We believe that transit and infrastructure stands at an unprecedented time. Advancing local government, transportation, and public services will require more than simply money -- it will require a shared understanding of the challenges we face and the solutions these times require.
Tucked inside the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure agreement is an additional $2.5 billion for local transit agencies to buy electric buses. That will need to be just a down payment if the United States is going to catch China in the race to power zero-emission public transit. According to a Bloomberg estimate, about 425,000 electronic buses (e-buses) are in operation worldwide today; 421,000 – more than 99 percent – are in China. 300 are in the United States. Why can’t the U.S. move as swiftly as China in building e-bus fleets?
Read MoreThe COVID-19 crisis forced transit agencies to quickly facilitate flexible operations through virtual platforms. Some agencies managed the disruption better than others. Here’s a roadmap for developing a comprehensive IT strategy to improve operations and better manage the next crisis.
Read MoreMaking public transit free might seem a crazy idea, but it has benefits that can outweigh the costs. It's widespread in Europe, and more American transit agencies should give it a serious look.
Read MoreThe COVID-19 vaccines have allowed people to safely eat dinner at a restaurant, go to a ballgame, and take the bus or train. Data from the Federal Transit Administration's National Transit Database suggests riders remain wary of public transit, even after vaccinations began.
Read MorePublic transit is in an unprecedented moment of crisis. Riders have abandoned public transit as the novel coronavirus spreads, and there are plenty of warning signs that they may not soon return. Can public transit agencies bring these passengers back, or will these passengers stay permanently away? The solution will come only after a fundamental evaluation of what a public transit agency does.
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