GOOD Magazine is well, good, at putting together pretty infographics. Their latest chart compares five large transit systems in the U.S. for measures such as ridership, average speed and miles traveled per trip. Although Los Angeles Metro is the third largest transit system in the nation based on ridership, it is not included in GOOD’s graphic. One thing I found interesting was that the average speed of three out of the five systems compared was less than 20 miles per hour.
If you’re a Metro rider who uses TAP and are curious if it’s ever going to live up to its full potential, it may be time to look at the Bay Area for a reality check. After sixteen years in the making it looks like the Bay Area’s universal fare card system, TransLink, may almost be working in a way that’s useful to commuters. The goal of a universal fare system such as TransLink or TAP is to create a single card that can be used on all local transit systems — at this point TransLink is operational on five systems that handle 75% of Bay Area riders. Functionally, the TransLink card seems pretty cool — you can add value to it and when it drops below a preset balance, it will automatically reload.
Los Angeles cycling advocates are working on an alternative bike plan that aims to create long distance “bike freeways” in Los Angeles. The envisioned network of routes, no more than three to five miles apart, would crisscross greater Los Angeles providing safe intra/inter-city transport by bicycle. The Backbone Bikeway Network, as it’s called, is specifically meant for long distance commuting — neighborhood travel is a whole different story. Sounds cool, and according to activists it’s cheap, but is there the political will for something like this to happen?
Read the rest of today’s headlines, compiled by the Metro Library, after the jump.
Bay Area’s TransLink Sees Its 16-Year One Card Goal Within Reach
Contactless News
Big Blue Bus Cash Fare Could Go Up To $1.25
Green LA Girl
Businesses Take Responsibility For Advancing Sustainable Transportation
The City Fix
City Panel Recommends Moving Forward With Privatization Of City Parking Garages
LAist
Comparing The Country’s Largest Public Transit Systems (interactive infographic)
GOOD
Federal Transit Administration Unveils Capital Projects Recommended For Major Financing
Transport Politic
For 2011, FTA Shifts Focus Away From Project Cost-Effectiveness Index And Towards Local Financing Commitment
Transport Politic
How Much Security Do We Need On U.S. High Speed Rail?
Infrastructurist
L.A. Activists Float Idea Of “Freeway” System For Bikes
Los Angeles Times
Mall Says No More Free Parking For Foothill Transit Riders
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Metro Gold Line (budget cuts compel students on a field trip to learn about transportation options in their neighborhood)
Roosevelt High School Rough Rider Blog
Mobile Augmented Reality: Apps That Will Change The Way We See The World
GigaOm
A Modest Proposal: Ask Developers To Help Pay For Better Transport
DC StreetsBlog
MTA Legal Dealings Called “Shocking:” Ridley-Thomas Cites “Extraordinary” $30M In Fees Over Red Line Case
Los Angeles Daily News
Obama Introduces Proposed FY 2011 Budget; Transportation Appropriations Stay Largely Intact
Transport Politic
Parking Operators Owe The City Nearly $100 Million
LAist
Public Art Needed For MTA’s Orange Line Extension
Southern California Public Radio
Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is: Helps Get Federal Bucks
CityWatch
Technology Obsessions In The U.S. National Transit Database
Human Transit
Underground Connector Up For Metro OK
Blog Downtown
Categories: Transportation News