Kutsuplus—an attempt to "reinvent carpooling for the algorithm age"—has failed in Helsinki. What can new systems, still operating in the United States, learn from its example?
Four years ago, Helsinki launched an innovative bus service as part of a long-term plan to make cars irrelevant," according to an article by Ollie Sulopuisto. The Kutsuplus system, as it's called, was "the best-known component of Helsinki’s and Finland’s intelligent traffic system," yet it picked up its last passenger on December 31, 2015.
Noting that the model created by Kutsuplus has inspired similar operations in cities like New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Kansas City, Sulopuisto treats Kutsuplus as a case study for lessons that might benefit the systems that carry on its legacy. Some of the most significant issues raised by Kutsuplus, according to the article, relate to scale, subsidies, and sector.
FULL STORY: Why Helsinki's innovative on-demand bus service failed
New App Would Enable On-Demand Public Transit
As transportation network companies like Uber and Bridj make it easier for some to opt out of the public transit system, a new app would help transit agencies offer more user-centric services.
Meet Boston's New Tech-Enabled 'Pop-Up' Bus Service
A private bus service launched this week in Boston that decides service based on crowdsourced data on where and when people need to travel.
On-Demand Public Transit in Kansas City Leaves a Lot to Be Desired
Kansas City's novel effort to handle transit’s last mile problem has failed to attract ridership.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service