Critic Randal O'Toole and advocate Todd Litman debate how communities should plan for public transit in the post pandemic future. Should it contract or expand?
The Pairagraph website is a "hub of discourse between pairs of notable individuals." The current debate pairs transit and Smart Growth critic Randal O'Toole against sustainable transportation advocate Todd Litman, to contrast their visions for the future of public transportation.
O'Toole argues that "The transit industry has become a giant scam, sucking up taxpayer dollars and producing little in return," and "Contrary to popular belief, transit is neither good for the environment nor vital to low-income families."
Litman responds by pointing out that "To be efficient and fair, a transportation system must be diverse to serve diverse demands, including the mobility needs of people who for any reason cannot, should not, or prefer not to drive. Public transit plays three important roles in such a system: it provides affordable mobility for non-drivers; efficient travel on busy urban corridors; and serves as a catalyst for compact, multimodal development where it is easy to get around without a car."
Both present various statistics to support their arguments. Because the format is so limited - 500 words per post - Litman developed a detailed technical report, The Business Case for Post-COVID Public Transit, to support his claims.
FULL STORY: What Is the Future for Transit After COVID?
The Realities of Pandemic Public Transit Service
Recent analysis by TransitCenter quantifies the effects of the pandemic for the 150 largest U.S. transit systems.
Nine Months Later: How the Pandemic Is Changing Communities
Planetizen shares the latest in a series of compendia tackling the effects of the pandemic, now and in the future, for cities and communities.
Post-Pandemic Transit Plan Announced in San Francisco
The recently announced post-COVID plan for public transit in San Francisco looks a lot different than the pre-COVID days.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research