Andrew Miller’s Post

Public transportation systems play a pivotal role in society that extends beyond just moving people from point A to point B. They shape the economic landscape of many urban areas, boosting economic productivity by generating jobs and business opportunities that directly influence employment, wages, and business income. It’s estimated that public transportation systems in America currently transport around 34 million passengers every weekday, totaling over 10 billion trips being taken throughout the nation, annually. Let's have an in-depth view of the impact public transit has on the workforce and local economies in the U.S. 👉 https://buff.ly/3X7AYmF #publictransit #workforce #localeconomy #APTA

While no one would confuse it with the Mona Lisa, public transit operation is as much an art as it is a science. This leads to the question: Which indicators should we use to measure #transit effectiveness? We propose an access-oriented indicator for American cities and put it to the test across the 50 most populated Metropolitan Areas. Our findings show that (i) transit service is slightly effective for short travel times, but a gradual improvement is observed with increased travel time; (ii) transit access effectiveness is CBD-centric; and (iii) there is a positive correlation between transit #access effectiveness and transit #ridership. Learn more about forming effectiveness and, eventually, efficiency objectives for public transit focused on the level of access rather than solely on the level of ridership, in our recent publication co-authored with Frank Witlox. It was a joyful collaboration experience, even without the sweet lure of a Belgian waffle! #transportation #transportationplanning #publictransit #transitservice #accessibility #transiteffectiveness #transitridership George Mason University - College of Science George Mason University - College of Engineering and Computing https://lnkd.in/emDctRPY

Here is an interesting article about a survey of perceptions of public transport in cities across Europe: 'As the perception of public transport being "safe," "easy to get on," "reliable," and "frequent" increases, overall satisfaction rises significantly.' Affordability was less important in increasing satisfaction. Anybody developing a public transport strategy would not go too far wrong if they used those objectives as a starting point. https://lnkd.in/g2P3sdT9

Article | How one city pulled public transit from the brink — and what the rest of the country can learn from it.  There’s no substitute for better service.  Read more at this link (https://lnkd.in/epeqT5PQ).   🚇 #DCMetro #PublicTransit #Urbanism #CityLife #Commuting #Transportation #DC #WMATA #BetterService #SustainableTransportation #CityLiving 🚇

People want public ownership and control of regional transport networks. Read our latest report:

There is an historical opportunity for transport reform within the North East Combined Authority. This change is needed urgently. In our Common Sense Policy Group report, ‘Delivering regional renewal: public support for bold change in North East transport policy’, published with Insights North East, we set out public opinion in the run up to this year's Mayoral Election: https://lnkd.in/eqQrWWh6 We find: 1. High levels of support for taking transport back into public ownership and control and strong opposition to the current privatised system 2. Deep concern about the impacts on health from the current transport system 3. Strong preference for funding reform through wealth, carbon and corporation tax increases The report finds an average level of support for a bold programme of reform of 79%, with justifications for that programme grounded in reducing transport poverty and inequality particularly popular in persuading people to increase their support. Importantly, the report finds that people are particularly concerned about the effect of the transport system on avoidable deaths through congestion and pollution, but don’t tie that to the need for more active travel through cycling, walking and creating bus lanes. The report presents means of bringing those two concerns closer together. The report ought to give courage to our new North East Combined Authority to deliver real change. Transport was absolutely critical to our region’s historical development and it is just as important to regional renewal now. We cannot persist with the same broken system that leaves people who desperately want to do their bit by giving up their cars unable to do so because the lack and unreliability of services mean they cannot guarantee that they will get to work even vaguely on time. I’ve lived in several parts of the world with reliable and affordable transport far in advance of that in our region – the consistent theme in each of those systems was that they were publicly owned, controlled and directed to the economic needs of those societies. We need the common sense courage to act on the evidence, know that there’s public support and deliver the change that the region is crying out for. The report is related to our Common Sense Policy Group’s Act Now project aimed at designing public policy to rebuild Britain. The time is right to take control of this critical aspect of infrastructure to deliver the regional renewal we need. #UK #publicpolicy #NECA #transport Gemma Brown (Somerville) Elliott Johnson Ian Robson Joanne Atkinson Anna Thew Howard Reed Graham Stark

NY State Senate Transportation Chair Pushes for High-Speed Rail in Rochester! 🚆 After experiencing Florida’s Brightline high-speed rail system, Senator Jeremy Cooney is championing the idea of bringing similar infrastructure to Rochester. Describing his ride as "smooth, easy, and on time," Senator Cooney sees a major opportunity to connect Rochester to cities like Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany, transforming travel across the state. The potential for modernizing transportation, stimulating economic growth, and boosting tourism is immense. Senator Cooney is calling for bipartisan support, collaboration with Governor Hochul, and action from all stakeholders to bring high-speed rail to New York. Drawing lessons from Brightline’s mix of private investment and federal funding, he believes a similar approach could work here. Now, with the federal push for infrastructure spending, the time is ripe to make high-speed rail a reality, turning Rochester into a transportation hub and revitalizing the region's economy. This initiative would also offer a cleaner, more efficient alternative to cars and planes, helping address environmental concerns while meeting the demands of modern travelers. Senator Cooney envisions a future where reliable, convenient rail travel fosters regional integration and supports the needs of businesses, students, and residents alike. Looking forward to seeing where this conversation leads! Click Here to Read More: https://lnkd.in/ePnJusWf #HighSpeedRail #RochesterNY #TransportationInnovation #SustainableMobility #Brightline #NewYorkState #EconomicGrowth #CleanTransportation #BipartisanSupport #Infrastructure #Mobility #RochesterTransportation #FutureOfTransit Brightline Trains 📸 Photo Below: Senator Cooney and I at our Windels Marx NYC Office in September 2024

Chronic under investments in Canada’s healthcare, national defense, and transportation infrastructure have eroded the country’s productivity. Defence spending is inching towards 2% of GDP. Should there be an equivalent target for public transit? Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada | Logement, Infrastructures et Collectivités Canada Canada Infrastructure Bank/ Banque de l'infrastructure du Canada City of Vancouver Metro Vancouver City of Toronto Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) C.D. Howe Institute Urban Land Institute TransLink Council of the Federation Secretariat | Secrétariat du Conseil de la fédération School of Cities, University of Toronto UBC School of Community and Regional Planning: SCARP ISOCARP Institute | Centre for Urban Excellence ISOCARP - International Society of City and Regional Planners Vancouver Strategic & Integrated Research

Public policy researchers from the Common Sense Policy Group at Northumbria University have released a new report with Insights North East which presents cutting-edge evidence on regional public opinion on the future of transport policy in the North East. 📰 Discover more: https://lnkd.in/eRpU5cGE

Paper Wings and Broken Promises: The Illusion of Free Transit In a city like Halifax, where the fog rolls in from the Atlantic and mingles with the hopes and aspirations of its people, a new political proposal can feel like a gust of fresh air. But sometimes, the promise of that breeze is just a storm in disguise. The recent suggestion by the Nova Scotia Liberals to make transit free if elected is precisely this - a populist promise wrapped in the shiny paper of easy answers. It offers a vision of a city where public transportation is free for all, a tempting proposition that seems to solve the problem of accessibility and cost with one bold stroke. But, like many populist ideas, it’s too good to be true. Populism, after all, thrives on simple answers to complex problems. The allure is unmistakable: who wouldn't want a free ride? Who wouldn't be seduced by the idea of a transit system that costs nothing and serves everyone? But beneath the surface, there's a deeper, more troubling reality. I am not a political expert, nor do I claim to have deep knowledge of Canadian politics. But I have spent years working on documentaries about political issues, and that experience has given me a keen eye for spotting populism when it rears its head. This proposal, much like other populist promises, offers the public a pair of wings - wings made of paper. They may look strong enough to carry the weight of our dreams, but in reality, they cannot withstand the downpour of practical concerns and economic realities. The moment the rain of reality hits, those wings soften and crumble, leaving those who believed in them plummeting back to the ground, crashing into the harsh truth that no complex issue is solved with a simple, sweeping promise. Free transit sounds like a blessing, but how do we pay for it? The proposal does not explain how the city will cover the substantial costs of running a transit system without fare revenue. Who foots the bill when the buses still need fuel, drivers still need salaries, and the city still needs maintenance on aging infrastructure? The answer, it seems, is conveniently left out. And so, the wings start to flutter. It is crucial to understand that there are no easy answers to complex questions. Solving intricate issues cannot be done in a day. As a bus operator, I see firsthand the value of a well-funded, well-organized public transit system, one that genuinely serves the community. Making transit free without a robust plan would not improve service; it would likely make it worse. It would overcrowd the buses, cut routes, and lower the quality of transportation for everyone. I may not be a political expert, nor do I have the right to vote in Canada. But I know this much: promises without substance lead to disappointment. And disappointment, like the rain on those paper wings, brings us crashing back to reality, reminding us that progress is rarely simple and never free.