Today's Headlines

Thursday’s Headlines Get Schooled

It's still hard to find people willing to drive the ol' cheese wagon. And since so many places aren't walkable, guess what parents are doing?

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EST on November 20, 2025

Piotrus

School districts have made some headway in addressing a bus driver shortage by raising wages, but there are still 21,000 fewer school bus drivers than there were in 2019, forcing parents to turn to other options like ride-hailing services. (Governing)
Transit groups are condemning the Trump administration’s proposal to strip transit funding from the next surface transportation bill (Smart Cities Dive; Trains). It wouldn’t even achieve the stated goal of keeping the highway trust fund solvent (Streetsblog USA via Urban Wire).
A coalition of 24 advocacy groups is lobbying Congress to pay more attention to safer street design. (Transportation Today)
The lack of walking and biking infrastructure in the U.S. makes it much harder for people to commit to a healthy, active lifestyle, writes former Streetsblog editor Angie Schmitt. (Love of Place)
Deliveries are causing more crashes, traffic, workplace injuries and pollution in primarily Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, according to a report from New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. (Smart Cities Dive)
In 2023, newly elected Maryland Gov. Wes Moore promised to revive the Red Line his predecessor Larry Hogan killed in 2015. But progress has been slow, with costs ballooning and a tight state budget. (CityLab)
Besides shoring up Chicago transit agencies’ finances, the funding bill passed by the Illinois legislature earlier this month also includes money for downstate passenger rail and a ban on minimum parking requirements near transit stations. (NPR)
The D.C. DOT’s own compromises are the reason why Vision Zero hasn’t worked. (Greater Greater Washington)
The Memphis Area Transit Authority kicked off a 90-day fare-free pilot program Wednesday. (Commercial Appeal)
Dallas Area Rapid Transit is considering a proposal that would keep Plano in the fold but allow the suburban city to launch its own bus service. (CBS News)
El Paso is considering a new way to fund road repaving: tacking a transportation fee onto water bills. (KFOX 14)
North Carolina college students are pushing state lawmakers to spend $10 million on wildlife crossings. (WRAL)
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who’s faced quite a bit of conservative criticism over bike lanes and congestion pricing, stands up for his city’s progressive values. (LBC)

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