingly, previously neglected East Portland leads the way among neighborhoods with the most planned bikeways built. (Bike Portland)
- Mild-mannered Streetsblog editor by day, Gersh Kuntzman prowls Gotham by night striking fear into the hearts of license-plate scofflaws. (New Yorker)
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