The hottest Public Transit Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

The Abundance Christmas Quiz!

Odds and Ends of History • 469 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🎙 Podcasts Public Transit
  1. A special Christmas quiz episode focuses on transport, infrastructure and urbanism topics in a festive format.
  2. The quiz is hosted by Only Connect question-writer Stephen Jorgenson-Murray and features panellists CityEd and comedian/author Andrew Hunter Murray.
  3. The episode is part of The Abundance Agenda podcast, available on major platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Substack, with links to hosts' newsletters and a request for listeners to share and leave reviews.

Why Transit In Oakland Sucks

The Discourse Lounge • 1443 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Transit
  1. Oakland's public transit is underfunded and not very helpful, making many people rely on cars. Even in a dense area, it's hard for low-income families to give up their cars because transit options aren't reliable.
  2. Simply removing parking requirements won't fix Oakland's transit problems. There needs to be more focus on improving and funding public transport to reduce car dependency effectively.
  3. Oakland's city leaders haven't prioritized expanding transit, and as a result, the transit system is disorganized and ineffective. Without a solid plan for better transit, the city struggles to meet its climate goals.

Mamdani’s Clown Show Offers Its Opening Act

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 61 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Transit
  1. He promised big changes on affordability and free transit, but a subway and bus fare increase right after he took office exposed a gap between his slogans and what actually happens.
  2. He focused on high‑profile, symbolic fights like protesting World Cup ticket prices without any real authority or concrete plan, which looks more like showmanship than problem‑solving.
  3. Appointments of housing activists who have criticized private property and a false claim about being "briefed" on a federal operation triggered backlash and suggest he’s prioritizing ideology and image over practical governance.

Why American needs fewer bus stops

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
🪑 Design Public Transit
  1. American buses stop too often, which makes them slow, unreliable, and less useful than driving. Increasing the distance between stops (stop balancing) speeds buses up and expands how far riders can get in the same time.
  2. Stop balancing is cheap and quick to do and lowers operating costs because faster routes need fewer drivers to maintain the same frequency. Agencies can use those savings to run more service or protect routes from cuts.
  3. Fewer, better-placed stops let agencies invest in higher-quality shelters, real-time info, and safer sidewalks, improving the rider experience and visibility of the network. Closing overlapping stops usually only slightly reduces coverage while making the remaining stops more useful and likely to attract riders.

A Streetcar Named Seattle

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 299 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💾 History Public Transit
  1. Seattle once had a large trolley and cable car system used by millions before it was replaced by buses in 1941. It was a major form of transportation before most people owned cars.
  2. Many physical reminders of the trolley system still exist in Seattle, like special street corners and widened streets made for the trolleys. These features show how the city was planned around this transportation method.
  3. The modern electric trolleys in Seattle run on routes that often follow the old trolley paths, preserving a piece of the city's history in its current transit system.
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Mini Exasperation #4

Exasperated Infrastructures • 14 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Transit
  1. Showing up matters — attending local advocacy events and tours gets officials, media, and neighbors to pay attention and can move projects forward.
  2. We need audacious but realistic transit and housing plans that account for capacity and geometry, because thoughtful investment can add miles, stations, and new homes.
  3. Small, practical fixes like targeted service extensions, bus priority, and operational improvements paired with advocacy can deliver meaningful improvements quickly.

Nobody goes to New York City anymore. It’s too crowded.

Silver Bulletin • 679 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Transit
  1. The subway in New York City is still very popular, even setting daily ride records after COVID-19. More people ride the subway daily than fly on the busiest days in the U.S.
  2. While crime is a concern in cities, New York's violent crime rates are lower than often perceived. The actual number of violent incidents, especially in the subway, is quite low compared to the number of rides.
  3. Many people are still using public transportation, despite some opting for cars or working from home. The subway remains the main way to get around the city, showing resilience and demand.

Demand More BART and Buses in Oakland!

The Discourse Lounge • 531 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Transit
  1. Oakland needs more public transit options like BART and buses, especially in busy neighborhoods. Many people depend on better transit to get to work and access the waterfront.
  2. There is a candidate forum on February 18th where locals can ask politicians about improving transit in Oakland. It's a chance for the community to push for important changes.
  3. Residents should pay attention to the candidates' views on public transit and vote for those who support more transportation options. Transit should be a key issue for Oakland voters.

Take Infinity: Mini Exasperations #1

Exasperated Infrastructures • 12 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Transit
  1. A plan to publish 52 weekly pieces focused on urban politics and infrastructure, each following a three-part format: a short observation, a few curated articles with context, and a recommended writer.
  2. Infrastructure decisions are political and require clear alternatives analysis and honest cost comparisons; big projects like tunnels or high‑speed rail come with trade‑offs around funding, oversight, and procurement (including Build America/Buy America implications).
  3. There’s an emphasis on building reader community and engagement through a short survey, subscriptions, and by spotlighting other writers to broaden conversation and connections.

The Bystander Effect

The Discourse Lounge • 569 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🎭️ Culture Public Transit
  1. Being a bystander is a normal reaction to witnessing public conflict.
  2. Online critics may not act in real-life situations.
  3. Society should hire and train experts to handle public conflicts instead of expecting bystander intervention.

The Global Rise of the Militarizing Metro

S(ubstack)-Bahn • 341 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Public Transit
  1. Metros around the world are increasingly adopting new security measures like metal detectors and facial recognition technology.
  2. Developed countries in North America and Europe have not yet embraced these security technologies in their Metro systems.
  3. The use of National Guard or military personnel in Metro systems has sparked controversy and raised concerns about privacy and civil liberties.

The magic of through running

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 13 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Transit
  1. Cities can improve their transit systems by connecting existing rail lines instead of building entirely new ones. This means people can travel faster and more easily.
  2. Through running trains can help link suburbs directly to the city center, making public transport more efficient and reducing congestion in busy areas.
  3. Developing better rail connections can lead to urban growth, making neighborhoods more desirable and improving access to jobs and services.

What Suboptimal Public Transit and Your Data Pipelines Have in Common

Bytes, Data, Action! • 19 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Public Transit
  1. Public transit and data pipelines both aim to move things from point A to point B smoothly and quickly.
  2. Issues like delays, lack of visibility, and missed connections can disrupt the experiences of both public transit and data pipelines.
  3. Efficient, transparent, and reliable practices are key to ensuring a smooth journey for both public transit users and data pipelines.

Why cities like Paris are good for the body

Julia Belluz • 17 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Transit
  1. Cities like Paris promote walking, biking, and public transit, making it easier for people to stay active. This focus on human-friendly spaces helps improve both physical and mental health.
  2. In contrast to car-dependent cities, European capitals are reclaiming urban areas for people. They are adding bike lanes, new metro stops, and making it costly to park cars.
  3. The design of cities greatly influences how we move around. Places that encourage outdoor activities can lead to healthier lifestyles for their residents.