Public Transit

L.A. Mayor Seeks Sales Tax Increase For Transit

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's half-cent increase in the county's sales tax would create $30-$40 billion for transportation projects over the next 30 years, and could go before voters in November.

June 27, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Why Transit is an 'Inferior Good'

In my last post, I suggested that transit’s “resurgence” is, ultimately, much ado about nothing. Transit’s increased ridership, while important for transit managers, will do little to change fundamental travel patterns of US urban areas.

June 25, 2008 - Samuel Staley

St. Charles Streetcar Clangs Back to Life

The streetcar returns to New Orleans' St. Charles Ave., a step forward in the long struggle to get the city's transit back on it's feet after Katrina.

June 21, 2008 - The Associated Press

Now That People Are Using Transit, Improve It

Driving is down, transit ridership is up, but few are serisouly talking about how to improve America's transit system, according to this article from Grist, which wonders why.

June 9, 2008 - Grist

Gas Prices Cause High Demand for Transit

Rising gas prices have caused a big increase in transit ridership in Loudoun County, Virginia, where officials are looking to expand their bus fleet and capacity to handle the jump in demand.

May 31, 2008 - The Washington Post

Comprehensive Analysis of Transit Energy Conservation Benefits

A recent report by the libertarian Cato Institute, Does Rail Transit Save Energy or Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions?, claims that public transit service improvements are ineffective at conserving energy and reducing pollution emissions. But this conclusion is based on faulty analysis.

May 27, 2008 - Todd Litman

Seattle to Reward People for Not Driving

City officials and local businesses in Seattle are teaming up to offer cash and prizes to residents who limit their car use this summer.

May 23, 2008 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Soccer Tournaments Spur Transit Projects in South Africa

In preparation for two major soccer tournaments -- the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2009 Confederations Cup -- South Africa is moving ahead on schedule in constructing major public transit systems in the events' host cities.

May 22, 2008 - BuaNews via AllAfrica.com

Is The FTA Killing Game-Day Transit?

Game-day transit options are popular amenities in big cities, but new FTA regulations could force them to the curb. Cincinnati's Metro feels the heat from the Feds.

May 22, 2008 - Business Courier of Cincinnati

Oregonians Driving Less, Riding Transit More

Rising gas prices are pushing more and more Oregon drivers out of their cars. High public transit ridership figures and a reduction in vehicle-miles traveled suggest former drivers are now using transit instead of driving.

May 14, 2008 - The Oregonian

Planning System Needs to Look at the 'Big Picture'

Officials in Melbourne, Australia, are so frustrated with the city's lackluster planning process that they are pushing for the creation of a new planning authority -- one they hope will look at the "big picture".

May 6, 2008 - The Age

New London Mayor Outlines Traffic and Transit Ideas

In this interview from last year, the now newly-elected mayor of London, Boris Johnson, talks about the importance of biking in the city, improving public transportation, and abolishing the city's congestion pricing system.

May 6, 2008 - Streetsblog

Debating L.A.'s Growth, Traffic and Transit

The Transit Coalition's Bart Reed and USC planning Professor Peter Gordon debate transit and traffic in L.A. in this five-part point-counterpoint series.

May 6, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Yes or No: Evaluating Public Transit

On the bus this morning I was handed a survey asking me to detail my satisfaction with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's public transit system. As a daily bus commuter, I was more than happy to spend my two cents, but I'm a bit skeptical that those two cents will really do anything.

May 5, 2008 - Nate Berg

Should Toronto Put the Bus Stop Up For Sale?

A transportation official in Toronto is hoping to convince colleagues that the system should allow advertisers to buy naming rights for transit stops in the city as a way of increasing revenue, but many remain opposed.

April 30, 2008 - The Ottawa Citizen

Developer Action Needed to Spur Light Rail Plans

Private investors and developers must come forward and plan around proposed rail lines in Detroit if there is any hope of transit materializing, according to this editorial.

April 30, 2008 - The Detroit Free Press

D.C.'s 'Mystery Rider' Metro Evaluation Plan Panned

The Washington D.C. Metro transit system is planning to hire a group of "mystery riders" to discretely monitor the system and identify areas for improvement. Critics call the plan a waste of money.

April 28, 2008 - The Washington Post

Downtown Tram Planned for Burj Dubai

Plans for a 4.6 km tramway have been announced for downtown Burj Dubai -- a $136 million transit system intended to link major developments in the rapidly rising emirate.

April 26, 2008 - Arabian Business

Atlanta Survey Respondents Support Tax for Transit

A survey of residents in metro Atlanta shows that 58% of residents would support an additional 1-cent tax to fund public transit.

April 26, 2008 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Housing Prices Drop Lower as Commute Distances Rise

Homes farther out from the central city and with longer commutes are being hit harder by the downturn in the housing market. Those located close to city cores and transit are faring better, according to this report from NPR.

April 24, 2008 - NPR

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.