Hayden Clarkin (The Transit Guy)
Transportation engineer and transit advocate producing accessible commentary on rail/bus networks, street design, and walkability.
Muni Plans North Beach Subway Extension, Calls for More Lines
As of today, MUNI is studying the extension of the Central Subway to North Beach, and the study will conclude in mid 2028. I'll save the time, not only is it necessary, but this country needs to be building subway lines at a time, and not random one off station extensions as we have been.
Same‑size Cities, Worlds Apart in Passenger Rail
Louisville (pop. 640k) and Helsinki are nearly the same population size, yet one sees 637 train departures daily, while the former hasn't seen a passenger train since 2003 (this was the train platform). Louisville is studying a Tesla boring tunnel, btw.
Amtrak's Yearly Subsidy Equals 80% of One Day's Debt Interest
The annual subsidy Amtrak receives is equivalent to 80% of a single day's interest on the national debt.
America's Size Hinders Rail, Yet Midwest Mirrors Spain's Speed
“The USA is too big for rail.” When you compartmentalize each region with another country/economy, it’s actually pretty easy to compare. This is what Spain’s high-speed rail looks like overlaid over the Midwest if Madrid were located where Chicago is.
Zurich Runs 2,915 Daily Trains; Tampa Just One
Zurich's main train station sees 2,915 trains per day. Tampa, which has the same population but double the metro population, sees 1 train daily.
Brightline Isn't True High‑Speed Rail, Despite Hype
I was told Brightline was the future of high speed rail? (It’s not even high speed rail by definition)
Spain’s $73 400‑mile Train Beats US Airline Gouging
While domestic airlines gouge passengers, in Spain you can go 400 miles (the distance between SF/LA, Chicago/Minneapolis, or DC/Charlotte) in 3 hours for just $73. We’ll do anything but provide rail service to this country.
Chicago-Built Models Deserve Nationwide Legal Approval
These were just built in Chicago, and they should be legal to be built in every zip code in the USA.
US Trains Lag Behind Europe's High‑speed Efficiency
I’m on a train from Providence to NYC, and if I was still in Spain, this trip would take roughly 1 hour with high speed rail. It currently takes 3.5 hours.
Rewilded Highway Shows Nature Can Replace Traffic
Beneath all of this lies a highway. In 2005, the Madrid City Council voted to “rewild” the Calle 30, burying the traffic under a lush nature park. Twenty-one years later, the roar of engines has been replaced by the sound...
Lost Cheap Flights, Still No High‑speed Rail
Every time I advocated for high-speed rail, someone would inevitably reply with a screenshot of a $60 Spirit flight to prove rail was unnecessary. Now, Spirit is gone and the rail still doesn't exist. We’ve officially inherited the worst of...
Florida's Aventura: 46‑minute Street Crossing to Train
Florida is so walkable that it's a 46-minute walk to cross a single street to the train station in Aventura.
Reviving Park Avenue’s Median: Park and Bike Lanes Return
Park Avenue used to have a park in its median, hence the name. It's time to bring the park (and bike lanes) back. (Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners & NYPL)
Building Houston Interchange While Transit Remains Scarce
Yes, we barely have transit in this country but we are building this interchange in Houston so are we really losing?
Baltimore's Abandoned Homes Fell 25% in Five Years
While there's much to doom about, a casual reminder that there's been a 25% drop in the number of abandoned homes in Baltimore in the last five years. Never bet against American cities.