Transportation & public transit
Access, rural and urban service, fares and useful travel information.
Why U.S. Public Transit Needs Reliable Information, Not Just a Timetable
An explanatory essay arguing that transit access depends not only on scheduled service but also on trustworthy, current information that helps riders respond to uncertainty.
Should Transit Agencies Prioritize Frequency or Geographic Coverage?
Transit agencies should generally make useful routes more frequent while guaranteeing basic access for communities with few alternatives. Federal data and rural transit policy help frame that tradeoff, but agencies must also consider unmet need and whether riders can safely use the service.
Public Transit in the USA: Why Buses and Trains Still Matter
An explanatory essay on how public transit connects people to jobs and services, why rural and urban systems differ, and why useful trips depend on connections beyond a route’s existence.
Why Rural America Needs Public Transportation Too
An explanatory essay argues that rural transit connects people to work, medical care, and other essential services, while recognizing the practical challenges of distance, cost, and locally appropriate service design.
Accessible Transit Is More Than a Wheelchair Ramp
An explanatory essay showing why transit access depends on the connected design of vehicles, stations, information, and service, with attention to federal programs and the limits of federal guidance.
Should U.S. Cities Make Public Transit Free?
A qualified argument for making transit free for targeted riders and trips while protecting the funding needed for frequent, reliable service.