Jarrett Walker
@humantransit.bsky.social
Public transit planning consultant and commentator. Author of the book “Human Transit” and the blog HumanTransit.org. The consulting firm is jarrettwalker.com. Also obsessed with literature and plants.
Reposted by Jarrett Walker
"A FIFA spokesperson, when asked to justify the prices, told The Athletic that 'parking prices are determined based on local market conditions'..."
Good answer. I wish reporters would ask cities to justify below-cost prices that lead to overcrowded curbs & drivers circling in search of free parking
Good answer. I wish reporters would ask cities to justify below-cost prices that lead to overcrowded curbs & drivers circling in search of free parking
World Cup parking for $300? FIFA selling spots at L.A. games for more than tickets
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:35 AM
"A FIFA spokesperson, when asked to justify the prices, told The Athletic that 'parking prices are determined based on local market conditions'..."
Good answer. I wish reporters would ask cities to justify below-cost prices that lead to overcrowded curbs & drivers circling in search of free parking
Good answer. I wish reporters would ask cities to justify below-cost prices that lead to overcrowded curbs & drivers circling in search of free parking
A bus stop in Bogotá. Wherever I travel, I wonder whether the buses could be less complicated.
February 4, 2026 at 9:09 PM
A bus stop in Bogotá. Wherever I travel, I wonder whether the buses could be less complicated.
Hello, Colombia! I'll be in Bogotá all this week and then Medellín. First impressions:
¡Hola, Colombia! Estaré en Bogotá toda la semana y luego en Medellín. Primeras impresiones, en inglés y español.
humantransit.org/2026/02/hola...
¡Hola, Colombia! Estaré en Bogotá toda la semana y luego en Medellín. Primeras impresiones, en inglés y español.
humantransit.org/2026/02/hola...
¡Holá, Colombia! — Human Transit
(Español abajo.) It’s ridiculous that I’ve had a 34 year career encouraging good bus service in many parts of the world and yet had never been to Colombia. Finally, I have my chance. I’ll be in Bogot...
humantransit.org
February 2, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Hello, Colombia! I'll be in Bogotá all this week and then Medellín. First impressions:
¡Hola, Colombia! Estaré en Bogotá toda la semana y luego en Medellín. Primeras impresiones, en inglés y español.
humantransit.org/2026/02/hola...
¡Hola, Colombia! Estaré en Bogotá toda la semana y luego en Medellín. Primeras impresiones, en inglés y español.
humantransit.org/2026/02/hola...
La visión de Corbusier de "Torres en un parque" es totalmente realista, si no se dedica todo el suelo al estacionamiento. Calle 88, cerca de la carrera 12, Bogotá.
Corbusier's vision of "towers in a park" is entirely workable if you don't devote all the land to parking. Calle 88 near Carrera 12, Bogotá, Colombia.
February 1, 2026 at 4:23 PM
La visión de Corbusier de "Torres en un parque" es totalmente realista, si no se dedica todo el suelo al estacionamiento. Calle 88, cerca de la carrera 12, Bogotá.
Corbusier's vision of "towers in a park" is entirely workable if you don't devote all the land to parking. Calle 88 near Carrera 12, Bogotá, Colombia.
February 1, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Corbusier's vision of "towers in a park" is entirely workable if you don't devote all the land to parking. Calle 88 near Carrera 12, Bogotá, Colombia.
Some people will doubtless become homeless because of this. That will, of course, be blamed on big city mayors.
For Some Americans, the End of Obamacare Subsidies Means Falling Off a Financial Cliff www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
For Some Americans, the End of Obamacare Subsidies Means Falling Off a Financial Cliff www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
For Some Americans, the End of Obamacare Subsidies Means Falling Off a Financial Cliff
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Some people will doubtless become homeless because of this. That will, of course, be blamed on big city mayors.
For Some Americans, the End of Obamacare Subsidies Means Falling Off a Financial Cliff www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
For Some Americans, the End of Obamacare Subsidies Means Falling Off a Financial Cliff www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Things you don't have to worry about when using public transit.
January 31, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Things you don't have to worry about when using public transit.
Portland's transit crisis is getting bad. They're even talking about cutting all transit to a major hospital, @providence.
Yes, I know we have other crises. Leaders will have to multitask here.
My moderately deep dive:
humantransit.org/2026/01/port...
Yes, I know we have other crises. Leaders will have to multitask here.
My moderately deep dive:
humantransit.org/2026/01/port...
Portland: Dire Transit Service Cuts Planned — Human Transit
Very bad transit service cuts are coming to Portland. Just a couple of years ago, we worked with Portland’s TriMet to develop an ambitious service expansion plan called Forward Together. Now, the age...
humantransit.org
January 30, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Portland's transit crisis is getting bad. They're even talking about cutting all transit to a major hospital, @providence.
Yes, I know we have other crises. Leaders will have to multitask here.
My moderately deep dive:
humantransit.org/2026/01/port...
Yes, I know we have other crises. Leaders will have to multitask here.
My moderately deep dive:
humantransit.org/2026/01/port...
Free buses in New York? The NYU Marron Institute's Transit Costs Project suggests expanding the subway instead. (Federal funding also required!) transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
A Better Billion
transitcosts.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Free buses in New York? The NYU Marron Institute's Transit Costs Project suggests expanding the subway instead. (Federal funding also required!) transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
Portland's transit agency @trimet.org is proposing to delete all service within 1/4 mile of a major medical center!
They appear to be so broke that this, and many other dramatic cuts, are the least-bad option. My deep dive:
humantransit.org/2026/01/port...
Comment by this Sat 1/31! (Link in post)
They appear to be so broke that this, and many other dramatic cuts, are the least-bad option. My deep dive:
humantransit.org/2026/01/port...
Comment by this Sat 1/31! (Link in post)
Portland: Dire Transit Service Cuts Planned — Human Transit
Very bad transit service cuts are coming to Portland. Just a couple of years ago, we worked with Portland’s TriMet to develop an ambitious service expansion plan called Forward Together. Now, the age...
humantransit.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Portland's transit agency @trimet.org is proposing to delete all service within 1/4 mile of a major medical center!
They appear to be so broke that this, and many other dramatic cuts, are the least-bad option. My deep dive:
humantransit.org/2026/01/port...
Comment by this Sat 1/31! (Link in post)
They appear to be so broke that this, and many other dramatic cuts, are the least-bad option. My deep dive:
humantransit.org/2026/01/port...
Comment by this Sat 1/31! (Link in post)
Riding a 10 bus across SE Portland at 7:30 AM.
Before Covid, this bus would've gotten more crowded approaching downtown.
Now the load is constant with frequent turnover.
Demand for transit is still high but less centralized. Frequent bus grids excel at this.
Before Covid, this bus would've gotten more crowded approaching downtown.
Now the load is constant with frequent turnover.
Demand for transit is still high but less centralized. Frequent bus grids excel at this.
January 28, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Riding a 10 bus across SE Portland at 7:30 AM.
Before Covid, this bus would've gotten more crowded approaching downtown.
Now the load is constant with frequent turnover.
Demand for transit is still high but less centralized. Frequent bus grids excel at this.
Before Covid, this bus would've gotten more crowded approaching downtown.
Now the load is constant with frequent turnover.
Demand for transit is still high but less centralized. Frequent bus grids excel at this.
Magnificent paragraph on Minnesota by @adamserwer.bsky.social www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 27, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Magnificent paragraph on Minnesota by @adamserwer.bsky.social www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Job! We’re hiring entry level transit planners/analysts in Portland, OR or Arlington, VA. jarrettwalker.com/hiring/
Hiring — Jarrett Walker + Associates
Transit GIS analyst/planner
jarrettwalker.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Job! We’re hiring entry level transit planners/analysts in Portland, OR or Arlington, VA. jarrettwalker.com/hiring/
By the way, Canberra, Australia is a great example of a city with millions of cul-de-sacs that are almost always connected with ped/bike links. Most suburban areas have squiggly roads but reasonably direct bike/ped paths. A good 10 minutes geekout on Street View.
January 23, 2026 at 3:28 PM
By the way, Canberra, Australia is a great example of a city with millions of cul-de-sacs that are almost always connected with ped/bike links. Most suburban areas have squiggly roads but reasonably direct bike/ped paths. A good 10 minutes geekout on Street View.
In this photo, a little path connecting those two culdesacs would create SO much freedom and opportunity. This is an easy way to make suburban sprawl less tyrannical for the nonmotorized.
Photo from @mnolangray.bsky.social
Photo from @mnolangray.bsky.social
January 23, 2026 at 3:24 PM
In this photo, a little path connecting those two culdesacs would create SO much freedom and opportunity. This is an easy way to make suburban sprawl less tyrannical for the nonmotorized.
Photo from @mnolangray.bsky.social
Photo from @mnolangray.bsky.social
Why is crime declining so dramatically across the US? Henry Grabar credits Biden-era investments in crime prevention programs.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
The Great Crime Decline Is Happening All Across the Country
Even cities with understaffed police departments have made record gains.
www.theatlantic.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Why is crime declining so dramatically across the US? Henry Grabar credits Biden-era investments in crime prevention programs.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Jarrett Walker
I have mixed feelings about voters directly deciding via referendum how to enforce laws.
Voters could decide on banning traffic cameras in Arizona
www.fox10phoenix.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:41 PM
I have mixed feelings about voters directly deciding via referendum how to enforce laws.
Call it decongestion pricing.
Every place that’s implemented congestion pricing started the discussion with ”but that could never work here”. And then it does.
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
January 19, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Call it decongestion pricing.
Reposted by Jarrett Walker
Public transit agencies should be able to collect some of the land value that their stations create. Good, short article by Rick Rybeck explaining the "value capture" concept.
www.shareable.net/land-value-r...
www.shareable.net/land-value-r...
"Land value return" and building a more equitable economy
Rick Rybeck of Just Economics explains how land value return can be used to build a more equitable economy.
www.shareable.net
January 17, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Public transit agencies should be able to collect some of the land value that their stations create. Good, short article by Rick Rybeck explaining the "value capture" concept.
www.shareable.net/land-value-r...
www.shareable.net/land-value-r...
Richmond, VA widened bus stop spacing to nearly 1300 feet a few years ago as part of a redesign we did. Des Moines and Louisville are doing the same as part of projects of ours rolling out soon.
Bigger cities -- where the benefits of respacing are even greater -- should study these examples.
Bigger cities -- where the benefits of respacing are even greater -- should study these examples.
Increasing the distance between stops from 700–800 feet to 1,300 feet (typical spacing in Western Europe) can deliver faster service, better reliability, and more service with the same resources.
worksinprogress.co/issue/the-un...
worksinprogress.co/issue/the-un...
The United States needs fewer bus stops - Works in Progress Magazine
Bus stop balancing is fast, cheap, and effective. It can turn a service people tolerate into one they’re happy to use.
worksinprogress.co
January 17, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Richmond, VA widened bus stop spacing to nearly 1300 feet a few years ago as part of a redesign we did. Des Moines and Louisville are doing the same as part of projects of ours rolling out soon.
Bigger cities -- where the benefits of respacing are even greater -- should study these examples.
Bigger cities -- where the benefits of respacing are even greater -- should study these examples.
Why I've never found a good friendship in a bar.
I was recently chatted up by a friendly guy at a bar. When he asked what I "do," I told him I've been working on a book about how fake "self-driving" tech is killing people to make Elon Musk the richest man alive. He frowned. "People like fun stories," he said. 'You should write about Sasquatch."
This is the Bigfoot read I didn't know I needed from @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social
January 17, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Why I've never found a good friendship in a bar.
One of them most underrated books I know in speculative fiction is Kim Stanley Robinson's The Years of Rice and Salt. It's an alternative history: what if the Black Death in the 1340s had killed 99% of Europeans instead of just a third? Also, a very comic take on Buddhism. Beautiful simple prose.
January 16, 2026 at 6:39 PM
One of them most underrated books I know in speculative fiction is Kim Stanley Robinson's The Years of Rice and Salt. It's an alternative history: what if the Black Death in the 1340s had killed 99% of Europeans instead of just a third? Also, a very comic take on Buddhism. Beautiful simple prose.
Reading note: Just failed once again to discover the magic of Terry Pratchett. Read first half of Circle of Magic and am just bored by his cleverness. Send help. There must be something wrong with me.
Science fiction writer Orson Scott Card highlights the special attraction of prose where the author disappears into the story instead of constantly dazzling us with their cleverness. 1/3
January 16, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Reading note: Just failed once again to discover the magic of Terry Pratchett. Read first half of Circle of Magic and am just bored by his cleverness. Send help. There must be something wrong with me.