The Hub 6/24/2022: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-up of Transportation News

“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.

Politico: Mayors Are Wielding Free Transit To Draw People Back Downtown. It’s Not That Easy – Transit ridership declined during the pandemic, and many Mayors across the country are seeking ways to increase ridership to attract people back to businesses and urban centers. Making transit free is “a way to boost access to transportation, mitigate carbon emissions and bridge racial disparities.” But some advocates believe improving the system would be a better way to increase ridership and lower carbon emissions. 

CBS Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Adds First-Of-Its-Kind Advisory Bike Lane – Pittsburgh installed its first ever advisory bike lane on South 18th Street, by reducing the street from two lanes for cars to one lane. This street was perfect for the installation as it is located in a park and is used mostly by cyclists and pedestrians. 

WHYY: Amtrak Upgrade In New Jersey Will Have Trains Moving 150mph –  A 16-mile stretch of track upgrade occurred in New Jersey on Amtrak’s Acela line that runs from Washington D.C to Boston. This is currently the fastest train in North America and will improve customer experience with faster, more reliable trains in the area. 

CityLab: A Regional Rail Plan Aims To Reinvent New York’s Commuter Trains – Multiple commuter rail systems serve the New York Metro area which stretches over three states (New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut) and includes various prices and schedules. The Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC) proposed connecting commuter rail in this area into a single regional network. This will make traveling between States more convenient for commuters with a standard schedule and fare system.

The Washington Post: Metro Takes Control Of Silver Line Extension, Starting Testing Phase – Washington Metro transit agency is currently in charge of the Silver Line Extension and aims to complete testing and safety accreditation by Fall. The agency is excited to get the line to operational readiness. 

Image Source: WHYY