Public Transit

Female bus driver wearing safety vest sits in driver's seat, talking with woman passenger boarding bus

TSA Suggests More Background Checks for Transit Workers

The proposal could make it even harder for short-staffed agencies to attract and hire new employees.

August 27, 2023 - Federal Times

A map of a planned high-speed rail connecting Portland to Seattle and Vancouver.

Cascadia High-Speed Rail Corridor Seeking Federal Funding

The state of Washington is hoping federal infrastructure funding can pay for $198 million of the $348 million necessary to plan the Cascadia High-Speed Rail project.

August 23, 2023 - The Seattle Times

Nighttime view of bus stop in Denver, Colorado

Denver Leaders Take BRT Notes in Minneapolis

More cities are leaning into bus rapid transit, a faster, cheaper alternative to light rail-based rapid transit systems.

August 23, 2023 - Colorado Public Radio

A cross section of a street, showing where car lanes and parking would be positioned relative to a bus only lane and sidewalks.

New Bus Only Lane Overcomes Opposition in San Francisco

Local business owners and the local elected official opposed the Geary transit-only lane project, but compromise and wide public support got the project across the finish line.

August 21, 2023 - The San Francisco Standard

White metal and glass bus shelter at station with separated bus lane in downtown Houston, Texas

Houston Metro Prototypes Bus Shelter Fans

The agency is working on designs for a bus stop shelter with built-in solar-powered fans to keep waiting riders cool.

August 20, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

View of two blurred Chicago el trains passing on elevated track between buildings

Chicago Transit Could See Consolidated Agencies, Fare Systems

A report makes recommendations for closing the region’s transit funding gap and improving service frequency and reliability.

August 20, 2023 - Chicago Sun-Times

White Dallas light rail car with Dallas skyline in background

Dallas Nixes Subway Plan

A proposed subway line was removed from DART’s 20-year plan, with the agency citing low ridership projections and local opposition.

August 18, 2023 - NBC DFW

White, red, and blue Utah Transit Authority bus at stop with man standing on sidewalk next to bicycle

Utah Transit Officials Promote BRT

The state’s transit agency is building out new bus rapid transit lines, but has not reversed the sweeping cuts to local bus service made last year.

August 17, 2023 - Axios Salt Lake City

Blue and yellow light rail train at station in Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Advocacy Coalition Behind Minnesota’s Transit Funding Victory

The Minnesota State Legislature recently approved one of the most significant funding bills ever devoted to transit at the state level. The bill required rare political alignment and a new brand of advocacy.

August 16, 2023 - TransitCenter

Small brick building with green roof housing old train station and visitor center in Van Buren, Arkansas

Arkansas DOT Solicits Input for Rail Plan Update

Transportation advocates want to see expanded intercity and regional rail service, along with improved core bus services.

August 15, 2023 - Arkansas Democrat Gazette

White and green Rhode Island Public Transit Agency bus

Rhode Island Ends Free Transit Program

The state’s public transit agency cited cost overruns and a looming ‘fiscal cliff.’

August 14, 2023 - The Center Square

White Seattle streetcar at mid-street stop with four-story brick building in background

Feasibility Study for Proposed Seattle Streetcar Loses Funding

The $1 million cut doesn’t bode well for the beleaguered project, which some city councilmembers see as redundant and overpriced.

August 9, 2023 - The Seattle Times

Close-up of Caltrans logo on white passenger train

The ‘Three Pillars’ of Carbon Reduction, According to Caltrans

The California Department of Transportation released its draft carbon reduction strategy last month to apply for Carbon Reduction Program funds included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Road pricing plays a prominent role.

August 9, 2023 - CalTrans

Close-up of woman holding up smartphone up to contactless public transit payment kiosk

The Benefits of Contactless Transit Payments

New tech can streamline boarding and make fare capping easier, but can risk creating new challenges for low-income riders.

August 8, 2023 - American Banker

Map of proposed Baltimore Red Line transit line alignment with white boxes showing open questions

Maryland to Restart Planning for East-West Transit Line Through Baltimore

A plan for the Red Line, an east-west light rail line notoriously canceled by former-Governor Larry Hogan in 2015, is back on the table in Baltimore.

August 8, 2023 - The Daily Record

Purple GRTC bus stopped at a bus station with bench and shelter in Richmond, Virginia.

Only One Quarter of Richmond Bus Stops Have Benches, Shade

A recent report highlights the lack of safe infrastructure at the Virginia capital’s bus stops.

August 7, 2023 - Virginia Public Media

Blurred image of speeding DART light rain train in Dallas, Texas

How Extreme Heat Impacts Transit

Heat waves are causing damage and delays on commuter trains from New Jersey to Dallas.

August 4, 2023 - The Dallas Morning News

A diagram showing the street lanes for a proposed bus rapid transit route.

Fairfax County Makes Space for Bus Rapid Transit

A recent decision by the Fairfax, Virginia County Board of Supervisors will ensure that any widening of Route 7 will be reserved for bus rapid transit (BRT).

August 3, 2023 - FFX Now

Muni bus with bike on front bike rack on San Francisco street

Strategies for Speeding Up Bus Service

A new report will highlight solutions for making bus service faster, more reliable, and thus more attractive to riders.

August 1, 2023 - Streetsblog California

Houston Metro bus at a bus stop with bright blur cloudy sky in background

Houston Transit Could Lose a Tenth of Sales Tax Revenue

Agency officials say they will continue to make expansion plans in the face of a potentially dramatic reduction in funding.

August 1, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.