Public Transit
New York MTA Officials Warn of Massive Budget Gaps Without Congestion Pricing
The agency will lose hundreds of millions in projected congestion pricing revenue, forcing cuts to expansion plans.
Mass Transit and Manure: New York’s Lost Era of Horse-Drawn Streetcars
For all the problems we have with today's mass transit system, at least we no longer have to deal with the smell and literal waste of the modern bus and light rail systems' predecessors: horse-drawn streetcars.
July’s Must Reads: Top 10 Articles from Last Month
In case you missed them, here were the biggest urban planning news items, features, and blogs from last month, including 15 new Amtrak routes, Florida’s EV law, California’s rail update, fare-free buses in Tucson, and more.
Chicago Pumps the Brakes on BRT
City officials say funding for dedicated bus lanes could take years, but other improvements could speed up bus service.
New Orleans Transit Struggles to Maintain Service
Regional transit agencies, already forced to make cuts, are calling for state funding to help them maintain service and access federal grant opportunities.
Austin Transit Agency Backs Down on Electric Bus Pledge
Technology problems, short ranges, and supply chain issues hinder Cap Metro’s ambitious electrification plan.
Chicago Transit Report Calls for Income-Based Fares, Paratransit Funding
An RTA report highlights a need for state funding to bridge an imminent $730 budget shortfall, calling for an approach that relies less heavily on fare revenue.
Tucson Keeps Buses Fare-Free
The city is doubling down on its efforts to boost bus ridership as part of its climate action plan.
Expanding the Concept of Transit-Oriented Development: Lessons from Abroad
Keeping transit planning and development siloed can limit opportunities to build affordable housing and vibrant neighborhoods.
LA is Electrifying its Bus Fleet, but Olympic Transit Challenges Remain
The region is preparing its transit system to handle the more than one million visitors expected during the 2028 Olympic Games.
Houston Council Member Questions Microtransit Investment
METRO’s support of an on-demand microtransit service comes as the agency is scaling back its bigger bus projects.
Urban Planning in Lima, Peru
For some people, ‘urban planning’ and ‘Lima’ do not go together. In fact, the Peruvian capital effectively highlights various facets of the urban planning world.
New Orleans to Offer Free Transit to Youth
Residents between 16 and 24 will have access to free public transit passes starting in September.
Planning for Equity in an Ideologically Conservative Community
To support equity goals, planners must accommodate diverse ideological perspectives, including political environments that focus on functional fairness rather than demographic categories.
King County to Sunset Public Restroom Program
The agency cites the high cost of the program and a county code that bars restroom facilities from transit centers as reasons for ending the six-month pilot.
Chicago Transit Leaders Oppose Merger Legislation, Pleading for More Funding
Ahead of a multi-million dollar fiscal cliff in 2026, CTA, Metra, and Pace pushed back on a potential merger at the first of several hearings to determine their futures in the wake of decreased ridership.
Fixing the Notorious ‘Stroad’
Why roadways that try to serve everyone can be some of the most dangerous.
US Transit Leaders Outline Current Challenges
Public transit providers still face budget gaps, staffing shortages, and challenges acquiring clean-energy vehicles.
Michigan Transit Systems Awarded Federal Grants for Clean Vehicles
Federal grants are helping to ease the transition to electric and hybrid buses.
Houston Residents Respond to Mobility Questions
What could the city look like if budget and bureaucracy were no object?
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
