- The U.S. DOT will award $1.5 billion in grants for new low- and no-emissions buses and bus facilities, but the criteria are quite different under Trump than the Biden administration. Equity and climate change are out; having lots of married people with babies are in. (Cities Today, Smart Cities Dive)
- Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson reintroduced a U.S. House bill to provide $80 billion in funding over four years for transit operations (Trains) that's backed by the Union of Concerned Scientists. Guess how likely it is to pass?
- U.S. transit ridership is back up to 85 percent of its pre-pandemic levels, although office occupancy is still only 52 percent (Metro Magazine). Despite ongoing challenges with tax bases and transit funding, reports of cities' deaths have been greatly exaggerated, as they're now growing at a fast pace. (Slate)
- Democratic U.S. Rep. Katie Porter learned a political lesson when she crossed California labor unions by bashing high-speed rail. (Politico)
- New Jersey trains will start running again today after striking transit workers reached a tentative deal to return to work. (ABC News)
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed an executive order telling cities and counties that if they expect to continue receiving state transportation funds, they'd better comply with state laws meant to encourage affordable housing. (Colorado Public Radio)
- Without state funding, Pittsburgh Regional Transit is planning massive upfront cuts in an effort to stay sustainable with a reduced service level over the next decade. (Union Progress)
- The D.C. Metro wants to fully automate trains, but a regional sales to pay for it lacks political support. (Washington Post)
- Drivers hit more than 600 people who were biking or walking in Cleveland last year. (Spectrum News)
- Bus rapid transit in Madison, Wisconsin remains on track for 2028, assuming the Trump administration doesn't pull any shenanigans. (Cap Times)
- A public trolley inspired by Baltimore's 1950s streetcars is starting up downtown. (Banner)
- Flying motorcycles — what could go wrong? (Jalopnik)
Today's Headlines
Tuesday’s Headlines Show Elections Have Consequences
"Woke" transit agencies need not apply for federal grants now that father of nine Sean Duffy is in charge.
By Blake Aued
Read More:
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Confirmed: Non-Driving Infrastructure Creates ‘Induced Demand,’ Too
Widening a highway to cure congestion is like losing weight by buying bigger pants — but thanks to the same principle of "induced demand," adding bike paths and train lines to cure climate actually works.
January 9, 2026
Friday’s Headlines Are Unsustainably Expensive
To paraphrase former New York City mayoral candidate Jimmy McMillan, the car payment is too damn high.
Talking Headways Podcast: Poster Sessions at Mpact in Portland
Young professionals discuss the work they’ve been doing including designing new transportation hubs, rethinking parking and improving buses.
January 8, 2026
Exploding Costs Could Doom One of America’s Greatest Highway Boondoggles
The Interstate Bridge Replacement Project and highway expansion between Oregon and Washington was already a boondoggle. Then the costs ballooned to $17.7 billion.
January 8, 2026
Mayor Bowser Blasts U.S. DOT Talk of Eliminating Enforcement Cameras in DC
The federal Department of Transportation is exploring how to dismantle the 26-year-old enforcement camera system in Washington, D.C.
January 8, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Are Making Progress
By Yonah Freemark's count, 19 North American transit projects opened last year, with another 19 coming in 2026.
January 8, 2026
