The hottest Public Transit Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

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

Silver Bulletin • 679 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Urban Issues Public Transit Safety
  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.

Why Transit In Oakland Sucks

The Discourse Lounge • 1443 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Transit Urban planning Local government Transportation Policy
  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.

Demand More BART and Buses in Oakland!

The Discourse Lounge • 531 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Transit Election politics Local Governance Community Advocacy Transportation Policy
  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.

A Streetcar Named Seattle

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 299 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💾 History Urban History Transportation Public Transit City Development
  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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Why cities like Paris are good for the body

Julia Belluz • 17 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Physical activity Mental health 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.

The Global Rise of the Militarizing Metro

S(ubstack)-Bahn • 341 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Global Security Public Transit Law enforcement Civil Rights Surveillance technology
  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.

What Suboptimal Public Transit and Your Data Pipelines Have in Common

Bytes, Data, Action! • 19 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Data Pipelines Public Transit Monitoring Data Orchestration Data Management
  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 the US can't have nice things, part 2

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 5 HN points • 23 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Travel Public Transit Social Issues Infrastructure Society
  1. Efficient international travel can be hindered by long lines and bureaucratic challenges.
  2. Public transportation systems in cities like NYC are in need of improvement to ensure safety and cleanliness for all passengers.
  3. Social trust is a crucial element in society, and its decline can have far-reaching negative impacts.