Interview with @benschneider.bsky.social on transit and housing initiatives in Los Angeles. franknewsus.substack.com/p/las-urban-...

“One year after the start of congestion pricing, traffic jams are less severe, streets are safer, and commute times are improving for travelers from well beyond Manhattan …. And it has probably contributed to rising transit ridership.” www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Bracing start to the day/year: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...

New New York Mayor puts transportation at center of agenda with prompt pick of Transportation Commissioner. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/n...

"What is not widely recognized is that intercity buses are the most cost-effective, least subsidized, and most fuel-efficient mode of long-distance travel." usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/23/t...

"Illinois did just that in October, with the 'Halloween Miracle' that brought transit back from the brink — and set a powerful example for how other states can throw their weight behind shared and active modes." 👏https://usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/27/year-in-review-what-gave-us-hope-in-a-dark-2025

Credit rating upgrades for @chicagocta.bsky.social and @rtachicago.bsky.social a positive result of @govpritzker.illinois.gov recent signing of the transit reform bill. www.bondbuyer.com/news/moodys-...

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u... Trump Administration loses in Supreme Court on national guard deployment in Chicago. Rare S.Ct. ruling against Administration.

The point I wish got emphasized more is that the big winners from congestion pricing are *people who urgently need to drive*. Because they are ones that travel times really matter for. I always thought that instead of congestion pricing it should be called "free streets" - free from other cars.

Traffic is down inside New York City's congestion pricing zone but sales tax revenue growth is up compared to areas outside the zone. Biggest 2025 US transportation sector success story? www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Peer review request @mclean.bsky.social on his work visualizing the impact of the People Over Parking Act, which nixes government-mandated parking minimums in the vicinity of areas served by frequent transit service.

Like Thomas said, weigh in on this important survey at the link below engage.cmap.illinois.gov/2026-rtp/sur.... Oppose NDLSD? Oppose more vehicle lanes? Support transit? This is the survey for you. Fill it out by 12/31 to make your voice heard.

Per new @nikhunder.com analysis, increasing bus stop spacing "could translate into speed improvements of 14-29% depending on the route, traffic levels, and how many stops are removed. That’s a remarkable increase in speed, at minimal cost to the agency." citythatworks.substack.com/p/a-plan-for...

Rail operator staffing and recent rail service trends @chicagocta.bsky.social.

The Chicago Agency for Planning (CMAP), the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Chicago region, is putting together its next long-range plan. Transportation projects included in the plan are green lighted for federal funding/delivery. It's a ~1/2 $T plan 👀. 🧵

Update @cameronbolton.bsky.social @chi.streetsblog.org on the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways O'Hare Area Bike Network Study, which is examining ways to create a more connected bikeway network in the communities surrounding the airport. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/12/16/o...

Stocking stuffer idea for your transit nerd/urbanist friends and extended family. 🎅🧑‍🎄🎄⛄😉

As a regular traveler on the North Ave. corridor I can walk faster than @chicagocta.bsky.social buses travel during peak times from Halsted to the Chicago River. Buses on public streets providing affordable mobility for the general public should not be boxed in by single occupancy private vehicles.

Compilation @chi.streetsblog.org of public official comments at signing of the Illinois transit reform bill. Speakers emphasized "transformative" nature of the legislation, which should guide who gets appointed to NITA's Board and expectations for NITA's staff. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/12/16/a...

Pace Suburban Bus collecting public feedback on its feasibility studies underway for I-290 and I-88 express bus service. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/12/18/a...

Automated freight and rideshare vehicles are scaling up nationally. This article looks at federal policy response. Hopefully, IDOT and local DOTs in Illinois are preparing for their arrival. enotrans.org/article/2025...

One might understandably question the motives and good faith of those who threaten to cut $50M from a public transit agency, while demanding expensive new security initiatives, but not holding highway authorities equally responsible for crime and crashes on highways and streets. Small sample: ⬇️

Trump administration threatens $50 million Chicago Transit Authority funding cut, says CTA security plan, whose implementation just started, is “materially deficient.” chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...

State of Illinois joins multi-state lawsuit against Uber. chicagocrusader.com/attorney-gen...

"Transit Scheduling 101: Scheduling Math" by Chicago-based planner Joshua Woods. thoughtsaboutcities.substack.com/p/transit-sc...

Regional Transportation Authority approves 2026 budgets for transit agencies serving the Chicago region and looks ahead to its successor, the Northern Illinois Transit Agency (NITA). chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...

New security effort by @chicagocta.bsky.social beefs up police presence. chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...

A coalition of 17 states and the District of Columbia has sued USDOT and FHWA, arguing that the federal government unlawfully reversed transportation GHG performance standards used to plan, fund, and deliver infrastructure projects. www.environmentenergyleader.com/stories/stat...

Very dynamic budget situation currently in the City of Chicago. chi.streetsblog.org/2025/12/10/d...

New book, "A History of Bicycling in Illinois: 160 Years of Booms and Busts," out early next month: "Bicycles were once a top export from the state of Illinois with manufacturing centers in the state...making two-thirds of all bicycles sold in the country in 1898." www.wglt.org/local-news/2...

If there is anyone left who hasn't read the 1000+ page Illinois transit reform bill, this is a good summary in @chi.streetsblog.org.

Nothing on the agenda of the 12/18/25 meeting of the Illinois Tollway Board relating to the toll hikes directed by the Illinois General Assembly as part of the transit reform package. www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/i...

Transit reform bill signed by Governor Pritzker yesterday funds passenger rail service to the Quad Cities. www.kwqc.com/2025/12/17/i...

Laura Washington: "The Donald Trump administration is right to call out Chicago’s CTA safety issues. Let’s hope the pressure from the feds will pump up the volume on safety and security on the CTA." www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/17/c...

Mixed reaction along political party lines to Governor Pritzker’s signing of the Illinois transit reform legislation. Hard work of implementation commences. chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...

Governor Pritzker signs the Illinois transit reform bill. June 1, 2026 effective date.

Illinois transit reform bill (SB2111) being signed at Union Station.

"The Atlas of Inner-City Highway Impacts" unveiled. usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/15/f...

In its first 6 months New York City's congestion pricing program has reduced air pollution by 22% in Manhattan’s toll zone, while improving air quality across the entire metropolitan region, according to new @cornelluniversity.bsky.social research. airqualitynews.com/cars-freight...

Still waiting for letters from @usdot.bsky.social threatening to withhold federal funding from highway agencies that fail to keep people safe from crime and crashes, consistent with the letters sent to public transit agencies by USDOT.

New Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority strategic plan contemplates expansion of the South Shore rail system, possible revival of the Illiana Expressway, and more. thttps://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/13/planes-trains-automobiles-rdas-strategic-plan-sets-20-year-goals/

Heard that a building w/3-story parking garage podium is planned for the Milwaukee/Damen/North Avenue intersection area in Chicago because the merchants and neighborhood association want to encourage suburbanites to drive to shop in the area. Blame Milw. Ave. bike lanes for cutting street parking.

New kind of El debuts in Paris region. The 4.5-km cable car route connects Créteil to Villeneuve-Saint-Georges. The cable car will carry some 11,000 passengers/day in its 105 wheelchair and bike accessible gondolas. Roughly 1/10 the cost of a subway. www.rfi.fr/en/france/20...

Looks like density and developer investments in public infrastructure have both dropped from the Sterling Bay Lincoln Yards plan. Can we get Foundry Park done on former industrial site at Cortland/Southport before we lose more housing, people, tax revenue? www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-r...

“This tragedy is a reminder that Sheridan Road, a four-lane, highway-like street where speeding is common, badly needs a ‘road diet.’" chi.streetsblog.org/2025/12/12/t...

For those anticipating the arrival of robotaxis in the Chicago region, this report from the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association is a good introduction to the players in the robotaxi sector and the business case for automating rideshare vehicles. www.theavindustry.org/press-releas...

NEW: Since the start of the year, Chicago taxpayers spent $204.6M to resolve lawsuits brought by 22 people wrongfully convicted based on evidence gathered by the Chicago Police Department, according to an analysis of city data by @wttw.bsky.social

As a senior citizen, this bill signing counts as a big win that could have real-life benefits for me and many others in some not too distant future. news.wttw.com/2025/12/12/p...

The passenger vehicle toll rates on the Illinois Tollway have not changed since 2012. (Freight vehicle tolls are inflation adjusted.) www.illinoispolicy.org/1b-unneeded-...

"It frosts me that the streets are plowed well, and I’m going to have to walk in the street because you obviously think more of vehicles than you do human beings.” 1 death already may be attributable to uncleared bus stop. Surely negatively affects ridership too. chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...