Benjamin Schneider
@benschneider.bsky.social
Journalist covering housing, transit and rail. Writing in CityLab, Fast Company and on Substack.
"The Unfinished Metropolis" out now: https://shorturl.at/PInVb
"The Unfinished Metropolis" out now: https://shorturl.at/PInVb
Pinned
The Unfinished Metropolis: Igniting the City-Building Revolution
www.amazon.com
American cities have stagnated. Residential neighborhoods, transportation systems, and commercial districts have changed little in 50+ years.
My new book, "The Unfinished Metropolis," explores how that happened — and how to fix it.
Preorder now: shorturl.at/PInVb
My new book, "The Unfinished Metropolis," explores how that happened — and how to fix it.
Preorder now: shorturl.at/PInVb
I’ve always felt like there’s something missing in the cultural discourse on post-industrial neighborhoods.
Yes, they can embody the cringiest aspects of gentrification, as South Park so eloquently captured in its “SoDoSoPa” episode.
BUT...
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/whats-the-...
Yes, they can embody the cringiest aspects of gentrification, as South Park so eloquently captured in its “SoDoSoPa” episode.
BUT...
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/whats-the-...
What's the matter with SoDoSoPa?
Post-industrial neighborhoods can be cringey. But they're also a reflection of urbanites' needs — and government's failure to meet them.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:18 PM
I’ve always felt like there’s something missing in the cultural discourse on post-industrial neighborhoods.
Yes, they can embody the cringiest aspects of gentrification, as South Park so eloquently captured in its “SoDoSoPa” episode.
BUT...
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/whats-the-...
Yes, they can embody the cringiest aspects of gentrification, as South Park so eloquently captured in its “SoDoSoPa” episode.
BUT...
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/whats-the-...
This intuitively seems like a good idea, but it would be helpful to see more technical analysis.
The Antelope Valley Line is old and largely single tracked and in very mountainous terrain. How would that affect the ability to run electrified HSR, even at relatively slow speeds?
The Antelope Valley Line is old and largely single tracked and in very mountainous terrain. How would that affect the ability to run electrified HSR, even at relatively slow speeds?
Guest opinion: Electrify the Metrolink Antelope Valley Line (L.A. to Palmdale at least) for an initial relatively cheap high-speed rail connection. cal.streetsblog.org/2026/01/29/o...
OpEd: How High-Speed Rail Could Reach LA by 2039...Without Waiting for the Mountains - Streetsblog California
California high-speed rail’s biggest unresolved problem is not in the Central Valley. It is south of Palmdale. Under current plans, high-speed trains are expected to reach San Francisco by 2039 while ...
cal.streetsblog.org
February 2, 2026 at 11:41 PM
This intuitively seems like a good idea, but it would be helpful to see more technical analysis.
The Antelope Valley Line is old and largely single tracked and in very mountainous terrain. How would that affect the ability to run electrified HSR, even at relatively slow speeds?
The Antelope Valley Line is old and largely single tracked and in very mountainous terrain. How would that affect the ability to run electrified HSR, even at relatively slow speeds?
The most interesting aspect of this report isn't the free buses vs. subway expansion tradeoff.
It's the call to resurrect NYC's old growth model, where subway expansions powered housing booms. That, researchers say, is the real recipe for longterm affordability.
My coverage in @bloomberg.com:
It's the call to resurrect NYC's old growth model, where subway expansions powered housing booms. That, researchers say, is the real recipe for longterm affordability.
My coverage in @bloomberg.com:
Forget Free NYC Buses: Just Build 41 Miles of New Subways
Fare-free bus service in New York City would cost around $1 billion per year. A new report proposes spending that on a “transformative” transit expansion instead.
www.bloomberg.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:07 PM
The most interesting aspect of this report isn't the free buses vs. subway expansion tradeoff.
It's the call to resurrect NYC's old growth model, where subway expansions powered housing booms. That, researchers say, is the real recipe for longterm affordability.
My coverage in @bloomberg.com:
It's the call to resurrect NYC's old growth model, where subway expansions powered housing booms. That, researchers say, is the real recipe for longterm affordability.
My coverage in @bloomberg.com:
It was a pleasure to speak with @bentongraham.bsky.social about passenger rail in the US.
We discussed what makes the Northeast Corridor so (relatively) successful, what can be accomplished on other publicly-owned rail lines, and, of course, what’s going on with CAHSR.
We discussed what makes the Northeast Corridor so (relatively) successful, what can be accomplished on other publicly-owned rail lines, and, of course, what’s going on with CAHSR.
January 2026: An interview with Ben Schneider
QOTM: “I think you can find optimism in any moment if you look hard enough.”
substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:28 PM
It was a pleasure to speak with @bentongraham.bsky.social about passenger rail in the US.
We discussed what makes the Northeast Corridor so (relatively) successful, what can be accomplished on other publicly-owned rail lines, and, of course, what’s going on with CAHSR.
We discussed what makes the Northeast Corridor so (relatively) successful, what can be accomplished on other publicly-owned rail lines, and, of course, what’s going on with CAHSR.
Automated through-running super-express metro systems get the goods
Paris' Metro Line 14 is now the system's most-used, with 820,000 riders/day (above Line 1, with 750,000/day). Line 14 is expected to increase to 1 million riders/day once Lines 15, 16, 17, & 18 open in the coming years.
www.lesechos.fr
January 29, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Automated through-running super-express metro systems get the goods
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
The federal money for the Second Avenue subway is also still frozen, and the MTA will be unable to award the next project if the money isn’t flowing by March nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/01/28/t...
'Gateway' Drug: Trump Is Holding the Second Avenue Subway Hostage - Streetsblog New York City
Trump's decision to suspend federal funds for New York City's Second Avenue Subway threatens the future of the transit expansion.
nyc.streetsblog.org
January 28, 2026 at 1:24 PM
The federal money for the Second Avenue subway is also still frozen, and the MTA will be unable to award the next project if the money isn’t flowing by March nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/01/28/t...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
A good corollary to the Transportation for America's piece on moonshot transit investment from 2 weeks ago is Eno's piece from today on predictability in passenger rail investment.
enotrans.org/wp-content/u...
enotrans.org/wp-content/u...
January 27, 2026 at 8:34 PM
A good corollary to the Transportation for America's piece on moonshot transit investment from 2 weeks ago is Eno's piece from today on predictability in passenger rail investment.
enotrans.org/wp-content/u...
enotrans.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
That’s not to say I do or don’t agree with the whole list, which is why I said it’s food for thought. But “What would a coherent national transit expansion program look like?” isn’t a question I find most people asking, perhaps because the US hasn’t thought in those terms in a long time.
January 26, 2026 at 4:42 PM
That’s not to say I do or don’t agree with the whole list, which is why I said it’s food for thought. But “What would a coherent national transit expansion program look like?” isn’t a question I find most people asking, perhaps because the US hasn’t thought in those terms in a long time.
There's always a risk of infrastructure fetishism with transit advocacy. And every transit project should be coupled with better land use as a rule.
But I think @nilo.bsky.social is understating the number of big projects in the US that would serve extant travel demand. It's not just NYC...
But I think @nilo.bsky.social is understating the number of big projects in the US that would serve extant travel demand. It's not just NYC...
There are basically two types of transit projects in the USA.
1. NYC, wherein projects are based on meeting pretty clear extant demand (there are a few others like Geary in SF in here)
2. Everything else where the benefits are smaller and more speculative and need better land use.
1. NYC, wherein projects are based on meeting pretty clear extant demand (there are a few others like Geary in SF in here)
2. Everything else where the benefits are smaller and more speculative and need better land use.
January 27, 2026 at 2:45 PM
There's always a risk of infrastructure fetishism with transit advocacy. And every transit project should be coupled with better land use as a rule.
But I think @nilo.bsky.social is understating the number of big projects in the US that would serve extant travel demand. It's not just NYC...
But I think @nilo.bsky.social is understating the number of big projects in the US that would serve extant travel demand. It's not just NYC...
Will America build transit using the latest design best practices, like automation, electrification and through-running service?
Or will it continue to build slow, at-grade light rail lines; infrequent diesel commuter trains; and short, impossibly expensive heavy rail subway extensions?
Or will it continue to build slow, at-grade light rail lines; infrequent diesel commuter trains; and short, impossibly expensive heavy rail subway extensions?
What should America’s transit ‘moonshot’ look like?
The nation doesn’t just need more transit. It needs to build faster, more advanced transit in the places with the highest ridership potential.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Will America build transit using the latest design best practices, like automation, electrification and through-running service?
Or will it continue to build slow, at-grade light rail lines; infrequent diesel commuter trains; and short, impossibly expensive heavy rail subway extensions?
Or will it continue to build slow, at-grade light rail lines; infrequent diesel commuter trains; and short, impossibly expensive heavy rail subway extensions?
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
New White House ballroom details just dropped: At the request of Donald Trump a new portico and pediment was added, with more Corinthian columns than the Treasury Building or Supreme Court. With this addition the ballroom appears to be taller than the White House
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
White House Ballroom Architect Reveals New Trump-Requested Features
The latest design plans include a new colonnade on the West Wing side.
www.bloomberg.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:37 PM
New White House ballroom details just dropped: At the request of Donald Trump a new portico and pediment was added, with more Corinthian columns than the Treasury Building or Supreme Court. With this addition the ballroom appears to be taller than the White House
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
It's notable to see MTA chairman Janno Lieber complimenting the new generation of transit advocacy groups, which have sometimes been a thorn in his side.
In my story on the IBX, I noted how these groups appear to be having a real impact on the project's design.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
In my story on the IBX, I noted how these groups appear to be having a real impact on the project's design.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
January 22, 2026 at 6:58 PM
It's notable to see MTA chairman Janno Lieber complimenting the new generation of transit advocacy groups, which have sometimes been a thorn in his side.
In my story on the IBX, I noted how these groups appear to be having a real impact on the project's design.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
In my story on the IBX, I noted how these groups appear to be having a real impact on the project's design.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Brightline is in such a bizarre state. Ridership is booming but its finances are in shambles.
It's really hard to run a profitable railroad, especially when you have to pay back construction debt.
www.planetizen.com/news/2026/01...
It's really hard to run a profitable railroad, especially when you have to pay back construction debt.
www.planetizen.com/news/2026/01...
January 17, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Brightline is in such a bizarre state. Ridership is booming but its finances are in shambles.
It's really hard to run a profitable railroad, especially when you have to pay back construction debt.
www.planetizen.com/news/2026/01...
It's really hard to run a profitable railroad, especially when you have to pay back construction debt.
www.planetizen.com/news/2026/01...
Seattle's light rail has been so successful — 24% more riders than pre-COVID — because it acts like a heavy rail metro, offering faster-than-driving speeds between the city's busiest neighborhoods.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
January 16, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Seattle's light rail has been so successful — 24% more riders than pre-COVID — because it acts like a heavy rail metro, offering faster-than-driving speeds between the city's busiest neighborhoods.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
Preliminary data about NYC Subway's 125th St extension from report released yesterday from @mta.info: www.mta.info/document/196...
—Project would attract ~164,000 daily boardings
—Stations would be deep to get under existing lines
—Project estimated at $7.7 b (2027$)
—Earliest revenue service 2032
—Project would attract ~164,000 daily boardings
—Stations would be deep to get under existing lines
—Project estimated at $7.7 b (2027$)
—Earliest revenue service 2032
January 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Preliminary data about NYC Subway's 125th St extension from report released yesterday from @mta.info: www.mta.info/document/196...
—Project would attract ~164,000 daily boardings
—Stations would be deep to get under existing lines
—Project estimated at $7.7 b (2027$)
—Earliest revenue service 2032
—Project would attract ~164,000 daily boardings
—Stations would be deep to get under existing lines
—Project estimated at $7.7 b (2027$)
—Earliest revenue service 2032
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
LA Metro has selected an automated subway connecting the San Fernando Valley and West LA as its preferred design for the Sepulveda transit project.
They project 2.5 min peak frequencies and a travel time of 10 min or less for the initial segment.
thesource.metro.net/metro-board-...
They project 2.5 min peak frequencies and a travel time of 10 min or less for the initial segment.
thesource.metro.net/metro-board-...
January 12, 2026 at 2:02 PM
LA Metro has selected an automated subway connecting the San Fernando Valley and West LA as its preferred design for the Sepulveda transit project.
They project 2.5 min peak frequencies and a travel time of 10 min or less for the initial segment.
thesource.metro.net/metro-board-...
They project 2.5 min peak frequencies and a travel time of 10 min or less for the initial segment.
thesource.metro.net/metro-board-...
Gov. Hochul's SEQRA reforms appear very similar to the CEQA reforms California passed last year.
This looks more and more like the new Democratic playbook: Don't let environmental laws block things that are good for people and the environment.
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
This looks more and more like the new Democratic playbook: Don't let environmental laws block things that are good for people and the environment.
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Exclusive | New York State to Loosen Environmental Rules to Speed Up Homebuilding
The review process can add two years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs to housing projects.
www.wsj.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Gov. Hochul's SEQRA reforms appear very similar to the CEQA reforms California passed last year.
This looks more and more like the new Democratic playbook: Don't let environmental laws block things that are good for people and the environment.
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
This looks more and more like the new Democratic playbook: Don't let environmental laws block things that are good for people and the environment.
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
A huge, transformative project that, if delivered, would be the first consistent expansion of the New York City subway system since about WWII.
Governor Hochul will announce an extension of the Second Avenue Subway to 125th and Broadway in her State of the State address on Tuesday. buff.ly/2qxRQs6
Westward Ho! Hochul Proposes to Extend Second Ave. Subway Along 125th Street to Broadway - Streetsblog New York City
The next step for the Second Avenue Subway is west across 125th Street to Broadway, Gov. Hochul will announce Tuesday.
nyc.streetsblog.org
January 13, 2026 at 2:10 PM
A huge, transformative project that, if delivered, would be the first consistent expansion of the New York City subway system since about WWII.
Very excited for my virtual talk with SPUR's Laura Tolkoff tomorrow at 12:30 Pacific.
Register here:
www.spur.org/events/2026-...
Register here:
www.spur.org/events/2026-...
The Unfinished Metropolis: Rethinking How We Build Cities
Join SPUR for a conversation with Benjamin Schneider, author of The Unfinished Metropolis, moderated by SPUR’s Transportation Policy Director, Laura Tolkoff. Schneider’s book explores how the built en...
www.spur.org
January 12, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Very excited for my virtual talk with SPUR's Laura Tolkoff tomorrow at 12:30 Pacific.
Register here:
www.spur.org/events/2026-...
Register here:
www.spur.org/events/2026-...
LA Metro has selected an automated subway connecting the San Fernando Valley and West LA as its preferred design for the Sepulveda transit project.
They project 2.5 min peak frequencies and a travel time of 10 min or less for the initial segment.
thesource.metro.net/metro-board-...
They project 2.5 min peak frequencies and a travel time of 10 min or less for the initial segment.
thesource.metro.net/metro-board-...
January 12, 2026 at 2:02 PM
LA Metro has selected an automated subway connecting the San Fernando Valley and West LA as its preferred design for the Sepulveda transit project.
They project 2.5 min peak frequencies and a travel time of 10 min or less for the initial segment.
thesource.metro.net/metro-board-...
They project 2.5 min peak frequencies and a travel time of 10 min or less for the initial segment.
thesource.metro.net/metro-board-...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
LA Metro is moving forward what @benschneider.bsky.social called in 2024 "America's most exciting transit project": a 13.8-mile fully automated Sepulveda Corridor metro from the Valley to UCLA and Wilshire. Travel times end-to-end would be 18 minutes or less.
January 10, 2026 at 6:50 PM
LA Metro is moving forward what @benschneider.bsky.social called in 2024 "America's most exciting transit project": a 13.8-mile fully automated Sepulveda Corridor metro from the Valley to UCLA and Wilshire. Travel times end-to-end would be 18 minutes or less.
Glad to see Jersey City's housing boom getting covered in the NYT.
It's a good overview but it misses some important dynamics that I came across in my reporting on Jersey City housing for Vital City last year.
Thread:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/...
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/le...
It's a good overview but it misses some important dynamics that I came across in my reporting on Jersey City housing for Vital City last year.
Thread:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/...
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/le...
Vital City | Learning from Jersey City
This small city is picking up the slack for the rest of the New York metro area, but its growth spurt is not without growing pains.
www.vitalcitynyc.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Glad to see Jersey City's housing boom getting covered in the NYT.
It's a good overview but it misses some important dynamics that I came across in my reporting on Jersey City housing for Vital City last year.
Thread:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/...
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/le...
It's a good overview but it misses some important dynamics that I came across in my reporting on Jersey City housing for Vital City last year.
Thread:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/...
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/le...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
The double standard between what Brightline is expected to scope and what a public transit agency is expected to scope is absolutely jaw dropping.
The government may be more responsible than the operator
America’s most novel train project is too deadly
The government may be more responsible than the operator
econ.st
January 8, 2026 at 6:37 PM
The double standard between what Brightline is expected to scope and what a public transit agency is expected to scope is absolutely jaw dropping.
Two years ago, I wrote a piece praising LA’s bold initiatives on housing and transportation.
Since then, many of those policies have been watered down, ignored, or simply haven’t worked as well as predicted.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/cp/183713062
Since then, many of those policies have been watered down, ignored, or simply haven’t worked as well as predicted.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/cp/183713062
LA's Urban Future
An updated look at LA's transit expansion with Benjamin Schneider.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Two years ago, I wrote a piece praising LA’s bold initiatives on housing and transportation.
Since then, many of those policies have been watered down, ignored, or simply haven’t worked as well as predicted.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/cp/183713062
Since then, many of those policies have been watered down, ignored, or simply haven’t worked as well as predicted.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/cp/183713062
Thought provoking thread on the big picture of AV safety.
This point on the cultural/psychological dimension of AVs is really underexplored.
Who chooses to ride in AVs, and who chooses to keep driving, will have a huge impact on safety outcomes.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/the-freudi...
This point on the cultural/psychological dimension of AVs is really underexplored.
Who chooses to ride in AVs, and who chooses to keep driving, will have a huge impact on safety outcomes.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/the-freudi...
January 6, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Thought provoking thread on the big picture of AV safety.
This point on the cultural/psychological dimension of AVs is really underexplored.
Who chooses to ride in AVs, and who chooses to keep driving, will have a huge impact on safety outcomes.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/the-freudi...
This point on the cultural/psychological dimension of AVs is really underexplored.
Who chooses to ride in AVs, and who chooses to keep driving, will have a huge impact on safety outcomes.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/the-freudi...