Tuesday’s Headlines Jump the Turnstiles
Transit agencies are checking fares and even fortifying entrances as they seek to alleviate fears of crime.
By
Blake Aued
1:31 AM EDT on October 15, 2024
- Transit agencies are cracking down on fare evaders in an effort to bring back riders who, since the pandemic, have stayed away from transit due to the perception it’s dangerous. (Associated Press)
- Challenges with range, terrain, climate and funding are making it hard for rural local governments to electrify their fleets. (Route Fifty)
- A bill by two Pennsylvania congressmen would let Amtrak sue freight rail companies for interfering with passenger rail service. (Trains)
- Unless Republicans in the Pennsylvania Senate agree to bail out SEPTA, the Philadelphia transit agency will have to raise fares by 30 percent and cut service by 20 percent. But if they get the funding, transit officials have plans to attract more riders. (Billy Penn)
- In the year before Los Angeles promised to eliminate traffic deaths, the city is on pace to set a record high instead. (Biking in LA)
- Memphis Mayor Paul Young replaced the entire Memphis Area Transit Authority board amid budget shortfalls and service cutbacks. (Commercial Appeal)
- Almost 10 years after Atlanta released a plan for a 50-mile network of streetcars, not a single foot has been built. Is it time for a new transit plan? (Rough Draft Atlanta)
- Fewer than 6,000 people have taken advantage of an Allegheny County program offering half-price transit passes to low-income riders. (Pittsburgh Union Progress)
- Omaha’s mayor accused a Nebraska state senator who may run for mayor of trying to scuttle the Omaha streetcar for political gain. (Nebraska Examiner)
- Bike lanes are relatively new in Oklahoma City, and transportation officials are still figuring out what works. (Free Press)
- Richmond is starting work on three downtown bike lanes later this month. (WTVR)
- “Marge Vs. the Monorail” still ranks as one of the funniest “Simpsons” episodes. (Collider)
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: Take Transit to the World Cup … If You Can Afford It
Why are some cities forced to charge high fares to World Cup visitors who want to take the train, while others are giving away rides nearly for free?
May 1, 2026
Good Public Transit + Good Public Funding = Good Public Health
Transit agencies need to do more to remind policy makers of the connection between good public transportation and good public health, a report argues.
May 1, 2026
Friday’s Headlines Walk Warily
Don't be fooled by declining statistics. Walking in the U.S. is still too dangerous.
May 1, 2026
Boston’s New Climate Plan Is At Odds With Boston’s New Transportation Policies
Mayor Wu's climate plan calls on the city to cut traffic and "transform" its transportation system, but City Hall leadership is cancelling and delaying projects that would actually accomplish those goals.
April 30, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: The Logistics of Package Delivery
Benjamin Fong on out how e-commerce companies like Amazon have built their logistics systems and the difficulty of last-mile delivery.
April 30, 2026
