TransitCenter
@transitcenter.bsky.social
A foundation working to secure a just and sustainable future with abundant transportation options. transitcenter.org
Reposted by TransitCenter
This is because our country has spent the last 100 years designing all of our infrastructure around cars. Some of the most expensive and desirable areas in any state are the dense, walkable areas. But people can't afford to live there.
Right, this is true, but the OVERWHELMING evidence of the past 100 years of American life is that vastly more people want space and a car than a smaller unit and a car-free lifestyle. This is mostly why the suburban share of US population has grown relentlessly for the entire 20th and 21st century
Some people put a premium on space in my experience, others put a premium on not having to have a car and not being isolated out in the suburbs
November 19, 2025 at 1:01 AM
This is because our country has spent the last 100 years designing all of our infrastructure around cars. Some of the most expensive and desirable areas in any state are the dense, walkable areas. But people can't afford to live there.
Reposted by TransitCenter
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
November 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
Reposted by TransitCenter
The northern suburbs in Dallas are trying to kill public transit to reinforce de facto segregation.
Irving became the fourth city this week to put its relationship with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit up for a vote.
Irving joins other suburbs to hold elections for a potential exit from DART
Irving followed Highland Park, Farmers Branch and Plano, which approved elections to leave DART earlier this week.
www.dallasnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The northern suburbs in Dallas are trying to kill public transit to reinforce de facto segregation.
Reposted by TransitCenter
Via The Charlotte Ledger | On Tuesday, Mecklenburg County voters gave a thumbs-up to a sweeping transportation plan that aims to spend $25 billion over 30 years in perhaps the biggest public works initiative in state history.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/mec...
www.theassemblync.com/politics/mec...
Mecklenburg County Voters Green-Light Sales Tax Increase
Charlotte area residents approved a plan to add rail, improve bus service, and expand roads, sidewalks, and bike lanes.
www.theassemblync.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Via The Charlotte Ledger | On Tuesday, Mecklenburg County voters gave a thumbs-up to a sweeping transportation plan that aims to spend $25 billion over 30 years in perhaps the biggest public works initiative in state history.
www.theassemblync.com/politics/mec...
www.theassemblync.com/politics/mec...
Reposted by TransitCenter
Today on Volts: sustainable transportation policy is under comprehensive attack by the federal government, but states can soften the blow. Specifically, governors have a little-understood authority to transfer existing federal funds to EV charging, bike lanes, & transit. But time is running out!
Hey governors: you can salvage sustainable transportation, but you need to do it quick!
Liya Rechtman lays out the playbook for governors to salvage clean transportation using existing federal funds before it's too late.
www.volts.wtf
November 5, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Today on Volts: sustainable transportation policy is under comprehensive attack by the federal government, but states can soften the blow. Specifically, governors have a little-understood authority to transfer existing federal funds to EV charging, bike lanes, & transit. But time is running out!
Reposted by TransitCenter
Having good transit and good housing are winning issues
November 5, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Having good transit and good housing are winning issues
Reposted by TransitCenter
good time to respectfully tap the "please support worker-led, billionaire-free, independent news" sign
For any unfamiliar with the quality of journalism at Teen Vogue, it's well known for hard-hitting stories on "politically sensitive" topics including climate.
Then there's CBS: the only major network to increase climate coverage in the last few years. They just axed nearly their whole climate team.
Then there's CBS: the only major network to increase climate coverage in the last few years. They just axed nearly their whole climate team.
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 3, 2025 at 9:16 PM
good time to respectfully tap the "please support worker-led, billionaire-free, independent news" sign
Reposted by TransitCenter
Per @capitolfax.bsky.social the heart of the Illinois transit funding package is a decision to use all state motor fuel sales taxes to fund mass transit instead of sending that cash to the Road Fund. chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...
The road leading to state's mass transit package
The heart of the transit funding package is a decision to use all state motor fuel sales taxes to fund mass transit instead of sending that cash to the Road Fund.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Per @capitolfax.bsky.social the heart of the Illinois transit funding package is a decision to use all state motor fuel sales taxes to fund mass transit instead of sending that cash to the Road Fund. chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...
Reposted by TransitCenter
This is great. Public transit is public space and public space should be more playful.
MTA arrival signs have little ghosts haunting the screens
October 31, 2025 at 7:18 PM
This is great. Public transit is public space and public space should be more playful.
Reposted by TransitCenter
The transit fiscal cliff has been averted! Earlier today, Illinois lawmakers passed a $1.5B package to fund and reform transit.
Thank you all for your support in getting us to this moment. We did it y'all! 🎉🎉🎉
Read the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition's statement here:
ilcleanjobs.org/2025/10/31/l...
Thank you all for your support in getting us to this moment. We did it y'all! 🎉🎉🎉
Read the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition's statement here:
ilcleanjobs.org/2025/10/31/l...
October 31, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The transit fiscal cliff has been averted! Earlier today, Illinois lawmakers passed a $1.5B package to fund and reform transit.
Thank you all for your support in getting us to this moment. We did it y'all! 🎉🎉🎉
Read the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition's statement here:
ilcleanjobs.org/2025/10/31/l...
Thank you all for your support in getting us to this moment. We did it y'all! 🎉🎉🎉
Read the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition's statement here:
ilcleanjobs.org/2025/10/31/l...
Reposted by TransitCenter
The Illinois Senate last night passed significant transit & intercity passenger rail funding, with the House already having passed their version. Now on to Governor Pritzker to become law.
Aside from NY’s Congestion Pricing, this is the best state response to fiscal cliff threats.
Aside from NY’s Congestion Pricing, this is the best state response to fiscal cliff threats.
This is exceptionally good news to wake up to.
Illinois lawmakers approve $1.5B legislative package to buoy mass transit
Lawmakers agreed on a tax package to stave off a $200 million-plus fiscal cliff next year that would likely result in major cuts to bus and rail service at the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pac...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The Illinois Senate last night passed significant transit & intercity passenger rail funding, with the House already having passed their version. Now on to Governor Pritzker to become law.
Aside from NY’s Congestion Pricing, this is the best state response to fiscal cliff threats.
Aside from NY’s Congestion Pricing, this is the best state response to fiscal cliff threats.
A seismic win for the people of Illinois thanks to the tireless work of transit advocates from across the state. Organizing works!!! 💪
Good morning!
Last night, Illinois’ legislature passed a law, SB2111, which will fund a major expansion of service for the Chicago region’s transit systems, thanks to new revenue sources.
The law also takes a major step forward in coordination between agencies.
Last night, Illinois’ legislature passed a law, SB2111, which will fund a major expansion of service for the Chicago region’s transit systems, thanks to new revenue sources.
The law also takes a major step forward in coordination between agencies.
Statement from the RTA: "The passage of SB2111 is a landmark moment for public transit in Illinois."
Read the full statement here or below. www.rtachicago.org/about-rta/pr...
Read the full statement here or below. www.rtachicago.org/about-rta/pr...
October 31, 2025 at 12:54 PM
A seismic win for the people of Illinois thanks to the tireless work of transit advocates from across the state. Organizing works!!! 💪
“The allure of free buses is partly that many of these other interventions are harder.”
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Can Faster Buses Really Be Free?
An analysis of the possible promise and fundamental tension in one of Zohran Mamdani’s big plans for New York.
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:53 PM
“The allure of free buses is partly that many of these other interventions are harder.”
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Transit agencies take so much heat for being “inefficient” while State DOTs have largely escaped scrutiny for continuously lighting money on fire.
US highway spending is a mess.
Yale prof @zliscow.bsky.social & colleagues found that South Carolina’s DOT spends $375,500 repaving a mile of highway – more than twice as much as North Carolina.
In @bloomberg.com, I spoke with Liscow about the wild inefficiencies of state DOTs.
Yale prof @zliscow.bsky.social & colleagues found that South Carolina’s DOT spends $375,500 repaving a mile of highway – more than twice as much as North Carolina.
In @bloomberg.com, I spoke with Liscow about the wild inefficiencies of state DOTs.
American Roads Are Paved With Inefficiency
Why do US highway projects cost so much? A researcher finds some surprising sources of infrastructure inflation, and points to ways to make road work more affordable.
www.bloomberg.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Transit agencies take so much heat for being “inefficient” while State DOTs have largely escaped scrutiny for continuously lighting money on fire.
Reposted by TransitCenter
"In the two years since the state started charging a 4% surtax on incomes over $1 million, the effort has created a $5.7 billion windfall, with the surplus being used to fund bridge repairs, bolster literacy programs and address the transportation system’s budget deficit."
Taxing the rich works!
Taxing the rich works!
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM
"In the two years since the state started charging a 4% surtax on incomes over $1 million, the effort has created a $5.7 billion windfall, with the surplus being used to fund bridge repairs, bolster literacy programs and address the transportation system’s budget deficit."
Taxing the rich works!
Taxing the rich works!
Reposted by TransitCenter
On Friday, I'm talking with a transit expert about the authority governors have to shift the final year of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill funding away from highways, to EVs, transit, & pedestrians. Many governors do not know they have this authority! And this year is a crucial window!
Questions?
Questions?
States Have More Power Than They Think to Fund Sustainable Transportation
States have the authority to fund trains, buses, bike lanes, and sidewalks with money that would otherwise be used to build more highways.
collaborative.evergreenaction.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
On Friday, I'm talking with a transit expert about the authority governors have to shift the final year of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill funding away from highways, to EVs, transit, & pedestrians. Many governors do not know they have this authority! And this year is a crucial window!
Questions?
Questions?
Reposted by TransitCenter
people seriously underplay the strength of elected leaders, influential people and the like just saying a thing.
just... like... say a thing and repeat it. its the core of politics and communications. you say a thing and say it over and over and it becomes the story. it works.
just... like... say a thing and repeat it. its the core of politics and communications. you say a thing and say it over and over and it becomes the story. it works.
October 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM
people seriously underplay the strength of elected leaders, influential people and the like just saying a thing.
just... like... say a thing and repeat it. its the core of politics and communications. you say a thing and say it over and over and it becomes the story. it works.
just... like... say a thing and repeat it. its the core of politics and communications. you say a thing and say it over and over and it becomes the story. it works.
Reposted by TransitCenter
Reporting from New York Focus last year found that the Hudson Valley highway expansion would save drivers six minutes max, at a cost of $1.3 billion.
nysfocus.com/2025/10/14/h...
nysfocus.com/2025/10/14/h...
Hochul Hits Pause on Hudson Valley Highway Expansion
Reporting from New York Focus last year found that the project would save drivers six minutes max, at a cost of $1.3 billion.
nysfocus.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reporting from New York Focus last year found that the Hudson Valley highway expansion would save drivers six minutes max, at a cost of $1.3 billion.
nysfocus.com/2025/10/14/h...
nysfocus.com/2025/10/14/h...
Reposted by TransitCenter
Drives me nuts that things like bike lanes get painted as luxury goods or harbingers of gentrification when making it easy and convenient to get around your city by bike could save low-income households thousands of dollars a year.
One of the less discussed harms of car-centric planning is that it imposes a serious financial burden on working families. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/b...
Lower-Income Americans Are Missing Car Payments
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Drives me nuts that things like bike lanes get painted as luxury goods or harbingers of gentrification when making it easy and convenient to get around your city by bike could save low-income households thousands of dollars a year.
Reposted by TransitCenter
Thanks so much to @emilypont.bsky.social for covering what might be the most underrated climate battlefield there is. As I say in the piece, in the Trump era, there is no clearer opportunity for state and local elected officials to make a tangible difference on climate than saving transit.
3 of America’s Biggest Public Transit Systems Are Teetering on the Brink
Riders in Chicago, Philadelphia, and the San Francisco Bay Area are staring down budget crises, with deep service cuts not far behind.
heatmap.news
October 20, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Thanks so much to @emilypont.bsky.social for covering what might be the most underrated climate battlefield there is. As I say in the piece, in the Trump era, there is no clearer opportunity for state and local elected officials to make a tangible difference on climate than saving transit.
Reposted by TransitCenter
US public transit has plenty of good-news stories! www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/mbta-bo...
How Boston transit leaders fixed a failing transit system
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority recovered from safety lapses that prompted the Federal Transit Administration to oversee the agency’s transit rail system in 2022.
www.smartcitiesdive.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
US public transit has plenty of good-news stories! www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/mbta-bo...
Your regular reminder that robustly funding public agencies to develop in-house capacity instead of outsourcing to consultants saves money and time.
Doing everything with consultants has so many drawbacks. I would love to work for a government agency that is staffed to do capital work itself for a while. Just to see how much of a difference it makes.
You know how much time I spend just getting contractors and consultants to agree to do things?
You know how much time I spend just getting contractors and consultants to agree to do things?
October 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Your regular reminder that robustly funding public agencies to develop in-house capacity instead of outsourcing to consultants saves money and time.
Reposted by TransitCenter
For everyone stuck writing about today’s cancellations, here’s the metadata from the “rule” that Vought claims both New York and Chicago are somehow in violation of. The PDF to post it wasn’t even created until 5:47pm, was last modified at 5:55pm. And the government shut down six hours later at 12am
October 3, 2025 at 1:29 PM
For everyone stuck writing about today’s cancellations, here’s the metadata from the “rule” that Vought claims both New York and Chicago are somehow in violation of. The PDF to post it wasn’t even created until 5:47pm, was last modified at 5:55pm. And the government shut down six hours later at 12am
Reposted by TransitCenter
Yesterday, NY; today:
“WASHINGTON (AP) — White House budget director Russ Vought said the Trump administration will withhold $2.1 billion for Chicago infrastructure projects, expanding funding fights that have targeted Democratic areas during the government shutdown.”
— apnews.com/article/gove...
“WASHINGTON (AP) — White House budget director Russ Vought said the Trump administration will withhold $2.1 billion for Chicago infrastructure projects, expanding funding fights that have targeted Democratic areas during the government shutdown.”
— apnews.com/article/gove...
Trump pauses $2.1B for Chicago infrastructure projects, leveraging shutdown to pressure Democrats
White House budget director Russ Vought says the Trump administration will withhold $2.1 billion for Chicago infrastructure projects, expanding funding fights that have targeted Democratic areas durin...
apnews.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Yesterday, NY; today:
“WASHINGTON (AP) — White House budget director Russ Vought said the Trump administration will withhold $2.1 billion for Chicago infrastructure projects, expanding funding fights that have targeted Democratic areas during the government shutdown.”
— apnews.com/article/gove...
“WASHINGTON (AP) — White House budget director Russ Vought said the Trump administration will withhold $2.1 billion for Chicago infrastructure projects, expanding funding fights that have targeted Democratic areas during the government shutdown.”
— apnews.com/article/gove...
Reposted by TransitCenter
Almost 1 in 5 people w/disabilities live in households without a car.
Safe, reliable transportation should be accessible for all.
Understand the reality of millions & join us for a #WeekWithoutDriving: buff.ly/QwYNZgH
#TransportationOptions #Nondrivers #Research #AmericaWalks #ClimateAndCommunity
Safe, reliable transportation should be accessible for all.
Understand the reality of millions & join us for a #WeekWithoutDriving: buff.ly/QwYNZgH
#TransportationOptions #Nondrivers #Research #AmericaWalks #ClimateAndCommunity
October 2, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Almost 1 in 5 people w/disabilities live in households without a car.
Safe, reliable transportation should be accessible for all.
Understand the reality of millions & join us for a #WeekWithoutDriving: buff.ly/QwYNZgH
#TransportationOptions #Nondrivers #Research #AmericaWalks #ClimateAndCommunity
Safe, reliable transportation should be accessible for all.
Understand the reality of millions & join us for a #WeekWithoutDriving: buff.ly/QwYNZgH
#TransportationOptions #Nondrivers #Research #AmericaWalks #ClimateAndCommunity