Wednesday’s Headlines Are Running on Empty
Fewer commutes to downtown offices means less money to fund transit services, even as money for autocentric infrastructure keeps right on flowing.
By
Blake Aued
12:20 AM EDT on April 17, 2024
- Remote work has not only taken a bite out of transit ridership, all that vacant office space is costing cities tax revenue required to fund services. (Business Insider)
- Charging electric vehicles during off-peak hours is driving down power rates for everyone. (Quartz)
- Streetsblog interviewed California Rep. Mike Thompson, the new chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus.
- Transportation blogger Reece Martin defends the value of a good transit plan — not the kind politicians wave around and abandon, but one with follow-through.
- Boston’s Fenway Park, San Diego’s Petco Park and the Rogers Centre in Toronto are tied for the most walkable MLB stadiums. (Axios)
- Bike advocates are fighting back against Washington, D.C.’s decision to cancel longstanding plans for protected bike lanes on Connecticut Avenue. (Washingtonian)
- A Colorado bill would encourage more housing near transit and employment centers, and penalize cities that don’t comply by taking away highway funding. (Colorado Politics)
- A study of Minneapolis building permits found that more than a third of development is happening within half a mile of transit lines. (Mass Transit)
- As they seek to curb reckless driving, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson is focused on street design, while Wisconsin legislators prefer an enforcement approach. (Governing)
- Kansas City’s $2.3 billion budget does not include any new funding for buses, despite residents’ demands. (Defender)
- Praise the Lord! A Philadelphia bike advocacy group took action Sunday to stop churchgoers from parking in the bike lane out front. (Inquirer)
- Rideshare driving is risky business in New Orleans. (NOLA.com)
- As early as 1899, the Detroit News was covering fatal car crashes.
- Public art at a new Seattle light rail station explores mixed-race heritage. (KING)
- The Milwaukee Record continues its tradition of taking pictures of people taking pictures of The Hop streetcar.
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’s Headlines Call a Car a Car
Cars are too expensive, but cheaper "cars" aren't the answer.
July 10, 2026
Friday Video: Let’s Really Nerd Out on Traffic Circles
Are roundabouts perfect? Of course not, but there's a lot of nuance there.
July 10, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: Bill Fulton and the Future of Where
Bill Fulton on the impacts of work from home on cities, the south's new role as the "National Suburb," tax policy and burdens and much more.
July 9, 2026
Safer Roads Are Just A Vacation Away
... Or how I learned to stop worrying and love what Europe does with active transportation.
July 9, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Got DOGE’d
The mere mention of "equity" was enough for Sean Duffy to cancel a Biden bike lane program.
July 9, 2026