Franklin Tang
@27a01.bsky.social
Reposted by Franklin Tang
✨ introducing… ✨
🌇 Transportation for the Abundant Society 🚅
"Abundance" says our problem is artificial scarcity—especially housing. But you can’t build your way out if transportation policy still treats traffic flow as sacred.
Transportation is the binding constraint. ssrn.com/abstract=538...
🌇 Transportation for the Abundant Society 🚅
"Abundance" says our problem is artificial scarcity—especially housing. But you can’t build your way out if transportation policy still treats traffic flow as sacred.
Transportation is the binding constraint. ssrn.com/abstract=538...
February 11, 2026 at 4:27 PM
✨ introducing… ✨
🌇 Transportation for the Abundant Society 🚅
"Abundance" says our problem is artificial scarcity—especially housing. But you can’t build your way out if transportation policy still treats traffic flow as sacred.
Transportation is the binding constraint. ssrn.com/abstract=538...
🌇 Transportation for the Abundant Society 🚅
"Abundance" says our problem is artificial scarcity—especially housing. But you can’t build your way out if transportation policy still treats traffic flow as sacred.
Transportation is the binding constraint. ssrn.com/abstract=538...
Reposted by Franklin Tang
Some questions I ask whenever I see a crayon like this:
Sacramento deserves a regional rail system. What would it take to build it?
February 8, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Some questions I ask whenever I see a crayon like this:
I don't think we wrote it to be synergistic in the first place.
February 3, 2026 at 4:35 PM
I don't think we wrote it to be synergistic in the first place.
Hi Zohran, we at the Transit Cost Project just published a report planning for how the New York City can build affordable housing and good transit together - all year long, for 40 years.
Let's plan a city that plans for the future, together.
transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
Let's plan a city that plans for the future, together.
transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
February 3, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Hi Zohran, we at the Transit Cost Project just published a report planning for how the New York City can build affordable housing and good transit together - all year long, for 40 years.
Let's plan a city that plans for the future, together.
transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
Let's plan a city that plans for the future, together.
transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
February 2, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Franklin Tang
I am now off the clock, so I am officially, formally, incredibly thrilled that 'A Better Billion' is now in the world. And it's absolutely surreal to help with something that ends up with a feature in The New York Times. -- transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
A Better Billion
transitcosts.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:38 PM
I am now off the clock, so I am officially, formally, incredibly thrilled that 'A Better Billion' is now in the world. And it's absolutely surreal to help with something that ends up with a feature in The New York Times. -- transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
It has been fun working on the A Better Billion project over the last couple of months. You can check out the full StoryMap here: transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
Also the gift article link to the NYT coverage of our plan;
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/n...
Also the gift article link to the NYT coverage of our plan;
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/n...
Free Buses? How About Expanding the Subway by 41 Miles Instead?
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:23 PM
It has been fun working on the A Better Billion project over the last couple of months. You can check out the full StoryMap here: transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
Also the gift article link to the NYT coverage of our plan;
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/n...
Also the gift article link to the NYT coverage of our plan;
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/n...
This "beigeness"accompanied me through high school 🙃
"It is rare in Canadian architecture for a building to embrace colour."
This piece by @alexbozikovic.bsky.social made me think about the movie "Universal Language" and how well it depicted that particular characteristic of a certain Canadian architecture that I call "beigeness"
This piece by @alexbozikovic.bsky.social made me think about the movie "Universal Language" and how well it depicted that particular characteristic of a certain Canadian architecture that I call "beigeness"
January 27, 2026 at 7:21 PM
This "beigeness"accompanied me through high school 🙃
Line 5 and 6 can be the prime examples of Jumping-out-hole-we-dug-for-oursevles-ism. I still remember the time when I saw the TTC getting award for best transit system in NA (2017-ish).
H(C)opium: maybe Line 3 can avoid these pitfalls and try to build a REM-esque service in Toronto.
H(C)opium: maybe Line 3 can avoid these pitfalls and try to build a REM-esque service in Toronto.
For people not familiar with the matter: any tram line I'm aware of globally works in so-called "line-of-sight", i.e. it's 100% manually operated by the driver with some protection for single track and switches
None use PTO signaling (i.e. that enforce max speed), except on off-street sections
None use PTO signaling (i.e. that enforce max speed), except on off-street sections
We’ve blown hundreds of millions on a “high performance” signalling system meant for separated railways, that, on a streetcar, simply imposes a more conservative operating regime. Why?
- “Safety never stops so we need the safest signalling ever!”
- “LRT is rapid transit, just like the subway!”
- “Safety never stops so we need the safest signalling ever!”
- “LRT is rapid transit, just like the subway!”
December 15, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Line 5 and 6 can be the prime examples of Jumping-out-hole-we-dug-for-oursevles-ism. I still remember the time when I saw the TTC getting award for best transit system in NA (2017-ish).
H(C)opium: maybe Line 3 can avoid these pitfalls and try to build a REM-esque service in Toronto.
H(C)opium: maybe Line 3 can avoid these pitfalls and try to build a REM-esque service in Toronto.
Reposted by Franklin Tang
I wrote a thing.
Build trams, but build them well.
Understanding what tramways are, what they do best and how to employ them.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Build trams, but build them well.
Understanding what tramways are, what they do best and how to employ them.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Build trams. But build them well.
Understanding what tramways are, what they do best and how to employ them.
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:07 AM
I wrote a thing.
Build trams, but build them well.
Understanding what tramways are, what they do best and how to employ them.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Build trams, but build them well.
Understanding what tramways are, what they do best and how to employ them.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Bill C-15 for Toronto-Quebec City High-Speed Rail (TQHSR) has been tabled for first reading in the Canadian Parliament.
www.parl.ca/DocumentView...
www.parl.ca/DocumentView...
Government Bill (House of Commons) C-15 (45-1) - First Reading - Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1 - Parliament of Canada
Government Bill (House of Commons) C-15 (45-1) - First Reading - Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1 - Parliament of Canada
www.parl.ca
November 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Bill C-15 for Toronto-Quebec City High-Speed Rail (TQHSR) has been tabled for first reading in the Canadian Parliament.
www.parl.ca/DocumentView...
www.parl.ca/DocumentView...
Reposted by Franklin Tang
Reposted by Franklin Tang
It's an honor and pleasure to be named to City & State's "2025" Unsung Heroes" list. I have to also shout out the amazing volunteers at QueensLink who make it look easy when it's not.
www.cityandstateny.com/power-lists/...
www.cityandstateny.com/power-lists/...
The 2025 Unsung Heroes
Notable New Yorkers achieving success behind the scenes
www.cityandstateny.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:05 PM
It's an honor and pleasure to be named to City & State's "2025" Unsung Heroes" list. I have to also shout out the amazing volunteers at QueensLink who make it look easy when it's not.
www.cityandstateny.com/power-lists/...
www.cityandstateny.com/power-lists/...
Reposted by Franklin Tang
New Marron survey of 400+ subway lines across the world from London to Paris to Shanghai finds just 6% still use two-person train operation, which would be required by a TWU-backed bill.
“It doesn’t really matter to us what the data shows,” says TWU boss Samuelsen
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/n...
“It doesn’t really matter to us what the data shows,” says TWU boss Samuelsen
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/n...
Does the Subway Still Need Train Conductors?
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:06 PM
New Marron survey of 400+ subway lines across the world from London to Paris to Shanghai finds just 6% still use two-person train operation, which would be required by a TWU-backed bill.
“It doesn’t really matter to us what the data shows,” says TWU boss Samuelsen
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/n...
“It doesn’t really matter to us what the data shows,” says TWU boss Samuelsen
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/n...
Reposted by Franklin Tang
We dropped a new report re: train operations, everyone’s favorite topic. There’s some backstory that we will get too. But, the basic takeaway is modern train systems have moved away from two-person train ops. New York should, too! transitcosts.com/Train_Operat...
transitcosts.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:44 PM
We dropped a new report re: train operations, everyone’s favorite topic. There’s some backstory that we will get too. But, the basic takeaway is modern train systems have moved away from two-person train ops. New York should, too! transitcosts.com/Train_Operat...
↓Mood for the rest of the day
November 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
↓Mood for the rest of the day
@ndhapple.bsky.social
Hey look they are looking to make the descendant of the traincar in our acceleration curves tables
Hey look they are looking to make the descendant of the traincar in our acceleration curves tables
The spec may be a behemoth at 1500 pages, but the RFP explicitly allows for alternate designs & standards (including aluminum!) to cast the widest possible net of rolling stock platforms. SEPTA is leaving no stone unturned
November 6, 2025 at 9:42 PM
@ndhapple.bsky.social
Hey look they are looking to make the descendant of the traincar in our acceleration curves tables
Hey look they are looking to make the descendant of the traincar in our acceleration curves tables
If only we have some land-based alternative that can move a lot more people on a dedicated alignment...
You know, to compensate for the loss in flying capacity...especially for this route, too.
You know, to compensate for the loss in flying capacity...especially for this route, too.
United starting to post its Trump Flight Cancelations for Friday and the #CursedRoute is taking a 50% hit.
“Your flight is canceled due to FAA-mandated airspace restrictions during the government shutdown.“
“Your flight is canceled due to FAA-mandated airspace restrictions during the government shutdown.“
November 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM
If only we have some land-based alternative that can move a lot more people on a dedicated alignment...
You know, to compensate for the loss in flying capacity...especially for this route, too.
You know, to compensate for the loss in flying capacity...especially for this route, too.
Reposted by Franklin Tang
Scared about kill switches in buses Norway bought from China?
How about trains in Poland with something similar but even more malevolent 👇
jonworth.eu/newags-digit...
Ah no, not China, so doesn't generate the same fuss 🤷♂️
How about trains in Poland with something similar but even more malevolent 👇
jonworth.eu/newags-digit...
Ah no, not China, so doesn't generate the same fuss 🤷♂️
NEWAG's digital sabotage of Koleje Dolnośląskie (Dolny Śląsk) trains - what were they thinking? - Jon Worth
In the past couple of days, my Mastodon feed has been full of astonishment about how three Polish IT specialists discovered digital sabotage attempts in trains built by manufacturer NEWAG. The origina...
jonworth.eu
November 6, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Scared about kill switches in buses Norway bought from China?
How about trains in Poland with something similar but even more malevolent 👇
jonworth.eu/newags-digit...
Ah no, not China, so doesn't generate the same fuss 🤷♂️
How about trains in Poland with something similar but even more malevolent 👇
jonworth.eu/newags-digit...
Ah no, not China, so doesn't generate the same fuss 🤷♂️
Reposted by Franklin Tang
I've done something that I don't do very often. I wrote a short, quick polemic post. It was prompted by a discussion in here.
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Why I’m still skeptical about ALTO’s HSR project
A reality check and a plea for transparency.
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I've done something that I don't do very often. I wrote a short, quick polemic post. It was prompted by a discussion in here.
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
The Canadian 2025 budget tabled by the Carney administration, describes the Alto HSR project in a very specific, defined goal.
The full budget can be found here budget.canada.ca/2025/home-ac...
1/thread
The full budget can be found here budget.canada.ca/2025/home-ac...
1/thread
November 5, 2025 at 5:17 AM
The Canadian 2025 budget tabled by the Carney administration, describes the Alto HSR project in a very specific, defined goal.
The full budget can be found here budget.canada.ca/2025/home-ac...
1/thread
The full budget can be found here budget.canada.ca/2025/home-ac...
1/thread
Reposted by Franklin Tang
You know what? A better city is possible.
November 5, 2025 at 2:15 AM
You know what? A better city is possible.
Reposted by Franklin Tang
I finally completed my second long form post dedicated to the problem of High Speed Rail and the city, or "who goes with whom in the puzzle of traffic separation around large urban areas?"
I hope you enjoy.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
I hope you enjoy.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
The High Speed Rail and the city - part 2
More tracks, but for whom? The case of the Bologna-Castel Bolognese fast quad-tracking and the problem of disentangling mixed traffic.
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:33 PM
I finally completed my second long form post dedicated to the problem of High Speed Rail and the city, or "who goes with whom in the puzzle of traffic separation around large urban areas?"
I hope you enjoy.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
I hope you enjoy.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
The NEW, interactive website for our NEC report (by @alonlevy.bsky.social) is ready!
nec.transitcosts.com
nec.transitcosts.com
How to Build High-Speed Rail on the Northeast Corridor
An interactive site presenting the North East Corridor proposal by Marron Institute's Transportation and Land Use Group, authored by Alon Levy.
nec.transitcosts.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The NEW, interactive website for our NEC report (by @alonlevy.bsky.social) is ready!
nec.transitcosts.com
nec.transitcosts.com
Reposted by Franklin Tang
We will discuss free buses for at least the next year! Free buses are okay. Faster, more frequent buses and a more expansive fair fares is better. Let’s translate @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social’s enthusiasm for buses into real change in the next administration: www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
Should the bus be free? Transit advocates are divided
"Free buses" is one of the big ideas that helped Zohran Mamdani win the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City. But the track record in cities that have stopped collecting fares is mixed.
www.npr.org
October 16, 2025 at 10:33 PM
We will discuss free buses for at least the next year! Free buses are okay. Faster, more frequent buses and a more expansive fair fares is better. Let’s translate @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social’s enthusiasm for buses into real change in the next administration: www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...