Thank you all for joining us on this incredible journey—50 episodes of Transit Tangents! In this special milestone episode, we're revisiting some of our most compelling discussions and providing updates on each topic. From MTA's congestion pricing plans to the impact of the new U.S. Presidential administration and the progress of Austin's Project Connect, we’ve got you covered. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest insights and developments across the transit world! Send us a text Support the sh...
Dec 10, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 50
How can a highway that once divided neighborhoods become a bridge for community connection? Join us on Transit Tangents as we unlock the transformative power of cap and stitch projects in urban planning. From Seattle's pioneering Freeway Park to Washington DC's innovative public-private partnerships, we unpack the mechanics and potential of covering sunken highways with decks that support everything from parks to bike lanes and even small buildings. Send us a text Support the show...
Dec 03, 2024•28 min•Ep. 49
In this episode, we travel to Dallas to meet the passionate advocates behind the Dallas Area Transit Alliance (DATA), a grassroots organization committed to improving public transit. DATA President Conner Hulla and Vice President Tyler Wright join us to share the story of their movement's origins and their fight for better transit. We also dive into the ongoing battle over funding for DART where several North Texas cities have signaled their desire to reduce the amount of funding sent to the tra...
Nov 26, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 48
As we look to the future, we examine the potential impact of autonomous vehicles on our transportation systems. In America's car-centric society, these innovations hold immense promise but also pose significant challenges. Send us a text Support the show
Nov 19, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Explore the evolving landscape of student transportation with insights from Kris Hafezizadeh, a seasoned expert with over two decades of experience at Austin Independent School District. Kris delves into the unique challenges facing school transportation today—from cost disparities to complex logistical issues—while sharing a forward-looking vision that prioritizes safety and embraces the shift toward electric school buses. Send us a text Support the show...
Nov 12, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Known as the roundabout capital of the United States, Carmel has redefined road safety and efficiency with over 150 roundabouts, heralding a new era of urban design. Join us as we explore how Carmel's commitment to roundabouts has led to remarkable safety improvements and significant economic savings. We'll also highlight Carmel's impressive biking infrastructure and its status as a top cycling city. Send us a text Support the show...
Nov 05, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Bill McCamley, Executive Director of Transit Forward joins Transit Tangents to shed light on the critical role of community engagement and the collaborative efforts needed to keep ambitious projects, like Project Connect, on track. In this episode, we focus heavily on Austin but the experiences and lessons learned will be all too familiar to your city as well. Send us a text Support the show...
Oct 29, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Join us as we traverse the streets of Austin, mastering the public transit system, including buses, trains, and bike share. In this episode, we take a day-long journey around Austin, relying solely on the city’s public transit network. We discuss the system's strengths and challenges, providing tips for commuters and visitors alike. For the adventurous, we also explore Austin’s bike share program, seamlessly combining it with transit to reach some of the city’s hidden gems. Whether you're a loca...
Oct 22, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Get ready for a spine-chilling ride as we bring you a special Halloween season episode of Transit Tangents ! In this eerie edition, we're counting down the top 10 transit villains —the real-life monsters that haunt our public transit systems. From over-budget projects draining resources, to lawsuit-happy NIMBYs who stall progress at every turn, and public officials who just can't see the bigger picture, these villains are making your commute a nightmare. We'll dive into how these transit terrors...
Oct 15, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 42
What happens when a city's transit system is staring down a $30 million deficit, putting half its bus routes on the chopping block? Louisville is at a critical turning point, and our latest episode dives deep into the tough choices and creative solutions that could shape its public transit future. Whether you're a local resident, urban planner, or passionate about transit, this episode sheds light on why funding matters and explores the innovative approaches needed to keep Louisville moving forw...
Oct 08, 2024•28 min•Ep. 41
What does it take to transform decades of car-centric planning? Join us as we delve into the pivotal rail votes that have shaped Austin's transit landscape. From the setback of the 2000 rail initiative to the resounding success of the 2020 Project Connect plan, which garnered nearly 60% of voter approval. Project Connect presents a comprehensive vision featuring light rail lines, bus rapid transit routes, a commuter rail, and an "Uber-like" pickup service. This ambitious plan is poised to redefi...
Oct 01, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Imagine a Texas where you can effortlessly travel by train from Austin to San Antonio, or even journey all the way to Monterrey, Mexico. On this episode of Transit Tangents, Judge Andy Brown of Travis County joins us to share his vision for transforming passenger rail service in Central Texas. He gives us an insider's perspective on the challenges and opportunities for developing these critical rail connections. We also highlight the collaborative spirit driving these rail projects forward, emph...
Sep 24, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 39
How will Charlotte's recent acquisition of a 25-mile rail line revolutionize its transit landscape? This week's episode of Transit reviews the transformative potential of the proposed Red Line project and how it could seamlessly integrate with Charlotte’s existing Amtrak services like the Crescent, Piedmont, and Carolinian routes. We don’t stop there; we also explore the ambitious Gateway Station project aimed at relocating Charlotte’s rail hub to a more accessible downtown location. Join us for...
Sep 17, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In this episode, we revisit Salt Lake City, our first Transit Tangents "field trip," to explore the exciting transit expansions that are on the horizon. From new rail lines to revitalizing an old train station, we dive into it all. Send us a text Support the show
Sep 10, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 37
From the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes, this episode discusses the indispensable role of ferries in linking communities across the United States. Learn about federal support for ferry services, the vital subsidies they require, and the inventive ways various states are enhancing their ferry networks. Send us a text Support the show
Sep 03, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Can you recall the sheer excitement of seeing a monorail glide by at Disney World or the thrill of building your own transit empire in games like Roller Coaster Tycoon? We certainly can, and in this episode of Transit Tangents, we tap into that childhood wonder to explore the captivating world of monorails. From differentiating between maglevs, straddle-beam, and saddlebag systems to sharing personal stories of how these unique transit systems captured our imaginations, we offer a history of mon...
Aug 27, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 35
What if a simple bus ride could reveal the fascinating history of American transportation? Join us on Transit Tangents as we uncover the incredible story of intercity bus travel in the United States, starting with Carl Eric Wickman's entrepreneurial journey in 1914. From the humble beginnings of motorized stagecoaches to the revolutionary coast-to-coast routes established by the Yelloway Pioneer system in 1928, this episode promises to transport you back in time and shed light on how Greyhound b...
Aug 20, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Imagine a program where children gain confidence and independence simply by learning to navigate their city using public transit. Tammy Miller, the visionary executive director of ATX Kids Club, joins us on Transit Tangents to share how her Northeast public transit experiences inspired her to create this unique initiative in Austin, Texas. Through year-round adventures and field trips, ATX Kids Club encourages kids to explore their city with a sense of wonder, while also addressing and transform...
Aug 13, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Join us as we embark on a public transit adventure. We navigate San Antonio's multi-tiered bus system, which reveals the importance of buses in a town devoid of a rail network. Alongside insights from the Strong Towns San Antonio chapter , our ride through history and culture takes us to San Antonio's historic Spanish missions, the Pearl District, the Alamo and many more sites. We reflect on the potential of San Antonio's public transport and the local community's efforts toward improvement. Mor...
Aug 06, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Reeling from the political whiplash of the last few weeks, we look to the future and discuss who Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, will choose as her running mate in the 2024 elections. We discuss each contender's transit record and decide who we think would be our best transit champion. Send us a text Support the show...
Jul 30, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 31
What if toll roads were the key to sustainable infrastructure? Join us as we uncover the history and modern implications of tolling on U.S. roads. Starting from the origins of turnpikes, we trace the evolution of toll roads through the lens of historical milestones like the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike—the first paved road in the U.S. From the rise of automated toll collection systems to the financial realities of road maintenance funded by gas taxes, registration fees, and tolls, we unco...
Jul 23, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode, we recount the origins of Amtrak, born out of failing private rail services and saved by the Rail Passengers Service Act of 1970. Despite the hurdles of "manufactured mismanagement" intended to sabotage it, Amtrak emerged resilient. We also dive into our firsthand adventure on the Texas Eagle line from Austin to San Antonio offering a current snapshot of Amtrak travel today. Share your Amtrak stories with us and support our journey by subscribing to Transit Tangents and explorin...
Jul 16, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Can cities really become more livable, convenient, and environmentally sustainable all within a 15-minute walk or bike ride? From the transformation of suburban strip malls into bustling town centers, like Austin’s ACC Highland campus, to Paris's ambitious urban initiatives under Mayor Anne Hidalgo, we spotlight examples of successfully implemented 15-minute city principles. Send us a text Support the show...
Jul 09, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 28
What if New York City's streets could finally be free of gridlock and its public transit system fully funded and accessible? On this episode of Transit Tangents, we learn how congestion pricing could revolutionize the MTA and discuss New York Governor Kathy Hochul's recent decision to pause this initiative. Send us a text Support the show
Jul 02, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 27
How has the Olympic Games impacted transit in host cities around the world? On this episode, we dive into recent host cities, the 2024 Paris games happening this summer, and upcoming improvements for the 2028 games in Los Angeles. Send us a text Support the show
Jun 25, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Can an urban trail be a transit solution? In this episode, we dive into a few notable urban trails around North America. Learn about the legacy of these projects and how they changed their cities forever. Send us a text Support the show
Jun 18, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In the U.S., over 40,000 people die in traffic-related incidents every year. How can we fix this? Vision Zero may be the answer! From traffic calming to road diets, education, and policy decisions, we discuss it all on this episode! Send us a text Support the show
Jun 11, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 24
What is the best form of public transit and why is it a gondola? Others may try to dispute this claim, but in this episode, we explain why you should join the #GondolaGang and convince your friends to do the same. Send us a text Support the show
Jun 04, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Is a better, more sustainable suburb possible? In this episode we explore today's suburbs and what could be a better model for the future. Send us a text Support the show
May 28, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Will the US ever have true high-speed rail? In this episode, we dive into current systems, those under construction, and projects planned for the future. Send us a text Support the show
May 21, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 21
