Today’s Headlines
Monday’s Headlines
Uber and Lyft drivers are pushing to unionize for better pay. One driver told The Guardian he made $3.75 an hour after expenses to risk his life during a snowstorm. Employees of a Lyft contractor that operates bike-shares are unionizing, too (San Francisco Examiner). Meanwhile, as Lyft prepares to go public, the unprofitable company is … Continued
March 25, 2019
Friday’s Headlines
Drivers are killing pedestrians in greater numbers in part because people are increasingly forced to walk in places that were built on the assumption that no one would ever walk there, like freeways and wide surface arterial roads. Authorities have responded mainly by blaming victims, rather than provide safe places for people to walk. As … Continued
March 22, 2019
Thursday’s Headlines
Transit advocates are criticizing President Trump’s proposed budget for cutting transportation funding and failing to take advantage of an opportunity for infrastructure investment (Smart Cities Dive). Meanwhile, Trump’s Federal Transit Administration continues to allow projects to languish by refusing to disburse the funds it does have (Streetsblog). Most Streetsblog readers probably don’t agree with Trump … Continued
March 21, 2019
Wednesday’s Headlines
A referendum in Atlanta’s largest suburban county, Gwinnett, on joining the metro area’s transit system and investing a 1 percent sales tax in rail and buses failed by a 54 percent to 46 percent margin (AJC). The race was always about, well, race, as City Lab reported. Timing and turnout were issues, too. Although some … Continued
March 20, 2019
Tuesday’s Headlines
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey lifted regulations that had kept Uber out of the Grand Canyon State. Uber programmed the self-driving cars it tested on Arizona roads not to brake when they detected an obstacle in front of them. The backup driver was watching a video when an autonomous SUV struck and killed a woman crossing … Continued
March 19, 2019
Monday’s Headlines
Gwinnett County’s Republican sheriff and district attorney have endorsed expanding transit in Atlanta’s largest suburb, which could help assuage voters’ (unfounded) fears that transit will bring crime to the area (AJC). Writing for Atlanta Magazine, an expert on autonomous vehicles defends investing in traditional rail and buses. Next City quotes Gwinnett officials as saying that … Continued
March 18, 2019
Friday’s Headlines
Skynet is closer to becoming self-aware: Uber has nearly secured a $1-billion investment in its autonomous car division, according to Bloomberg. The U.S. Department of Transportation has formed a council to support this emerging technology. (Engadget) In Singapore, Volvo is about to start testing full-size self-driving buses. (also Bloomberg) Uber has settled a lawsuit filed by … Continued
March 15, 2019
Thursday’s Headlines
President Trump’s proposed budget includes $200 million for infrastructure, but leaves the details up to Congress. (MarketWatch) While road-pavers argue that investment pays for itself (The Hill), another shutdown showdown looms. (Politico) Meanwhile, with Washington in gridlock, states are saying they’ll do it themselves. (Crain’s) The Streets for All Coalition, whose formation was announced at … Continued
March 14, 2019
Wednesday’s Headlines
Increasingly more reliable SUVs mean that “Peak Car” isn’t here yet, according to a Bloomberg columnist. That means Americans will continue to drive more miles and kill more pedestrians in the years to come. Thanks to the growing popularity of e-bikes, which need to be charged, the future of bike-share is likely a hybrid of … Continued
March 13, 2019
Tuesday’s Headlines
News of layoffs at Lyft, which recently bought the bike-share company Motivate, seem to indicate the company is going all-in on scooters at the expense of bikes. (Tech Crunch) If voters in the populous Atlanta suburb of Gwinnett County approve a $5.5-billion transportation referendum next week and join the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, it … Continued
March 12, 2019