Nathan
@kalinsky.bsky.social
he/him | Urban Studies student in Baltimore | Mostly transit, urbanism, and Baltimore stuff | Opinions mine, likes/reposts/follows ≠ endorsement.
Notably the plan envisions a 47 minute trip between Baltimore Penn and Washington Union vs the current 58 minute schedule, 11 minutes or nearly 20% faster than current schedules.
November 25, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Notably the plan envisions a 47 minute trip between Baltimore Penn and Washington Union vs the current 58 minute schedule, 11 minutes or nearly 20% faster than current schedules.
The 31 Av bike boulevard in Astoria, this city is genuinely incredible
October 16, 2025 at 7:19 PM
The 31 Av bike boulevard in Astoria, this city is genuinely incredible
The 14th Street busway at Union Square in New York, this could be Baltimore Street if we were brave enough.
October 16, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The 14th Street busway at Union Square in New York, this could be Baltimore Street if we were brave enough.
Good morning from the Amtrak NextGen Acela, my first ride on the new trainsets.
October 13, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Good morning from the Amtrak NextGen Acela, my first ride on the new trainsets.
Some of the more bizarre alignment choices of the 1960s transit planners become very apparent on a geographically accurate map, such as the western line on Edmondson Avenue in Catonsville, and the northeastern line via Sinclair Ln and Cedonia Ave, largely avoiding the Belair Rd corridor.
October 12, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Some of the more bizarre alignment choices of the 1960s transit planners become very apparent on a geographically accurate map, such as the western line on Edmondson Avenue in Catonsville, and the northeastern line via Sinclair Ln and Cedonia Ave, largely avoiding the Belair Rd corridor.
Sketched out the 1968 Baltimore Region Rapid Transit System plan in Subway Builder. The game simulates about 122,000 daily riders on the system's five lines and 62 stations.
October 12, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Sketched out the 1968 Baltimore Region Rapid Transit System plan in Subway Builder. The game simulates about 122,000 daily riders on the system's five lines and 62 stations.
The specifications outlined in the RFP seem to closely match the dimensions of the Siemens S700, which is in-use on about a dozen streetcar and light rail systems across the United States.
September 16, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The specifications outlined in the RFP seem to closely match the dimensions of the Siemens S700, which is in-use on about a dozen streetcar and light rail systems across the United States.
MDOT MTA's request for proposals for new 70% low floor LRVs for the Central Light Rail line is out. The base order includes 52 LRVs, with options for up to 50 additional LRVs for the Baltimore Red Line project.
September 16, 2025 at 6:11 PM
MDOT MTA's request for proposals for new 70% low floor LRVs for the Central Light Rail line is out. The base order includes 52 LRVs, with options for up to 50 additional LRVs for the Baltimore Red Line project.
The Metro Transit Green Line through the University of Minnesota campus comes to mind
August 27, 2025 at 10:34 PM
The Metro Transit Green Line through the University of Minnesota campus comes to mind
In spite of a tough state budget year, today's MTA Maryland service changes modestly expand transit service in the Baltimore region. This is in stark constrast to the 20% SEPTA service cuts which went into effect in Philadelphia today. The public transit death spiral is an avoidable policy choice.
August 24, 2025 at 9:36 PM
In spite of a tough state budget year, today's MTA Maryland service changes modestly expand transit service in the Baltimore region. This is in stark constrast to the 20% SEPTA service cuts which went into effect in Philadelphia today. The public transit death spiral is an avoidable policy choice.
Nova LFS articulated on the 70?
August 23, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Nova LFS articulated on the 70?
Really am not liking the proliferation of privately operated automated license plate readers. It'd be one thing if they were county operated and integrated into automated traffic enforcement, but they're owned and maintained by an AI surveillance firm, seems rife for abuse.
August 12, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Really am not liking the proliferation of privately operated automated license plate readers. It'd be one thing if they were county operated and integrated into automated traffic enforcement, but they're owned and maintained by an AI surveillance firm, seems rife for abuse.
Challenge: post your last photo taken in DC to show what a hell-hole it is
August 11, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Challenge: post your last photo taken in DC to show what a hell-hole it is
Low floor does not necessarily mean pedestrians cross the tracks at grade. Many of Sound Transit's side platform stations have fencing preventing this.
August 1, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Low floor does not necessarily mean pedestrians cross the tracks at grade. Many of Sound Transit's side platform stations have fencing preventing this.
A 56 year old GP39H-2, originally built in for the B&O in 1969, still in active service on the MARC Penn Line.
July 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
A 56 year old GP39H-2, originally built in for the B&O in 1969, still in active service on the MARC Penn Line.
Why is Virginia like this
June 22, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Why is Virginia like this
MARAD's inventory of oceangoing US-flagged merchant ships contains a grand total of 185 total ships, only 92 of which are Jones Act compliant. This bill is a complete disaster and will massively increase US infrastructure costs to prop up a near-dead shipbuilding and shipping industry.
June 21, 2025 at 2:44 AM
MARAD's inventory of oceangoing US-flagged merchant ships contains a grand total of 185 total ships, only 92 of which are Jones Act compliant. This bill is a complete disaster and will massively increase US infrastructure costs to prop up a near-dead shipbuilding and shipping industry.
The plan is phased in over a 10 year period. Additional operators and mechanics would be hired over this period. A fifth division would be operational by year 8, with additional bus buys beginning in year 5. Service increases phase in as additional fleet and personnel resources become available.
June 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
The plan is phased in over a 10 year period. Additional operators and mechanics would be hired over this period. A fifth division would be operational by year 8, with additional bus buys beginning in year 5. Service increases phase in as additional fleet and personnel resources become available.
In order to achieve this vision, a fifth bus division and approximately 240 additional buses are required. Capital costs for the fifth bus division is estimated to cost $650mn, and 240 new buses are estimated at $365mn. Operating costs for the visionary network are an additional $130mn per year.
June 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
In order to achieve this vision, a fifth bus division and approximately 240 additional buses are required. Capital costs for the fifth bus division is estimated to cost $650mn, and 240 new buses are estimated at $365mn. Operating costs for the visionary network are an additional $130mn per year.
In addition, four microtransit zones in Belair-Edison, Edmondson, Southwest Baltimore, and Woodlawn are proposed. Four new regional bus services to Annapolis, Bel Air, Columbia, and Frederick are also included in the plan.
June 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
In addition, four microtransit zones in Belair-Edison, Edmondson, Southwest Baltimore, and Woodlawn are proposed. Four new regional bus services to Annapolis, Bel Air, Columbia, and Frederick are also included in the plan.
BMORE BUS expands the frequent transit network by 24%, represents a 36% increase in weekly service hours, a 21% increase in trips per weekday, 46% per weekend, and 48% overnight.
June 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
BMORE BUS expands the frequent transit network by 24%, represents a 36% increase in weekly service hours, a 21% increase in trips per weekday, 46% per weekend, and 48% overnight.
The proposed overnight network of 20 routes represents a significant increase of service over baseline existing overnight coverage.
June 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
The proposed overnight network of 20 routes represents a significant increase of service over baseline existing overnight coverage.
BMORE BUS would substantially increase the reach of frequent transit, covering nearly all of Baltimore City and substantial portions of Baltimore County and northern Anne Arundel County.
June 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
BMORE BUS would substantially increase the reach of frequent transit, covering nearly all of Baltimore City and substantial portions of Baltimore County and northern Anne Arundel County.
Eastern Baltimore County would receive two new LocalLink routes, one between Tradepoint Atlantic and Bowley's Quarters, and the other between White Marsh and Essex.
June 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Eastern Baltimore County would receive two new LocalLink routes, one between Tradepoint Atlantic and Bowley's Quarters, and the other between White Marsh and Essex.