- Republicans in Congress couldn't use the filibuster-proof reconciliation process to repeal the Biden administration's stricter fuel efficiency standards, so instead they just zeroed out the fines, giving automakers carte blanche to violate the regulations (Reuters). In related news, GM had been converting a factory to build electric vehicles, but will now use it to build gas-guzzling pickup trucks and SUVs instead (Auto News).
- Land use should be considered in conjunction with transit, according to a new study that found that concentrating destinations around transit stops boosts ridership. (State Smart Transportation Initiative)
- Highway guardrails can't withstand the weight of electric vehicles. (Jalopnik)
- New York dominates a list of counties where the highest percentage of trips are taken on foot or by bike, with six out of the top 10. (Axios)
- The head of the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority announced his retirement under strange circumstances, which may have something to do with him butting heads with other city leaders or the Canadian's work permit expiring. (AJC)
- Some Philadelphia transit riders are urging SEPTA not to cut service until it goes completely broke and has to shut down entirely. (WHYY)
- The mayors of several North Texas cities want to revive two failed bills that would cripple Dallas Area Rapid Transit. (Morning News)
- CNU Public Square holds up Manhattan's 14th Street as an example of a place that was transformed by congestion pricing.
- Milwaukee received a $21 million federal grant to convert a busy bus route to bus rapid transit. (Journal-Sentinel)
- The Baton Rouge bus workers' union says the city is not doing enough to keep operators safe. (The Advocate)
- The Post-Standard mapped out the 25 most dangerous intersections in Syracuse, with plans for what the city is doing about them.
- After more than a decade of inaction, Portland is reviving talk of a "green loop" around the city. (BikePortland)
- Seattle residents raced the Route 8 bus on foot to demonstrate how slow it is. (Seattle Bike Blog)
- The Seattle Times has a map to guide pedestrians around the waterfront where the Alaskan Way Viaduct was torn down.
- A Dutch company introduced a new wireless charger for e-bikes. (Electrek)
Today's Headlines
Friday’s Headlines Take the Long Cut
Republicans couldn't repeal higher fuel efficiency standards, so instead they made it painless for automakers to ignore them.
By Blake Aued
Trucks that get terrible gas mileage are back on the menu, boys!
|Alexander MiglRead 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
