Tag Archive for: transit

Building the New America: Report on trends shaping the migration of people and jobs

Report: Building the New America

How do we build a new urban model for America — one that is better aligned with the aspirations of most Americans? This newly released report examines the housing trends that are driving today's migration of people and jobs.
METRO's Inner Katy BRT Plan, figure 3

Update for METRO’s Inner Katy BRT Plan

In January Houston's METRO received a Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) determination for the Inner Katy Bus Rapid Transit project from the Federal Transit Administration. This will allow the project to proceed to construction without further years of environmental assessment.
Reason interviews Tory Gattis about Houston's affordability and lack of zoning

Reason Interviews Tory Gattis About Houston’s Affordability

Reason interviews me (Tory Gattis) about Houston's unorthodox, unzoned approach to land-use regulation and how it reduces our homelessness, as well as my suggested solution for zoned cities.
School Choice Week – students supporting TeachersGage Skidmore, used under CC 2.0 License

The Decisive Argument for School Choice

The best argument for school choice: in states that have implemented it, public schools for low-income students have gotten dramatically better even while not losing many students!
Roy Luck

Does METRO’s Advertising Budget Influence Local Reporting?

Is Metro's advertising influencing local reporting? Local media runs ads that promotes the use of Metro services, and is mostly silent on ridership decline.
Lot size reform puts money in pocket of Houston homeowners

Problem, We Have a Houston – Lot Size Reform Equivalent to $18K Gift for Single-Family Homeowners

Houstonians got a free $18k from minimum lot size reform, but is Houston sliding towards zoning? Houston tops standard of living rankings.
HCI cost increases trending significantly higher in past year

TxDOT Highway Construction Inflation

TxDOT highway construction inflation is consistent with infrastructure cost increases nationwide, showing a sharp upward trend in project costs from 2021 to 2022.
Should METRO reconsider eliminating transit fares? There are upsides and downsides.

Should METRO Reconsider Eliminating Transit Fares?

Houston's METRO could reconsider eliminating transit fares - and save the cost of an upcoming huge contract to upgrade their payment system. METRO would have to be willing to be bold, to innovate and experiment in order to maximize the benefits and minimize downsides.
SEPTA Transit Bus

Latest Transit Ridership Data for Houston and Dallas

Average transit ridership nationwide remains down 33.4% in September compared to pre-Covid levels, but Houston Metro is doing better.
Houston, TX HOV lane on Highway 69

Spiraling Admin Costs + Strong Toll Revenue Recovery at HCTRA

Toll revenue recovery at Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) is strong, but admin costs have skyrocketed since 2020.
Houston's proposed University Line, Metro Transit

Metro Needs to Rethink the University Line

Houston transit opponents worry that construction of the University Line will snarl traffic, invite unwelcome development and cripple local businesses.