Leo Wagner
@leopwagner.bsky.social
urbanist | housing | transit | cities | languages | upenn sas ‘23, mcp ‘24 | english | español | français | čeština | русский | हिन्दी
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Suburban people who drive everywhere look at you like you're crazy when you tell them you ride the bus by choice because they can't conceive why someone who isn't poor would ever do that. But, having to do everything yourself is a type of poverty. I'd rather pay $2 than have to drive myself and park
September 20, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Suburban people who drive everywhere look at you like you're crazy when you tell them you ride the bus by choice because they can't conceive why someone who isn't poor would ever do that. But, having to do everything yourself is a type of poverty. I'd rather pay $2 than have to drive myself and park
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Canada has higher transit use than the US because there is far more transit service per capita there.
If you want ridership, you have to run service.
If you want ridership, you have to run service.
Canada has dramatically higher transit modeshare than the US is something people clearly need to hear much more often.
July 30, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Canada has higher transit use than the US because there is far more transit service per capita there.
If you want ridership, you have to run service.
If you want ridership, you have to run service.
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Great report focused on reducing vehicle miles traveled (not anti-electrification but says it's over emphasized). Notes continued roadway orientation of departments of transportation. Instructive graphic on $ programs. Across levels, spending favors roadways over safety, sustainability & true choice
July 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Great report focused on reducing vehicle miles traveled (not anti-electrification but says it's over emphasized). Notes continued roadway orientation of departments of transportation. Instructive graphic on $ programs. Across levels, spending favors roadways over safety, sustainability & true choice
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Ten years after the Paris Agreement, nations are still falling short of their commitments to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change.
More than that, they haven’t shown enough follow-through on the goals they set. Instead, it’s been cities and local governments that have taken the lead.
More than that, they haven’t shown enough follow-through on the goals they set. Instead, it’s been cities and local governments that have taken the lead.
As the nations lag on climate action, cities across the world step up
A new report documents how local communities are becoming more livable and sustainable.
www.motherjones.com
July 8, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Ten years after the Paris Agreement, nations are still falling short of their commitments to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change.
More than that, they haven’t shown enough follow-through on the goals they set. Instead, it’s been cities and local governments that have taken the lead.
More than that, they haven’t shown enough follow-through on the goals they set. Instead, it’s been cities and local governments that have taken the lead.
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Florida has the nation’s 8th worst rate of roadway deaths, with twice the fatality rate of states like Massachusetts & Minnesota.
Florida’s governor is focusing his highway patrol on targeting immigrants for deportation.
Florida’s governor is focusing his highway patrol on targeting immigrants for deportation.
May 14, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Florida has the nation’s 8th worst rate of roadway deaths, with twice the fatality rate of states like Massachusetts & Minnesota.
Florida’s governor is focusing his highway patrol on targeting immigrants for deportation.
Florida’s governor is focusing his highway patrol on targeting immigrants for deportation.
Reposted by Leo Wagner
NYC’s congestion pricing is a policy miracle: Less traffic, less noise, faster transit, more business sales, more transit revenue. And it hasn’t produced the negative effects outside the cordon zone we were afraid of.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
May 12, 2025 at 12:10 PM
NYC’s congestion pricing is a policy miracle: Less traffic, less noise, faster transit, more business sales, more transit revenue. And it hasn’t produced the negative effects outside the cordon zone we were afraid of.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Leo Wagner
I know I know, law of the instrument with me here, but the fundamental anti-urban attitude of the United States (in part a product of racism) causes and exacerbates so many of our problems. Cities are the primary engine and store of wealth. If you abuse and neglect them, your society will fall apart
May 6, 2025 at 11:05 PM
I know I know, law of the instrument with me here, but the fundamental anti-urban attitude of the United States (in part a product of racism) causes and exacerbates so many of our problems. Cities are the primary engine and store of wealth. If you abuse and neglect them, your society will fall apart
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Get me to God’s country
April 30, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Get me to God’s country
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Who said that bus lanes and circulation plans are big cities' prerogatives?
Valeggio sul Mincio (16 k inhabitants) has a short contraflow bus lane followed by an alternate direction street segment that allows buses to go through the city center while through traffic is partially diverted around it.
Valeggio sul Mincio (16 k inhabitants) has a short contraflow bus lane followed by an alternate direction street segment that allows buses to go through the city center while through traffic is partially diverted around it.
April 29, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Who said that bus lanes and circulation plans are big cities' prerogatives?
Valeggio sul Mincio (16 k inhabitants) has a short contraflow bus lane followed by an alternate direction street segment that allows buses to go through the city center while through traffic is partially diverted around it.
Valeggio sul Mincio (16 k inhabitants) has a short contraflow bus lane followed by an alternate direction street segment that allows buses to go through the city center while through traffic is partially diverted around it.
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Ridership is a big concern for transit agencies in terms of their ability to raise funds from fares.
But one thing that's been exciting to watch is that while many agencies, like DC's WMATA, have lower ridership on weekdays than they did pre-pandemic, they now have higher ridership on weekends!
But one thing that's been exciting to watch is that while many agencies, like DC's WMATA, have lower ridership on weekdays than they did pre-pandemic, they now have higher ridership on weekends!
April 30, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Ridership is a big concern for transit agencies in terms of their ability to raise funds from fares.
But one thing that's been exciting to watch is that while many agencies, like DC's WMATA, have lower ridership on weekdays than they did pre-pandemic, they now have higher ridership on weekends!
But one thing that's been exciting to watch is that while many agencies, like DC's WMATA, have lower ridership on weekdays than they did pre-pandemic, they now have higher ridership on weekends!
Reposted by Leo Wagner
How Far do your tax dollars for Transit go?
After people complaining over and over that SEPTA was inefficient, I had to run the numbers of Ridership to Operating budgets and would you look at that.
Not only is SEPTA good with money, but they are literally the best in the US
After people complaining over and over that SEPTA was inefficient, I had to run the numbers of Ridership to Operating budgets and would you look at that.
Not only is SEPTA good with money, but they are literally the best in the US
April 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
How Far do your tax dollars for Transit go?
After people complaining over and over that SEPTA was inefficient, I had to run the numbers of Ridership to Operating budgets and would you look at that.
Not only is SEPTA good with money, but they are literally the best in the US
After people complaining over and over that SEPTA was inefficient, I had to run the numbers of Ridership to Operating budgets and would you look at that.
Not only is SEPTA good with money, but they are literally the best in the US
Reposted by Leo Wagner
US metros can certainly learn about increasing transit ridership in auto-oriented neighborhoods from Canadian suburbs
But the way these articles seem to go out of their way to ignore how higher transit demand is at least partially driven by higher gasoline prices is frustrating and frankly suspect
But the way these articles seem to go out of their way to ignore how higher transit demand is at least partially driven by higher gasoline prices is frustrating and frankly suspect
I've written an article on the extraordinary transit success of Brampton, how it was achieved, and the lessons it has for other suburban areas in North America. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
How Did This Suburb Figure Out Mass Transit?
Transit ridership is off the charts in Brampton, Ontario, despite its typical low-density suburban layout. Here’s how the city got residents to get on the bus.
www.bloomberg.com
April 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM
US metros can certainly learn about increasing transit ridership in auto-oriented neighborhoods from Canadian suburbs
But the way these articles seem to go out of their way to ignore how higher transit demand is at least partially driven by higher gasoline prices is frustrating and frankly suspect
But the way these articles seem to go out of their way to ignore how higher transit demand is at least partially driven by higher gasoline prices is frustrating and frankly suspect
Reposted by Leo Wagner
In response to Conner Dougherty's NYT article, it's helpful to revisit a piece I wrote. In the USA, the poorer you are, the greater percentage of your income you spend on transportation. In the EU, it's the opposite.
Why? USA has car-dependent sprawl, EU has good transit.
itdp.org/2024/01/24/h...
Why? USA has car-dependent sprawl, EU has good transit.
itdp.org/2024/01/24/h...
April 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
In response to Conner Dougherty's NYT article, it's helpful to revisit a piece I wrote. In the USA, the poorer you are, the greater percentage of your income you spend on transportation. In the EU, it's the opposite.
Why? USA has car-dependent sprawl, EU has good transit.
itdp.org/2024/01/24/h...
Why? USA has car-dependent sprawl, EU has good transit.
itdp.org/2024/01/24/h...
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Sprawl “solves” the housing crisis by turning it into a transportation crisis.
Not a single time in this article glorifying the need for sprawl to address the US's affordable housing crisis is there a mention of the vast transportation costs of sprawling living patterns. Nor is there mention of the fact that sprawl is directly linked to disinvestment in urban cores.
America Needs More Sprawl to Fix Its Housing Crisis
The word has become an epithet for garish, reckless growth — but to fix the housing crisis, the country needs more of it.
www.nytimes.com
April 10, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Sprawl “solves” the housing crisis by turning it into a transportation crisis.
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Asian grocery stores are a lifeline to the communities they serve. But store owners say the prospect of sweeping tariffs are threatening their ability to stock up on goods and keep prices affordable.
Asian grocery stores, a lifeline for immigrants, brace for steep new tariffs
Asian grocery stores are a lifeline to the communities they serve. But store owners say the prospect of sweeping tariffs are threatening their ability to stock up on goods and keep prices affordable.
www.npr.org
April 8, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Asian grocery stores are a lifeline to the communities they serve. But store owners say the prospect of sweeping tariffs are threatening their ability to stock up on goods and keep prices affordable.
Reposted by Leo Wagner
This point doesn't get emphasized enough. Just a few years ago Roosevelt Blvd was a top-5 deadliest road in the country. Now it isn't even the deadliest in Philly
* by the way, Roosevelt Blvd is no longer the deadliest street -- thanks to the speed cams! www.phillyvoice.com/vision-zero-...
As speed cameras help cut fatalities on Roosevelt Boulevard, Broad Street becomes Philly's deadliest road
Over 50 lives — about one per month — have been saved since the devices were installed in 2020, a Vision Zero report says.
www.phillyvoice.com
March 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
This point doesn't get emphasized enough. Just a few years ago Roosevelt Blvd was a top-5 deadliest road in the country. Now it isn't even the deadliest in Philly
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Yucatan, one of Mexico's lowest car-ownership states demands two spaces per unit and two parking lanes per street. The result of a flawed federalism, out-of-touch engineers, and class-based policymaking.
February 27, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Yucatan, one of Mexico's lowest car-ownership states demands two spaces per unit and two parking lanes per street. The result of a flawed federalism, out-of-touch engineers, and class-based policymaking.
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Facts:
—Subway travel is far safer than car travel
—More than 250 people died in car traffic-related incidents in 2024 in New York City, compared to 10 on the Subway gothamist.com/news/feeling...
—Subway crime is declining rapidly in incidence www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/ne...
—Subway travel is far safer than car travel
—More than 250 people died in car traffic-related incidents in 2024 in New York City, compared to 10 on the Subway gothamist.com/news/feeling...
—Subway crime is declining rapidly in incidence www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/ne...
March 19, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Facts:
—Subway travel is far safer than car travel
—More than 250 people died in car traffic-related incidents in 2024 in New York City, compared to 10 on the Subway gothamist.com/news/feeling...
—Subway crime is declining rapidly in incidence www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/ne...
—Subway travel is far safer than car travel
—More than 250 people died in car traffic-related incidents in 2024 in New York City, compared to 10 on the Subway gothamist.com/news/feeling...
—Subway crime is declining rapidly in incidence www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/ne...
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Politicians of all stripes throughout history have used language as the pretense for their xenophobic nationalistic inclinations.
March 14, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Politicians of all stripes throughout history have used language as the pretense for their xenophobic nationalistic inclinations.
Many Latin American buses have turnstiles to force fare payment, without compromising driver safety. While this presents an accessibility issue, could some sort of gate, that opens when fares are paid, be added to bus fronts in the US (in cities not considering all-door boarding like Philly)?
February 25, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Many Latin American buses have turnstiles to force fare payment, without compromising driver safety. While this presents an accessibility issue, could some sort of gate, that opens when fares are paid, be added to bus fronts in the US (in cities not considering all-door boarding like Philly)?
Reposted by Leo Wagner
New research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social shows that mass deportations would likely worsen the housing shortage by decimating the labor force.
Immigrants make up >23% of the construction workforce & more in FL, TX. About half are estimated to be undocumented immigrants. www.urban.org/urban-wire/m...
Immigrants make up >23% of the construction workforce & more in FL, TX. About half are estimated to be undocumented immigrants. www.urban.org/urban-wire/m...
February 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
New research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social shows that mass deportations would likely worsen the housing shortage by decimating the labor force.
Immigrants make up >23% of the construction workforce & more in FL, TX. About half are estimated to be undocumented immigrants. www.urban.org/urban-wire/m...
Immigrants make up >23% of the construction workforce & more in FL, TX. About half are estimated to be undocumented immigrants. www.urban.org/urban-wire/m...
Reposted by Leo Wagner
Chilean metro is super cheap to build and opens a new line every 2-4 years. We need more Chilean Metro nerds.
why is there seemingly a lack of transit nerds obsessed with the Korean subway systems. I know US subway system nerds, Canadian subway nerds, Japanese subway nerds, Chinese metro Nerds, Continental Europe metro Nerds. Thinking about innovating into this space.
February 17, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Chilean metro is super cheap to build and opens a new line every 2-4 years. We need more Chilean Metro nerds.
Cuáles son las grandes diferencias de metodología entre las estimaciones de INALI e INEGI para el número de hablantes de maya yucateco? La primera da al idioma 860 mil hablantes, mientras que la segunda le da solo 775 mil: es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idioma_...
Idioma maya - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre
es.wikipedia.org
February 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Cuáles son las grandes diferencias de metodología entre las estimaciones de INALI e INEGI para el número de hablantes de maya yucateco? La primera da al idioma 860 mil hablantes, mientras que la segunda le da solo 775 mil: es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idioma_...
Reposted by Leo Wagner
NO KINGS, ONLY TRAINS is a pretty great 2028 slogan for anyone who wants it
Presser is over, crowd is still here. Popular chants include “No kings, only trains” and “Bring back Pete”
February 20, 2025 at 6:29 PM
NO KINGS, ONLY TRAINS is a pretty great 2028 slogan for anyone who wants it