James Pizzurro
@jamespizzurro.com
Software engineer. Newly-minted Toronto resident by way of Baltimore, Washington DC, and parts beyond. Advocate for people-oriented places. Amateur cocktail guy. Side project: ARIES for Transit (ariesfortransit.com).
Pinned
James Pizzurro
@jamespizzurro.com
· May 1
Greetings from Old Toronto! I'll be living and working here for a while. Excited to explore a new city, province, and country. 😊
Americans, Baltimoreans: I'll be back to visit soon.
Canadians, Torontonians: Thank you in advance for your hospitality and patience as a guest here.
Americans, Baltimoreans: I'll be back to visit soon.
Canadians, Torontonians: Thank you in advance for your hospitality and patience as a guest here.
Reposted by James Pizzurro
In pedestrian crashes, the story rarely refers to the driver, only the car as if it is an AV. But when an actual AV is hit then there is a driver. Fascinating.
www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
Officials showed off a robo-bus in D.C. It got hit by a Tesla driver.
A Beep automated shuttle bus displayed by the U.S. Department of Transportation in D.C. this week got into a collision with a driver on H Street.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 17, 2026 at 1:10 PM
In pedestrian crashes, the story rarely refers to the driver, only the car as if it is an AV. But when an actual AV is hit then there is a driver. Fascinating.
www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
so, which state is gonna be the first to not make federal grant repayments or give the feds taxes collected from state employees?
Trump: "Starting February 1, we're not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities"
January 13, 2026 at 8:25 PM
so, which state is gonna be the first to not make federal grant repayments or give the feds taxes collected from state employees?
I remember learning in my high school macroeconomics class that the independence of the central banking system of the United States is considered the cornerstone of the country's financial markets, so I'm sure this is fine. 🫠
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell
YouTube video by Federal Reserve
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:06 PM
I remember learning in my high school macroeconomics class that the independence of the central banking system of the United States is considered the cornerstone of the country's financial markets, so I'm sure this is fine. 🫠
friendly reminder that it's okay to not watch the various videos circulating on social media of an ICE agent murdering someone, but that is in fact what happened
January 7, 2026 at 7:52 PM
friendly reminder that it's okay to not watch the various videos circulating on social media of an ICE agent murdering someone, but that is in fact what happened
Reposted by James Pizzurro
"it’s about fleecing people without representation"
Incredibly unselfconscious statement from a Congressperson from another state seeking to override the will of DC voters who have had traffic cameras since 1999 and have no vote in Congress
Incredibly unselfconscious statement from a Congressperson from another state seeking to override the will of DC voters who have had traffic cameras since 1999 and have no vote in Congress
January 7, 2026 at 6:45 PM
"it’s about fleecing people without representation"
Incredibly unselfconscious statement from a Congressperson from another state seeking to override the will of DC voters who have had traffic cameras since 1999 and have no vote in Congress
Incredibly unselfconscious statement from a Congressperson from another state seeking to override the will of DC voters who have had traffic cameras since 1999 and have no vote in Congress
Reposted by James Pizzurro
It takes an enormous amount of courage to stand there, keep filming, and scream "What the fuck, you asshole" at someone wearing a badge who just shot and killed one of your neighbors in cold blood.
I need people to wrap their minds around the fact that here in Minneapolis, ICE broke the window of a vehicle yesterday, pepper sprayed the occupants, and arrested them, and shot another observer in the face today, and OBSERVERS ARE STILL GOING OUT TO PROTECT THEIR NEIGHBORS AT MASSIVE PERSONAL RISK
I’m eating lunch, I’m having a panic attack, I’m charging my phone, and then I’m going back out to try and keep my neighborhood safe.
January 7, 2026 at 6:13 PM
It takes an enormous amount of courage to stand there, keep filming, and scream "What the fuck, you asshole" at someone wearing a badge who just shot and killed one of your neighbors in cold blood.
There's almost always money for governments to fund what they value, whether it be for transit or anything else; what governments have or generate the political will to fund shows what they value.
That's it for deputations, now the commissioners get to ask questions to staff! Some citizen commissioners are balking at a fare freeze, saying the TTC can't afford it. We disagree. They can find the money and transit riders can't afford an increase. For context, we're going to leave this here:
January 7, 2026 at 5:16 PM
There's almost always money for governments to fund what they value, whether it be for transit or anything else; what governments have or generate the political will to fund shows what they value.
Reposted by James Pizzurro
We're at the TTC Board talking about the BUDGET! A budget which includes a fare freeze and fare capping. Obviously, we're in support. Follow along for updates, or watch live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=46Zl...
January 7, 2026 at 4:08 PM
We're at the TTC Board talking about the BUDGET! A budget which includes a fare freeze and fare capping. Obviously, we're in support. Follow along for updates, or watch live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=46Zl...
The rally last year was a success insofar as over 100 people showed up to fight for better transit in Baltimore, so I have no reason to believe this year won't be at least twice as successful!
Please, if you're in the area, consider attending. Free transportation to and from the rally.
Please, if you're in the area, consider attending. Free transportation to and from the rally.
We will see you at the Major League Transit Rally in Annapolis on Feb. 2.
Better Transit Now is providing free buses from Baltimore for rally attendees.
Scan the QR code to reserve your seat.
Better Transit Now is providing free buses from Baltimore for rally attendees.
Scan the QR code to reserve your seat.
January 7, 2026 at 4:59 PM
The rally last year was a success insofar as over 100 people showed up to fight for better transit in Baltimore, so I have no reason to believe this year won't be at least twice as successful!
Please, if you're in the area, consider attending. Free transportation to and from the rally.
Please, if you're in the area, consider attending. Free transportation to and from the rally.
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Sorry, but triumphant claims about autonomous vehicle safety are wildly exaggerated.
It's an open question whether today’s self-driving cars are any safer than those driven by humans.
And if reducing crashes is the goal, that isn’t even the right question.
My deep dive, in Bloomberg 🧵
It's an open question whether today’s self-driving cars are any safer than those driven by humans.
And if reducing crashes is the goal, that isn’t even the right question.
My deep dive, in Bloomberg 🧵
We Still Don’t Know if Robotaxis Are Safer Than Human Drivers
And even if self-driving technology proves to be less dangerous, there are many better ways to improve traffic safety and prevent fatal crashes.
www.bloomberg.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Sorry, but triumphant claims about autonomous vehicle safety are wildly exaggerated.
It's an open question whether today’s self-driving cars are any safer than those driven by humans.
And if reducing crashes is the goal, that isn’t even the right question.
My deep dive, in Bloomberg 🧵
It's an open question whether today’s self-driving cars are any safer than those driven by humans.
And if reducing crashes is the goal, that isn’t even the right question.
My deep dive, in Bloomberg 🧵
Reposted by James Pizzurro
I appreciate the spirit of this post so much. But I also think a government that people don’t think about is a lower bar than we think, leads to complacency, and is part of how we are where we are. People need to be paying attention to and think and care about government always.
I want to help make a government that isn’t evil and works so well that you don’t really think about it
I don’t know exactly what I’m looking for in a politician but not having every day be a nightmare of horrors would be pretty high up so someone should run on that
January 4, 2026 at 12:43 PM
I appreciate the spirit of this post so much. But I also think a government that people don’t think about is a lower bar than we think, leads to complacency, and is part of how we are where we are. People need to be paying attention to and think and care about government always.
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Happy 2026, Toronto! 🎉
January 1, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Happy 2026, Toronto! 🎉
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Remember the 1920s when nobody was left-handed
December 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Remember the 1920s when nobody was left-handed
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Terrifying headline if you don’t realize they are sports teams.
December 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Terrifying headline if you don’t realize they are sports teams.
Reposted by James Pizzurro
if the mta sold F/M swap merch they'd be funded for the next decade
December 18, 2025 at 3:50 AM
if the mta sold F/M swap merch they'd be funded for the next decade
Reposted by James Pizzurro
It's that time of the year: @cmtalliance.bsky.social is out with another transportation report card for Baltimore! We at ARIES for Transit are proud to have contributed the transit data and analyses for this report. 😊
Baltimore region receives a D for transportation in latest ‘report card’
Baltimore’s transportation network improved little to meet the needs of its residents during the past two years, according to the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance’s latest report card.
www.thebanner.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
It's that time of the year: @cmtalliance.bsky.social is out with another transportation report card for Baltimore! We at ARIES for Transit are proud to have contributed the transit data and analyses for this report. 😊
How do these results compare to 2023, the last time we performed a similar analysis?
Headway adherence: 58.11% → 65.48% (~13% increase)
Schedule adherence: 74.49% → 75.87% (~2% increase)
Data integrity: 80.25% → 90.85% (~13% increase)
So, Baltimore improved across the board, but so did its peers.
Headway adherence: 58.11% → 65.48% (~13% increase)
Schedule adherence: 74.49% → 75.87% (~2% increase)
Data integrity: 80.25% → 90.85% (~13% increase)
So, Baltimore improved across the board, but so did its peers.
So, how's Baltimore transit performing compared to its peer MSAs? The answer: last in headway adherence, second-to-last in schedule adherence, and middle of the pack in data integrity.
You can download our full report to CMTA here: cmtalliance.org/download/ari...
You can download our full report to CMTA here: cmtalliance.org/download/ari...
December 17, 2025 at 7:43 PM
How do these results compare to 2023, the last time we performed a similar analysis?
Headway adherence: 58.11% → 65.48% (~13% increase)
Schedule adherence: 74.49% → 75.87% (~2% increase)
Data integrity: 80.25% → 90.85% (~13% increase)
So, Baltimore improved across the board, but so did its peers.
Headway adherence: 58.11% → 65.48% (~13% increase)
Schedule adherence: 74.49% → 75.87% (~2% increase)
Data integrity: 80.25% → 90.85% (~13% increase)
So, Baltimore improved across the board, but so did its peers.
It's that time of the year: @cmtalliance.bsky.social is out with another transportation report card for Baltimore! We at ARIES for Transit are proud to have contributed the transit data and analyses for this report. 😊
Baltimore region receives a D for transportation in latest ‘report card’
Baltimore’s transportation network improved little to meet the needs of its residents during the past two years, according to the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance’s latest report card.
www.thebanner.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
It's that time of the year: @cmtalliance.bsky.social is out with another transportation report card for Baltimore! We at ARIES for Transit are proud to have contributed the transit data and analyses for this report. 😊
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Fantastic piece here from @chittimarco.bsky.social on the value of fast transit:
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Speed matters
Of time, life and space. Or why transit speed matters.
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Fantastic piece here from @chittimarco.bsky.social on the value of fast transit:
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Street safety is *not* a shared responsibility.
Rather, it's a responsibility borne by those who have the greatest power to make streets safer: Car companies, policymakers, and road designers.
Stop shifting blame on those walking, biking, and driving.
www.kqed.org/news/1206717...
Rather, it's a responsibility borne by those who have the greatest power to make streets safer: Car companies, policymakers, and road designers.
Stop shifting blame on those walking, biking, and driving.
www.kqed.org/news/1206717...
December 16, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Street safety is *not* a shared responsibility.
Rather, it's a responsibility borne by those who have the greatest power to make streets safer: Car companies, policymakers, and road designers.
Stop shifting blame on those walking, biking, and driving.
www.kqed.org/news/1206717...
Rather, it's a responsibility borne by those who have the greatest power to make streets safer: Car companies, policymakers, and road designers.
Stop shifting blame on those walking, biking, and driving.
www.kqed.org/news/1206717...
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Yet another illustration of how "freedom of choice" exists only within socially circumscribed bounds that limit others' choices
Who would win in a crash: A small Japanese car that isn't designed for a high-speed collision because they just don't happen across the Pacific... or an SUV designed to look like a battering ram?
The Real Reason America Can't Have The Tiny Japanese-Style Cars Trump Says He Wants — Streetsblog USA
President Trump is right that kei cars are super-kawaii — but he's wrong that clearing the regulatory decks is enough to bring them to U.S. shores.
buff.ly
December 16, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Yet another illustration of how "freedom of choice" exists only within socially circumscribed bounds that limit others' choices
you love to see it!
Nobody moves any amendments to Mayor Olivia Chow's motion to speed up the Finch West LRT, streetcars and other transit routes with better signal priority.
The motion CARRIES 22-1.
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
The motion CARRIES 22-1.
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
December 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
you love to see it!
Ontario apparently hasn't issued any Express Entry Notifications of Interest (NOIs) for permanent residency since October 2024—literally none (so far) in 2025, which is pretty shocking considering a total of 23,262 were issued in 2024.
OINP Express Entry Notifications of Interest
Get information about Notifications of Interest sent by OINP to candidates with a profile in the Government of Canada’s Express Entry system
www.ontario.ca
December 15, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Ontario apparently hasn't issued any Express Entry Notifications of Interest (NOIs) for permanent residency since October 2024—literally none (so far) in 2025, which is pretty shocking considering a total of 23,262 were issued in 2024.
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Apropos to a post I'm not going to quote: no, you are not fucking obliged to battle the fucking right on fucking social media, or go to where they are. Why make yourself miserable shouting at bots (who don't care) or trolls (who get off on your misery). Make your fucking social media enjoyable, FFS.
December 15, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Apropos to a post I'm not going to quote: no, you are not fucking obliged to battle the fucking right on fucking social media, or go to where they are. Why make yourself miserable shouting at bots (who don't care) or trolls (who get off on your misery). Make your fucking social media enjoyable, FFS.
Reposted by James Pizzurro
“X is fine because I’m too savvy to have my brain corrupted by the X algorithm” and “I have amazing and interesting takes about every goddamn thing under the sun” kind of go together
December 15, 2025 at 7:16 PM
“X is fine because I’m too savvy to have my brain corrupted by the X algorithm” and “I have amazing and interesting takes about every goddamn thing under the sun” kind of go together