Josh Linden
@joshlinden.bsky.social
Is this the one? Spend a little too much time thinking about housing // transit // climate // cool maps. And not enough time learning how to garden properly. Member of the Montgomery County Planning Board, but all posts and opinions here are my own
Fingers crossed, Purple Line will join this list next year (!)
But what I'm looking forward to almost as much...when MoCo's many planned BRT routes join the party. Though in the short term, I'd simply settle for better bus service
But what I'm looking forward to almost as much...when MoCo's many planned BRT routes join the party. Though in the short term, I'd simply settle for better bus service
What transit lines are opening in North America in 2026?
🚇 Metro in LA, Montréal, Monterrey
🚈 Light rail in Ottawa, St Louis, Seattle, Toronto
🚋 Streetcar in Kansas City, Orange County
🚌 Bus improvements in Atlanta, Salt Lake, San Bernardino
& more
It's on The Transport Politic's annual roundup ⏬
🚇 Metro in LA, Montréal, Monterrey
🚈 Light rail in Ottawa, St Louis, Seattle, Toronto
🚋 Streetcar in Kansas City, Orange County
🚌 Bus improvements in Atlanta, Salt Lake, San Bernardino
& more
It's on The Transport Politic's annual roundup ⏬
Transit Expansion in North America: A Look Ahead to 2026, and a 2025 Roundup
In 2026, new fixed-guideway transit lines are opening across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In this overview, I compile information about each of these projects, including: Metro and monora…
www.thetransportpolitic.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Fingers crossed, Purple Line will join this list next year (!)
But what I'm looking forward to almost as much...when MoCo's many planned BRT routes join the party. Though in the short term, I'd simply settle for better bus service
But what I'm looking forward to almost as much...when MoCo's many planned BRT routes join the party. Though in the short term, I'd simply settle for better bus service
Let's rebuild some state capacity
Mamdani’s vision: a rejection of neoliberalism & promotion of the public sector: “For too long, we have turned to the private sector for greatness, while accepting mediocrity from… the public… To those who insist that… the era of big govt is over… no longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power.”
New from @pamherd.bsky.social & I: Key takeaways from Mamdani's inauguration speech.
"Mamdani will force a conversation among the left about how it should govern." 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/understand...
"Mamdani will force a conversation among the left about how it should govern." 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/understand...
January 2, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Let's rebuild some state capacity
Considering a single-day stay-cation where I take the kiddos on a Purple Line scavenger hunt
The Purple Line is powered up! Trains can now be seen along parts of the alignment through neighborhoods, communities, and right outside your front door.
🎥 See train testing in action: https://ow.ly/5OnI50XNJL8. #PurpleLinePoweredUp
🎥 See train testing in action: https://ow.ly/5OnI50XNJL8. #PurpleLinePoweredUp
December 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Considering a single-day stay-cation where I take the kiddos on a Purple Line scavenger hunt
Incredible. The standard they used - that any foreseeable financial effect on a source of income is material if the decision will achieve/defeat/aid/hinder a purpose or goal of the source - is both absurd in this applied case, and could also apply to elected homeowners that oppose new housing
In Santa Monica, the FPPC has disqualified pro-housing Councilmember Jesse Zwick from all future housing votes. They said that because he works for a housing non-profit, he’s “conflicted” and must recuse.
Pretty absurd. The NIMBY deep state strikes again.
www.smdp.com/state-regula...
Pretty absurd. The NIMBY deep state strikes again.
www.smdp.com/state-regula...
State regulators say Councilman Zwick is conflicted on housing votes
The California Fair Political Practices Commission has ruled that Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Zwick must recuse himself from housing production decisions
www.smdp.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Incredible. The standard they used - that any foreseeable financial effect on a source of income is material if the decision will achieve/defeat/aid/hinder a purpose or goal of the source - is both absurd in this applied case, and could also apply to elected homeowners that oppose new housing
Chag sameach and happy final night of Hanukkah! Happy my daughter chose the bicycle menorah for our last dance with these fast-burning (and incredibly melty) candles
To a year ahead filled with greater amounts of light, resilience, and joy
To a year ahead filled with greater amounts of light, resilience, and joy
December 22, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Chag sameach and happy final night of Hanukkah! Happy my daughter chose the bicycle menorah for our last dance with these fast-burning (and incredibly melty) candles
To a year ahead filled with greater amounts of light, resilience, and joy
To a year ahead filled with greater amounts of light, resilience, and joy
Reposted by Josh Linden
From the Metro Toronto Planning Board's 1959 draft Official Plan (voted down by Metro Council). You could not say something this obvious in Toronto's Official Plan anymore.
December 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
From the Metro Toronto Planning Board's 1959 draft Official Plan (voted down by Metro Council). You could not say something this obvious in Toronto's Official Plan anymore.
Just do the news. There's a fire hose of it every single day. Why is this so hard for the elite reactionary centrist group chat class funded by billionaires who...
oh, right
oh, right
"Has feminism failed women brought to you by bank of america" is my MKULTRA sleeper agent activation phrase
December 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Just do the news. There's a fire hose of it every single day. Why is this so hard for the elite reactionary centrist group chat class funded by billionaires who...
oh, right
oh, right
Reposted by Josh Linden
Good morning to everyone who knows people used to could take a train to Ocean City, Maryland, instead of being forced to sit in a car on a bridge being traffic.
📷 kilduffs.net/travels-thro...
📷 kilduffs.net/travels-thro...
December 19, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Good morning to everyone who knows people used to could take a train to Ocean City, Maryland, instead of being forced to sit in a car on a bridge being traffic.
📷 kilduffs.net/travels-thro...
📷 kilduffs.net/travels-thro...
Glad that the state will take action after the tragedy on University last fall
But this comment from the meeting says it all
"We need to start trying to prevent the next one rather than reacting to the last one"
But this comment from the meeting says it all
"We need to start trying to prevent the next one rather than reacting to the last one"
Traffic signal coming to Kensington intersection where teen was fatally struck
The state is planning other road safety improvements for the 1.2-mile stretch of University Boulevard West between Kensington and Wheaton.
bethesdamagazine.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Glad that the state will take action after the tragedy on University last fall
But this comment from the meeting says it all
"We need to start trying to prevent the next one rather than reacting to the last one"
But this comment from the meeting says it all
"We need to start trying to prevent the next one rather than reacting to the last one"
I really appreciate @thebaltimorebanner.com for their local coverage...
But the headline here is that the cost of this highway/bridge expansion doubled, up to $17 billion - with little/no public acknowledgement leading up to today's vote, AFAICT
Not that a possible bike/ped path would add maybe 6%
But the headline here is that the cost of this highway/bridge expansion doubled, up to $17 billion - with little/no public acknowledgement leading up to today's vote, AFAICT
Not that a possible bike/ped path would add maybe 6%
Bay Bridge pedestrian path could add $1 billion to cost
Preliminary estimates for a future replacement to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge show the proposal for a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists could add more than $1 billion to the overall project c...
www.thebanner.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:19 AM
I really appreciate @thebaltimorebanner.com for their local coverage...
But the headline here is that the cost of this highway/bridge expansion doubled, up to $17 billion - with little/no public acknowledgement leading up to today's vote, AFAICT
Not that a possible bike/ped path would add maybe 6%
But the headline here is that the cost of this highway/bridge expansion doubled, up to $17 billion - with little/no public acknowledgement leading up to today's vote, AFAICT
Not that a possible bike/ped path would add maybe 6%
We regret to inform you that $7.3 billion will no longer buy 4.5 miles of an expanded Bay Bridge
For that, you'll need $14.8 to $16.4 billion, per MDTA's latest estimate
Funny how these newer numbers didn't get widely publicized until after the vote to move forward earlier today
For that, you'll need $14.8 to $16.4 billion, per MDTA's latest estimate
Funny how these newer numbers didn't get widely publicized until after the vote to move forward earlier today
December 18, 2025 at 8:18 PM
We regret to inform you that $7.3 billion will no longer buy 4.5 miles of an expanded Bay Bridge
For that, you'll need $14.8 to $16.4 billion, per MDTA's latest estimate
Funny how these newer numbers didn't get widely publicized until after the vote to move forward earlier today
For that, you'll need $14.8 to $16.4 billion, per MDTA's latest estimate
Funny how these newer numbers didn't get widely publicized until after the vote to move forward earlier today
tldr:
$7.3 billion could build enough BRT to crisscross Montgomery County, twice...with enough left over to transform many other bus routes into frequent all-day service
Or, it could buy 4.5 miles of a highway/bridge expansion, which will definitely be the one expansion to finally fix congestion 🙄
$7.3 billion could build enough BRT to crisscross Montgomery County, twice...with enough left over to transform many other bus routes into frequent all-day service
Or, it could buy 4.5 miles of a highway/bridge expansion, which will definitely be the one expansion to finally fix congestion 🙄
How much transit could $7.3 BILLION buy us?
One approach is to take a little look at Montgomery County's (planned) bus rapid transit system, an ambitious 82-mile network of 10 routes across 8 major corridors 🧵
(disclaimer: this 🧵is not a commentary on the value of BRT vs regular bus service 🙂)
One approach is to take a little look at Montgomery County's (planned) bus rapid transit system, an ambitious 82-mile network of 10 routes across 8 major corridors 🧵
(disclaimer: this 🧵is not a commentary on the value of BRT vs regular bus service 🙂)
Think about the amount of transit you could build (or improved service you could run) for the $7.3 BILLION it will take to expand the Bay Bridge to 8 lanes (all for cars)
This also represents the most modest of the studied alternatives
MD can't call itself a climate leader and take on this project
This also represents the most modest of the studied alternatives
MD can't call itself a climate leader and take on this project
December 18, 2025 at 2:52 AM
tldr:
$7.3 billion could build enough BRT to crisscross Montgomery County, twice...with enough left over to transform many other bus routes into frequent all-day service
Or, it could buy 4.5 miles of a highway/bridge expansion, which will definitely be the one expansion to finally fix congestion 🙄
$7.3 billion could build enough BRT to crisscross Montgomery County, twice...with enough left over to transform many other bus routes into frequent all-day service
Or, it could buy 4.5 miles of a highway/bridge expansion, which will definitely be the one expansion to finally fix congestion 🙄
I'm probably more excited to check this out than my pups
Montgomery Parks Reopens Ellsworth Urban Dog Park in Downtown Silver Spring
Montgomery Parks has reopened the Ellsworth Urban Dog Park in downtown Silver Spring after completing a long-delayed renovation project, as well as a section of Sligo Creek Parkway that was…
www.sourceofthespring.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:04 AM
I'm probably more excited to check this out than my pups
How much transit could $7.3 BILLION buy us?
One approach is to take a little look at Montgomery County's (planned) bus rapid transit system, an ambitious 82-mile network of 10 routes across 8 major corridors 🧵
(disclaimer: this 🧵is not a commentary on the value of BRT vs regular bus service 🙂)
One approach is to take a little look at Montgomery County's (planned) bus rapid transit system, an ambitious 82-mile network of 10 routes across 8 major corridors 🧵
(disclaimer: this 🧵is not a commentary on the value of BRT vs regular bus service 🙂)
Think about the amount of transit you could build (or improved service you could run) for the $7.3 BILLION it will take to expand the Bay Bridge to 8 lanes (all for cars)
This also represents the most modest of the studied alternatives
MD can't call itself a climate leader and take on this project
This also represents the most modest of the studied alternatives
MD can't call itself a climate leader and take on this project
State-preferred Bay Bridge replacement would nearly double capacity over the Chesapeake
December 17, 2025 at 9:19 PM
How much transit could $7.3 BILLION buy us?
One approach is to take a little look at Montgomery County's (planned) bus rapid transit system, an ambitious 82-mile network of 10 routes across 8 major corridors 🧵
(disclaimer: this 🧵is not a commentary on the value of BRT vs regular bus service 🙂)
One approach is to take a little look at Montgomery County's (planned) bus rapid transit system, an ambitious 82-mile network of 10 routes across 8 major corridors 🧵
(disclaimer: this 🧵is not a commentary on the value of BRT vs regular bus service 🙂)
This sort of nonsense is so economically illiterate it almost makes you forget how racist it is
And it is very, very racist
And it is very, very racist
Vance: "Why have rents gone down for 4 consecutive months? Because we're starting to get those illegal aliens out of the USA. Those criminals, those gang members, those people that are taking homes that ought by right go the people in this room. It's simple economics."
December 16, 2025 at 5:54 PM
This sort of nonsense is so economically illiterate it almost makes you forget how racist it is
And it is very, very racist
And it is very, very racist
More positive press about one of the most successful middle housing programs in the country
tldr: organizing gets the goods
tldr: organizing gets the goods
Why has Portland been able to do what San Francisco can’t?
Bc of years of "big tent" organizing by @pnwelcome.bsky.social @1000oregon.bsky.social + lots more.
by @xianleonard.bsky.social for @sfchronicle.com
Bc of years of "big tent" organizing by @pnwelcome.bsky.social @1000oregon.bsky.social + lots more.
by @xianleonard.bsky.social for @sfchronicle.com
This liberal city sees San Francisco as a role model — for home building failure
While prices for starter homes in San Francisco have surged, Portland has seemingly found the key to produce “missing middle” houses for first-time buyers.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:51 PM
More positive press about one of the most successful middle housing programs in the country
tldr: organizing gets the goods
tldr: organizing gets the goods
Think about the amount of transit you could build (or improved service you could run) for the $7.3 BILLION it will take to expand the Bay Bridge to 8 lanes (all for cars)
This also represents the most modest of the studied alternatives
MD can't call itself a climate leader and take on this project
This also represents the most modest of the studied alternatives
MD can't call itself a climate leader and take on this project
State-preferred Bay Bridge replacement would nearly double capacity over the Chesapeake
Likely Chesapeake Bay Bridge replacement would nearly double capacity
The spans that one day could replace the Chesapeake Bay Bridge would likely each have four lanes, nearly doubling the road capacity on one of the state’s most recognizable crossings under a proposal...
buff.ly
December 16, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Think about the amount of transit you could build (or improved service you could run) for the $7.3 BILLION it will take to expand the Bay Bridge to 8 lanes (all for cars)
This also represents the most modest of the studied alternatives
MD can't call itself a climate leader and take on this project
This also represents the most modest of the studied alternatives
MD can't call itself a climate leader and take on this project
I walk by this site several times a week, have watched it rise from a hole in the ground to a lovely building for people to live in, and I'm excited to welcome our new neighbors
December 12, 2025 at 3:31 AM
I walk by this site several times a week, have watched it rise from a hole in the ground to a lovely building for people to live in, and I'm excited to welcome our new neighbors
Reposted by Josh Linden
Original photograph was a depiction of construction workers—blue collar people who built New York City but were rarely acknowledged & were certainly underpaid—while this one is a depiction of well-known billionaires whose AI empires are built on stealing the intellectual property of everyone else.
This...looks terrible? Is the magazine making some point about what AI still can't do, because otherwise, I don't get why you'd go out with something that looks like it was put together with safety scissors and Elmer's Glue.
December 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Original photograph was a depiction of construction workers—blue collar people who built New York City but were rarely acknowledged & were certainly underpaid—while this one is a depiction of well-known billionaires whose AI empires are built on stealing the intellectual property of everyone else.
An unfortunate blow to our local dining + urbanism culture @nerd4cities.bsky.social
Friendship Heights Cheesecake Factory announces it's closing
D.C. residents are reacting after finding out that a beloved Cheesecake Factory in Friendship Heights is closing.
www.fox5dc.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:41 PM
An unfortunate blow to our local dining + urbanism culture @nerd4cities.bsky.social
You love to see it
Important, exciting research — air pollution dropped 22% in NYC's congestion relief zone within the first 6 months of #CongestionPricing (with reductions in the surrounding neighborhoods, too)
Cleaner air, better transit, great data — all thanks to #CongestionPricing!
Cleaner air, better transit, great data — all thanks to #CongestionPricing!
December 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
You love to see it
Reposted by Josh Linden
Interesting: Urbanist group @ggwash.org is suing @ddotdc.bsky.social over its refusal/failure to release a study the city conducted on congestion pricing possibilities in downtown D.C. The study was finished in 2020, but has never been made public – even in response to FOIA requests.
December 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Interesting: Urbanist group @ggwash.org is suing @ddotdc.bsky.social over its refusal/failure to release a study the city conducted on congestion pricing possibilities in downtown D.C. The study was finished in 2020, but has never been made public – even in response to FOIA requests.
A lovely, car free morning last weekend, courtesy of @montgomeryparks.bsky.social's open parkway program
That rushing sound in the background? Nope, not the nearby stream. That's I-495, nearly a half mile away
Cars are loud
That rushing sound in the background? Nope, not the nearby stream. That's I-495, nearly a half mile away
Cars are loud
December 9, 2025 at 8:13 PM
A lovely, car free morning last weekend, courtesy of @montgomeryparks.bsky.social's open parkway program
That rushing sound in the background? Nope, not the nearby stream. That's I-495, nearly a half mile away
Cars are loud
That rushing sound in the background? Nope, not the nearby stream. That's I-495, nearly a half mile away
Cars are loud
Reposted by Josh Linden
Of the largest U.S. transit agencies (50 million+ annual riders) here are the 5 growing fastest:
1. @wmata.com, DC ⬆️ 15%
2. @mtalirr.bsky.social, NY ⬆️ 14%
3. @mbta.com, MA ⬆️ 10%
4. @mta.info @nyctransit.bsky.social, NY ⬆️ 10%
5. Port Authority NY/NJ ⬆️ 9%
#TransitWrapped2025 is fall 2025 to fall 2024
1. @wmata.com, DC ⬆️ 15%
2. @mtalirr.bsky.social, NY ⬆️ 14%
3. @mbta.com, MA ⬆️ 10%
4. @mta.info @nyctransit.bsky.social, NY ⬆️ 10%
5. Port Authority NY/NJ ⬆️ 9%
#TransitWrapped2025 is fall 2025 to fall 2024
December 8, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Of the largest U.S. transit agencies (50 million+ annual riders) here are the 5 growing fastest:
1. @wmata.com, DC ⬆️ 15%
2. @mtalirr.bsky.social, NY ⬆️ 14%
3. @mbta.com, MA ⬆️ 10%
4. @mta.info @nyctransit.bsky.social, NY ⬆️ 10%
5. Port Authority NY/NJ ⬆️ 9%
#TransitWrapped2025 is fall 2025 to fall 2024
1. @wmata.com, DC ⬆️ 15%
2. @mtalirr.bsky.social, NY ⬆️ 14%
3. @mbta.com, MA ⬆️ 10%
4. @mta.info @nyctransit.bsky.social, NY ⬆️ 10%
5. Port Authority NY/NJ ⬆️ 9%
#TransitWrapped2025 is fall 2025 to fall 2024
Reposted by Josh Linden
After a flood in the Wheaton Safeway Tower building, almost 1,000 residents were left without power on Wednesday in harsh winter temperatures. With the help of Ride On Communications Leaders and Operators, Ride On was able to send buses to aid in the evacuation of the building.
December 5, 2025 at 7:01 PM
After a flood in the Wheaton Safeway Tower building, almost 1,000 residents were left without power on Wednesday in harsh winter temperatures. With the help of Ride On Communications Leaders and Operators, Ride On was able to send buses to aid in the evacuation of the building.