Thursday’s Headlines Aren’t Terrified by Trains

Fear-mongering about trains and crime has a long history, intertwined with racism, and persists to this day. But is the fear justified? Probably not.

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EDT on August 10, 2023

Hugo Douchet, CC|

A light rail train in Paris. The city has little parking, so spectators are using an already-crowded transit system to get around.

The common trope about rail bringing criminals to previously safe neighborhoods has its roots in racism and white flight, and there's very little data to back it up. (City Lab)
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg seems to be backing off his initial commitment to equity when it comes to undoing the damage to Black neighborhoods caused by urban freeways. (Politico)
Apartment managers should provide separate storage areas and charging infrastructure for e-bikes, according to one fire safety expert. (Smart Cities Dive)
Even if you're a fan of electric vehicles, the 9,000-pound Hummer EV is an environmental disaster, destroying roads and emitting more greenhouse gases than a typical gas-powered midsized sedan. (Fast Company)
Is it really cheaper to charge an EV than to fill up a gas tank? The answer is, probably yes — but it depends on where you live and what kind of car you drive. (Washington Post)
An "infrastructure boot camp" run by the National League of Cities, Bloomberg Philanthropies and other groups has helped small towns win $428 million in grants over the past year. (Governing)
Lots of transit agencies are adopting fare-capping because it makes transit easier to use and more equitable. (Government Technology)
Denver's Regional Transportation District is putting equity first by making transit free for kids and cutting fares across the board. (Rocky Mountain PBS)
A beloved Minneapolis radio station that caters to a Black audience could be demolished to make way for the Blue Line. (Star Tribune)
Following a series of bus and trolley collisions, the Federal Transit Authority may step in to oversee Philadelphia transit agency SEPTA's safety operations. (Inquirer)
Turning car lanes into streetcar-only could actually make Kansas City traffic move faster. (Star)
Bike lanes don't cause significant delays for drivers, according to traffic studies in Maryland. (Greater Greater Washington)
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is offering free bike-riding lessons for kids citywide. (WBZ)
Toyota's slogan is, "Let's Go Places," but we don't think they mean the second story of a house. (Jalopnik)