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The Transport Leader Newsletter

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Why American Transit Is Designed to Fail
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๐Ÿค” Why American Transit Is Designed to Fail

July 31st, 2025 Subscribe Why American Transit Is Designed to Fail Key Takeaways Transit is valued by 84% of Americans, but only 4% use it. There are many good reasons why America should look to grow transitโ€™s share of trips. However, transit is seen as a form of welfare by many Americans. The welfare mindset creates limiting decisions that actively prevent ridership growth: Bus network planning prioritises coverage over growing ridership. โ€œInclusionโ€ is prioritised over good service. Fares...

Should Governments Subsidise E-bikes Instead of EVs?

Subscribe Welcome Transport Leaders Welcome to this week's edition of the Transport Leader newsletter, your 5-minute guide to improving transport. Have a great trip! In Today's Transport Leader: Should Governments Subsidise E-bikes Instead of EVs? Solving the First Mile Problem: Lessons from Dutch Station Bike-Share Less Traffic, More Walking: How School Streets Are Changing Everything Plus Quick Trips, Blog, Tool and Innovation. Sponsorship Opportunities Would you like to showcase your...

Making Smart Decisions About High-Speed Rail

July 24th, 2025 Subscribe Making Smart Decisions About High-Speed Rail Key Takeaways When you get it right, high-speed rail is a brilliant transport solution. However, many places are getting it wrong. To get it right at a strategic level, you need to: Understand the broader strategic context Is it better than the alternatives? Are you falling for the shiny object syndrome? Should transport policy be reshaping settlement patterns? How might technological change affect the case for HSR? Do the...

Breaking the Cycle: How Car Dependency Traps Low-Income Households

Subscribe Welcome Transport Leaders Welcome to this week's edition of the Transport Leader newsletter, your 5-minute guide to improving transport. Have a great trip! In Today's Transport Leader: Breaking the Cycle: How Car Dependency Traps Low-Income Households How Ridesharing Changes Car Acquisition But Not Disposal The Congestion Solution: Evidence-Based Strategies That Actually Work Plus Quick Trips, Blog, Tool and Innovation. Sponsorship Opportunities Would you like to showcase your...

July 17th, 2025 Subscribe Beyond Compliant Stations: Why Disability Access Laws Need To Evolve Key Takeaways Many jurisdictions have implemented laws to ensure equal access to public transport for people with disabilities. These laws initially produced significant gains in access at a relatively low cost. However, once the low-hanging fruit for access has been picked, it becomes very expensive to retrofit stations. This money would be better spent on improving access to transport by enhancing...

The Electric Bus Trap: Why Good Climate Intentions May Lead to Bad Policy

Subscribe Welcome Transport Leaders Welcome to this week's edition of the Transport Leader newsletter, your 5-minute guide to strategic transport thinking from around the world. Don't miss the news about the launch of our book club. Have a great trip! In Today's Transport Leader: The Electric Bus Trap: Why Good Climate Intentions May Lead to Bad Policy From Temporary to Permanent: What Makes Tactical Urbanism Stick? Transport Solutions Every Place Should Consider Plus Quick Trips, Blog and...

How to Build Support for Transforming Transport In Car-Dependent Regions

July 10th, 2025 Subscribe How to Build Support for Transforming Transport In Car-Dependent Regions Key Takeaways One of the biggest challenges in transport is successfully evolving a region away from car-dependency. To do this successfully, you need to leverage things that the community will support and then build on them. Tactics to progress include: Developing a vision for the centre of your region. Implement car-free days for your centre. Parking management and reduction. Moving public...

Subscribe Welcome Transport Leaders Welcome to this week's edition of the Transport Leader newsletter, your 5-minute guide to strategic transport thinking from around the world. Don't miss the news about the launch of our book club. Have a great trip! In Today's Transport Leader: Stop Predicting the Future and Start Deciding It with Vision-Led Planning. Are Smart Mobility Hubs the Solution We Have Been Looking For? The Status Quo Trap: Why Transport Policy Changes Seem Harder Than They Are....

The case for beautiful public transport

July 3rd, 2025 Subscribe The Case for Beautiful Public Transport Key Takeaways For many people, making our public transport system beautiful is considered a waste of money. Research into the benefits of making public transport systems visually appealing is limited, but the available evidence suggests significant advantages. Quantitative benefits include: Increased patronage through enhanced user experience and destination appeal Higher property values in surrounding areas Increased tourism...

The Bologna Model: Lessons from the Italian City's Successful Speed Reduction

Subscribe Welcome Transport Leaders Welcome to this week's edition of the Transport Leader newsletter, your 5-minute guide to strategic transport thinking from around the world. Have a great trip! In Today's Transport Leader: The Bologna Model: Lessons from the Italian City's Successful Speed Reduction A Holistic Approach to Transport Affordability How to Win Hearts and Minds for Transport Change: A Guide Plus Quick Trips, Blog and Innovation. Sponsorship Would you like to get your products...