Thursday’s Headlines Take Off the Mask

From a transportation perspective, the Trump administration is no longer pretending it's interested in anyone other than motorists.

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EDT on September 25, 2025

Photo: National Archives

The Trump administration is eliminating grants for transportation projects it deems "hostile" to cars, such as intersection improvements in Boston, where federal officials prefer to keep the "current auto-centric configuration" rather than one that would "impede vehicle capacity and speed." (Governing) The latest round of clawbacks is even more brazenly anti-walking and biking than before (Streetsblog USA).
The U.S. DOT is also defunding programs that help small and minority-owned businesses compete for federal contracts. (Politico)
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration delayed plans to implement new rules including measures in vehicle safety ratings that protect pedestrians from car crashes. (Jalopnik)
Crashes involving bikes are down in D.C., but safe biking infrastructure is still distributed unequally. (Greater Greater Washington)
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson's proposed budget includes a $10 hike for vehicle registration fees, but at least one alderman would rather cut $4 million for the streetcar. (WISN)
North Carolina Republicans want to bring back the death penalty in response to the recent fatal light rail stabbing in Charlotte. (WXII)
The St. Louis MetroLink is scrapping plans for a new rail line and pivoting to bus rapid transit instead. (KSDK)
Ridership on the Twin Cities' Gold Line has fallen short of projections, but those who do use it are grateful it was built. (KSTP)
Montgomery County, Maryland is adding more than 200 cameras to catch drivers who speed or run red lights. (The MoCo Show)
After crusading against bike lanes, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is now turning his ire toward municipal speed cameras. (Toronto Star; paywall)
Lime is funding 930 new e-bike parking bays in London. (Zag Daily)