Samuel Santaella
@samuelsantaella.bsky.social
Lifelong outer-borough #NYC resident; #climatechange and #trafficviolence realist; proponent of #bikeNYC, trains, trees, & many more for all.
Less active nowadays; FYPs aren't great for my mental health and productivity.
🌐 nycstreetsutures.wordpress.com
Less active nowadays; FYPs aren't great for my mental health and productivity.
🌐 nycstreetsutures.wordpress.com
Pinned
Also covered by Bloomberg CityLab: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
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
February 4, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Also covered by Bloomberg CityLab: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
(The above quote is from the NY Times coverage, which is of course paywalled) www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/n...
Free Buses? How About Expanding the Subway by 41 Miles Instead?
Some transit advocates are wary of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plan to subsidize bus fares and argue the money would be better spent on a major subway expansion.
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:18 PM
(The above quote is from the NY Times coverage, which is of course paywalled) www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/n...
“People are not leaving New York City because the bus fare is too high. They’re leaving because they can’t afford the rent.” --@egoldwyn.bsky.social
This resonated with me because like, there's two different affordability proposals now with the same price tag
One of these would go a lot further…
This resonated with me because like, there's two different affordability proposals now with the same price tag
One of these would go a lot further…
Forget Free Buses: Mayor Mamdani Should Instead Seek 'Audacious' Subway Expansion - Streetsblog New York City
The same billion-dollar outlay that Mayor Mamdani hopes to allocate for fare-free buses should be spent instead on rewriting the subway map.
nyc.streetsblog.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:18 PM
“People are not leaving New York City because the bus fare is too high. They’re leaving because they can’t afford the rent.” --@egoldwyn.bsky.social
This resonated with me because like, there's two different affordability proposals now with the same price tag
One of these would go a lot further…
This resonated with me because like, there's two different affordability proposals now with the same price tag
One of these would go a lot further…
It is in my bucket list to walk and/or skate across one of these frozen bodies of water
February 4, 2026 at 3:07 AM
It is in my bucket list to walk and/or skate across one of these frozen bodies of water
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
But will the administration remove @council.nyc.gov cars from City Hall Park and return it to the public ?
February 4, 2026 at 2:15 AM
But will the administration remove @council.nyc.gov cars from City Hall Park and return it to the public ?
In that case, can we also modernize commuter rail while we're at it?
Or should I expect backs turned against me now? lol
Or should I expect backs turned against me now? lol
Two fantastic transit ideas — fast and free buses, and a 17-percent expansion of subway mileage — are being set up as adversaries instead of the complements they are, writes @Komanoff.
Opinion: Transit Watchword Should Be Synergy, Not Scarcity - Streetsblog New York City
Two fantastic transit ideas — fast and free buses, and a 17-percent expansion of subway mileage — are being set up as adversaries. But they're complementary.
buff.ly
February 4, 2026 at 12:34 AM
In that case, can we also modernize commuter rail while we're at it?
Or should I expect backs turned against me now? lol
Or should I expect backs turned against me now? lol
Add AI data centers to the list of things to ban to give all of us a shot at solving the climate crisis (this is a list that includes cars, private jets, cruise ships)
AI Data Centres Are An Ecological Disaster
AI Data Centres Are An Ecological Disaster
AI Data Centres Are An Ecological Disaster
Did you know that coal plants are having their lives extended in order to power AI data centres?
Remembering Karen Hao in conversation with Aaron Bastani for Downstream in June 2025.
youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Add AI data centers to the list of things to ban to give all of us a shot at solving the climate crisis (this is a list that includes cars, private jets, cruise ships)
AI Data Centres Are An Ecological Disaster
AI Data Centres Are An Ecological Disaster
Crossing Queens should take 43 minutes, not 105!
#BuildTheQueensLink
#BuildTheQueensLink
Truly didn’t think I’d regret not biking 15 miles today, but I’ve been on this bus for over an hour…. with at least another 45 minutes to go. #Q53
February 3, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Crossing Queens should take 43 minutes, not 105!
#BuildTheQueensLink
#BuildTheQueensLink
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
So, a friend of mine just sent me this picture, and as they say, it's worth 1,000 words.
February 2, 2026 at 11:54 PM
So, a friend of mine just sent me this picture, and as they say, it's worth 1,000 words.
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
I really want to see the US build high speed rail. It's wild that China has been effectively building it at scale and continuously for two decades at this point.
February 3, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I really want to see the US build high speed rail. It's wild that China has been effectively building it at scale and continuously for two decades at this point.
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
Take note of all the politicians like Bob Holden who have spent years, if not decades, protesting every homeless shelter proposed now concern-trolling over unsafe conditions for unhoused people living on the streets through this cold spell. It's not genuine. It's disgusting hypocrisy.
February 2, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Take note of all the politicians like Bob Holden who have spent years, if not decades, protesting every homeless shelter proposed now concern-trolling over unsafe conditions for unhoused people living on the streets through this cold spell. It's not genuine. It's disgusting hypocrisy.
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
It’s your city, from the sidewalk to the skyline. The David Dinkins Municipal Building’s rooftop is open & free to everyone, starting this June.
February 2, 2026 at 8:25 PM
It’s your city, from the sidewalk to the skyline. The David Dinkins Municipal Building’s rooftop is open & free to everyone, starting this June.
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
Our A Better Billion report is up on our site. It’s a great site. @27a01.bsky.social, @eensari.bsky.social, @vanshnookenraggen.com, and @alonlevy.bsky.social did a great job: transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
A Better Billion
transitcosts.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Our A Better Billion report is up on our site. It’s a great site. @27a01.bsky.social, @eensari.bsky.social, @vanshnookenraggen.com, and @alonlevy.bsky.social did a great job: transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
🚏 Transit is how we stay connected: to school, to work, to the people we love.
Jasai’s story reminds us that affordability is at the heart of transit equity.
#TransitEquityWeek #TransitEquityDay2026 #FundNJT
Jasai’s story reminds us that affordability is at the heart of transit equity.
#TransitEquityWeek #TransitEquityDay2026 #FundNJT
February 2, 2026 at 7:46 PM
🚏 Transit is how we stay connected: to school, to work, to the people we love.
Jasai’s story reminds us that affordability is at the heart of transit equity.
#TransitEquityWeek #TransitEquityDay2026 #FundNJT
Jasai’s story reminds us that affordability is at the heart of transit equity.
#TransitEquityWeek #TransitEquityDay2026 #FundNJT
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
The Citi Bike rate is too damn high.
February 1, 2026 at 5:39 PM
The Citi Bike rate is too damn high.
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
Citylab and @benschneider.bsky.social covered A Better Billion, too. They also had the wisdom to include the killer gif @27a01.bsky.social made showing how the system expands over time.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
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
February 1, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Citylab and @benschneider.bsky.social covered A Better Billion, too. They also had the wisdom to include the killer gif @27a01.bsky.social made showing how the system expands over time.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
Chrome: "We added AI to summarize articles"
Edge: "We added AI to write emails"
Safari: "We added AI to generate images"
Us: "We made tabs actually work"
Everyone: "But... AI?"
Us: "Unlimited drag-and-drop tiling"
Everyone: "Have you considered…."
Us: "It's live. Download now!"
Edge: "We added AI to write emails"
Safari: "We added AI to generate images"
Us: "We made tabs actually work"
Everyone: "But... AI?"
Us: "Unlimited drag-and-drop tiling"
Everyone: "Have you considered…."
Us: "It's live. Download now!"
Vivaldi 7.8: No AI Slop. Just Powerful Features. | Vivaldi Browser
With this release we’re raising the bar for Tab Tiling, with drag-and-drop tiling and opening links directly into tiled tabs. Alongside stability improvements and a set of carefully chosen refinements...
vivaldi.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Chrome: "We added AI to summarize articles"
Edge: "We added AI to write emails"
Safari: "We added AI to generate images"
Us: "We made tabs actually work"
Everyone: "But... AI?"
Us: "Unlimited drag-and-drop tiling"
Everyone: "Have you considered…."
Us: "It's live. Download now!"
Edge: "We added AI to write emails"
Safari: "We added AI to generate images"
Us: "We made tabs actually work"
Everyone: "But... AI?"
Us: "Unlimited drag-and-drop tiling"
Everyone: "Have you considered…."
Us: "It's live. Download now!"
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
📣 While the entire browser industry races to add AI features nobody asked for, we’re launching the most advanced tab multitasking system ever built.
You can check it out in Vivaldi 7.8, available now.
For the love of tabs and our users! ✊🏼
vivaldi.com/blog/vivaldi...
You can check it out in Vivaldi 7.8, available now.
For the love of tabs and our users! ✊🏼
vivaldi.com/blog/vivaldi...
Vivaldi 7.8: No AI Slop. Just Powerful Features. | Vivaldi Browser
With this release we’re raising the bar for Tab Tiling, with drag-and-drop tiling and opening links directly into tiled tabs. Alongside stability improvements and a set of carefully chosen refinements...
vivaldi.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:05 AM
📣 While the entire browser industry races to add AI features nobody asked for, we’re launching the most advanced tab multitasking system ever built.
You can check it out in Vivaldi 7.8, available now.
For the love of tabs and our users! ✊🏼
vivaldi.com/blog/vivaldi...
You can check it out in Vivaldi 7.8, available now.
For the love of tabs and our users! ✊🏼
vivaldi.com/blog/vivaldi...
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
College coders built a simple tool for DMV staff and administrators to identify repeat dangerous speeding behavior.
How to Use Data to Fight For Safe Streets and Stop Super Speeders - Streetsblog New York City
College coders built a simple tool for DMV staff and administrators to identify repeat dangerous speeding behavior.
buff.ly
January 31, 2026 at 11:08 PM
College coders built a simple tool for DMV staff and administrators to identify repeat dangerous speeding behavior.
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
January 31, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
A new report from the Transit Costs Project at NYU is calling on @mayor.nyc.gov Mamdani to reprioritize subway expansion and build QueensLink within the decade!
You can read the full report using the link in bio!
You can read the full report using the link in bio!
January 30, 2026 at 3:06 PM
A new report from the Transit Costs Project at NYU is calling on @mayor.nyc.gov Mamdani to reprioritize subway expansion and build QueensLink within the decade!
You can read the full report using the link in bio!
You can read the full report using the link in bio!
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
A reminder the work of a cycling city is never "done": after a decade of intensive usage, the bike parking facility beneath Delft Station has been thoughtfully renewed. All 5,000 spaces were replaced, and the building reimagined to reflect the latest insights and best practices from Dutch Railways.🧵
January 30, 2026 at 3:18 PM
A reminder the work of a cycling city is never "done": after a decade of intensive usage, the bike parking facility beneath Delft Station has been thoughtfully renewed. All 5,000 spaces were replaced, and the building reimagined to reflect the latest insights and best practices from Dutch Railways.🧵
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
Historical context: The short-term affordability argument was also used to justify keeping the 5-cent fare from 1904-1948 and is widely considered to been the greatest factor in subway's decline.
Spending on short-term usually has practical effect on long-term capital projects.
Spending on short-term usually has practical effect on long-term capital projects.
No matter what your opinion is, I think its fine to admit that spending $800 million annually on free busses is a choice that will affect the city's ability to spend on other transportation priorities like subway expansion and bikeshare-- thats how priorities work.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/n...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/n...
Free Buses? How About Expanding the Subway by 41 Miles Instead?
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Historical context: The short-term affordability argument was also used to justify keeping the 5-cent fare from 1904-1948 and is widely considered to been the greatest factor in subway's decline.
Spending on short-term usually has practical effect on long-term capital projects.
Spending on short-term usually has practical effect on long-term capital projects.
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
Say it louder for the people in the back. You would not need a new bus terminal if there were subways to NJ. This is why we don't have a bus terminal for Brooklyn and Queens.
Why I keep harping on spending $10B on new PABT when you could do this and shift many of those bus riders (who are also not going to Midtown West as their final destination anyway) over to a way more efficient mode of transit.
Want to get depressed on a Thursday evening? Grab some scotch and look at old "original intent" maps of transit systems.
Here is PATH from the 70s-- right after the Port Authority took over the struggling system. Imagine what the region would look like today if this were implemented. 😥
Here is PATH from the 70s-- right after the Port Authority took over the struggling system. Imagine what the region would look like today if this were implemented. 😥
January 30, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Say it louder for the people in the back. You would not need a new bus terminal if there were subways to NJ. This is why we don't have a bus terminal for Brooklyn and Queens.
Reposted by Samuel Santaella
Citibike is crucial infrastructure. For a tiny, almost insubstantial fraction of the space given to car parking. People ride in ANY weather, even when they have to dig out the damn bikes.
January 30, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Citibike is crucial infrastructure. For a tiny, almost insubstantial fraction of the space given to car parking. People ride in ANY weather, even when they have to dig out the damn bikes.