The State of Friday’s Headlines
Transit agencies from Rhode Island to San Francisco are facing budget shortfalls as a variety of factors create a perfect storm.
By
Blake Aued
12:02 AM EDT on September 26, 2025
- As the Biden administration’s pandemic funds run out, and tariffs, inflation and declining gas tax revenue take their toll on transportation buses, cities and states are struggling to maintain roads and fund transit. For example, Oregon’s TriMet is eliminating eight bus lines. (Stateline)
- The price of used electric vehicles is falling fast and is now about the same as internal combustion models, even without government subsidies. (Grist)
- Greater Greater Washington invited D.C. officials to participate in the annual “Week Without Driving” starting Monday.
- St. Louis is pivoting from light rail to bus rapid transit for the MetroLink Green Line. (St. Louis Public Radio)
- Will TriMet back down on 82th Avenue bus lanes after pushback from businesses? Seventy percent of the public want them. (BikePortland)
- Portland speed cameras have been shut down for three months while the city seeks a new vendor. (Oregonian)
- In a city where the bike network is far from complete (CBS News), Atlanta residents built their own pop-up bike lane for just $10,000 (NextCity).
- Waco is creating a nine-mile “smart corridor” using AI sensors to make intersections safer and more efficient. (Government Technology)
- Raleigh will start using the articulated buses it already bought for a BRT line, even though the project has been delayed until 2030. (News & Observer)
- Kansas City is planning multiple events next month to celebrate the opening of the Main Street streetcar extension. (KCUR)
- Uber Eats, which recently started delivering shoes and makeup in addition to food, will start using flying drones to drop those items on doorsteps. (TheStreet)
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
The Five Types of Speeding Drivers
...and why the same solutions won't work to slow all of them down.
October 6, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines Take a Break, Driver Eight
Now is the perfect time to try not driving.
October 6, 2026
Monday’s Headlines Are For the Children
Electric buses and e-bikes are leading to a healthier lifestyle for kids and teenagers.
October 5, 2026
Walkable Cities Can Make Life Better for Drivers, Too
...at least when communities embrace a handful of design strategies that make transportation better for everyone.
October 5, 2026
