A trend piece by CNN examines Americans' increasing embrace of transit. Although the subject matter is familiar to Planetizen readers, the article also reveals insights into mainstream perceptions of the contemporary mobility discussion.
"You could call it a budding romance with the possibility of a strong, long-lasting relationship. More Americans are riding public transportation," according to an article by Thom Patterson for CNN.
The article lists five examples of the trend toward transit, described by Patterson as "a reflection of a 'do-more-with-less economy' where jobs often pay less than they used to and are harder to hold onto."
The article reads like a round up of recent reports and data making the case for increasing transit use (though some of those reports have been questioned) as well as declining use of automobiles. Also included in the list are transportation projects like the many ongoing streetcar projects around the country and transportation centers like those recently opened in Anaheim and Denver.
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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