Jon Orcutt
@jonorcutt.bsky.social
NYC transportation - working now w @bikenewyork.bsky.social, @reinventalbany.bsky.social
Alum @TransitCenter.bsky.social @nyc-dot.bsky.social @tstc.bsky.social @TransAlt.org
Alum @TransitCenter.bsky.social @nyc-dot.bsky.social @tstc.bsky.social @TransAlt.org
The piece omits a key fact: fixing or rethinking the triple cantilever was a NY *State* DOT project until 2011, when Cuomo simply walked away from it
The city agreeing to take sole responsibility was a huge fiscal mistake but also limits anyone’s ability to rethink the corridor more holistically
The city agreeing to take sole responsibility was a huge fiscal mistake but also limits anyone’s ability to rethink the corridor more holistically
There’s a very good article in today’s NY Times about what to do about the Triple Cantilever structure of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, which has been crumbling for years. There are a lot of really imaginative ideas, and the article does a deep dive.
Gift link 🎁👇
Gift link 🎁👇
A Highway Is Crumbling. New York Can’t Agree on How to Fix It. (Gift Article)
The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway has exceeded its life span. Clashing visions have hindered a solution.
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The piece omits a key fact: fixing or rethinking the triple cantilever was a NY *State* DOT project until 2011, when Cuomo simply walked away from it
The city agreeing to take sole responsibility was a huge fiscal mistake but also limits anyone’s ability to rethink the corridor more holistically
The city agreeing to take sole responsibility was a huge fiscal mistake but also limits anyone’s ability to rethink the corridor more holistically
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
A fitting moment to bring back this old transit meme. However they’re powered—gas, hydrogen, electricity, or driverless—leaning on cars instead of investing in quality public transit is still a poor long-term strategy.
November 25, 2025 at 10:59 PM
A fitting moment to bring back this old transit meme. However they’re powered—gas, hydrogen, electricity, or driverless—leaning on cars instead of investing in quality public transit is still a poor long-term strategy.
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
Really can't overstate how problematic robotaxis become at scale:
"Urban traffic is constrained by the fact that getting around by car either requires (expensively) paying someone else to drive or (inconveniently) driving oneself. Without such constraints the result could be brutal gridlock."
"Urban traffic is constrained by the fact that getting around by car either requires (expensively) paying someone else to drive or (inconveniently) driving oneself. Without such constraints the result could be brutal gridlock."
Self-driving cars will transform urban economies
A robotaxi boom is coming. The impacts might be broader than you expect
www.economist.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Really can't overstate how problematic robotaxis become at scale:
"Urban traffic is constrained by the fact that getting around by car either requires (expensively) paying someone else to drive or (inconveniently) driving oneself. Without such constraints the result could be brutal gridlock."
"Urban traffic is constrained by the fact that getting around by car either requires (expensively) paying someone else to drive or (inconveniently) driving oneself. Without such constraints the result could be brutal gridlock."
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
NYC’s mayor-elect dropped a line heard in bike lanes around the world — so we turned it into a shirt.
Natural eggshell white. Unisex sizing. 100% New York attitude.
Pre-orders close December 1 at midnight and ship the week of December 14, in time for the holidays!
Natural eggshell white. Unisex sizing. 100% New York attitude.
Pre-orders close December 1 at midnight and ship the week of December 14, in time for the holidays!
November 25, 2025 at 8:49 PM
NYC’s mayor-elect dropped a line heard in bike lanes around the world — so we turned it into a shirt.
Natural eggshell white. Unisex sizing. 100% New York attitude.
Pre-orders close December 1 at midnight and ship the week of December 14, in time for the holidays!
Natural eggshell white. Unisex sizing. 100% New York attitude.
Pre-orders close December 1 at midnight and ship the week of December 14, in time for the holidays!
It had to be reported, but surprising no one LOL
The NYPD will continue to park on the sidewalks in front of their precincts, everyone else be damned.
EXCLUSIVE: NYPD Rejects Ending 'Self-Enforcement' Scandal at Precinct Houses - Streetsblog New York City
Police brass are refusing to implement a major reform recommended by city probers earlier this year. And the agency won't say why.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
It had to be reported, but surprising no one LOL
AKA “the city spent $100s of millions & we still got 3,000 plastic sticks”
Along w long time frames, another problem is complacency of design for many capital projects that *are* done
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
November 24, 2025 at 7:18 PM
AKA “the city spent $100s of millions & we still got 3,000 plastic sticks”
Along w long time frames, another problem is complacency of design for many capital projects that *are* done
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
November 24, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Along w long time frames, another problem is complacency of design for many capital projects that *are* done
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
The pace at which NYC has turned temporary measures for boosting livable streets into more permanent solutions has been incredibly slow. Mayor Adams didn't fully seize the opportunity to turn paint into protection — but Mayor Mamdani might.
'The Permanence Agenda': Paint and Plastic Won’t Deliver Real Street Safety - Streetsblog New York City
Rather than continuing New York's quick-build approach to redesigning streets with temporary materials, Zohran Mamdani should aim for permanent.
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The pace at which NYC has turned temporary measures for boosting livable streets into more permanent solutions has been incredibly slow. Mayor Adams didn't fully seize the opportunity to turn paint into protection — but Mayor Mamdani might.
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
More people bike than drive on the Brooklyn street — and that's before the protected lane was installed!
Most People Don't Drive To Court Street: DOT - Streetsblog New York City
And more people bike than drive on the Brooklyn street!
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
More people bike than drive on the Brooklyn street — and that's before the protected lane was installed!
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
Wild. We always say on the podcast that owning a car is required for effective full enfranchisement in most places of the USA because we are such a car-dependent society, but this is...next level. They say it like it's disqualifying for office.
WaPo editorial board launches a disgusting car-brained attack on Seattle's new mayor Katie Wilson.
"Who is Wilson? She does not own a car"
It's so bad you need to read it, so a gift link: wapo.st/4r2peP3
"Who is Wilson? She does not own a car"
It's so bad you need to read it, so a gift link: wapo.st/4r2peP3
November 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Wild. We always say on the podcast that owning a car is required for effective full enfranchisement in most places of the USA because we are such a car-dependent society, but this is...next level. They say it like it's disqualifying for office.
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
Trump drooling over Mamdani in the Oval Office the same day Hakeem Jeffries voted to condemn socialism could not be funnier to me
November 21, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Trump drooling over Mamdani in the Oval Office the same day Hakeem Jeffries voted to condemn socialism could not be funnier to me
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
Quiet leadership from the Congressmember while other lesser pols were being noisy and stupid. No coverage of this at all in the major local media outlets whenever they ran anything.
We live with a fair number of good champions in such a stupid environment
We live with a fair number of good champions in such a stupid environment
November 21, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Quiet leadership from the Congressmember while other lesser pols were being noisy and stupid. No coverage of this at all in the major local media outlets whenever they ran anything.
We live with a fair number of good champions in such a stupid environment
We live with a fair number of good champions in such a stupid environment
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
"We owe this slow-roll to mediocrity to the wealthy denizens of the Fifth Avenue Association, who stymied the 2021 plan... The group’s members include Saks Fifth Avenue, the Trump Organization and Bergdorf Goodman."
Memo to Mamdani: Fifth Ave. Belongs to the People — Not the Ultra-Wealthy and Gridlock - Streetsblog New York City
Zohran Mamdani should revive a DOT plan to transform Fifth Avenue shelved by de Blasio and Adams at the behest of powerful corporate interests.
nyc.streetsblog.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
"We owe this slow-roll to mediocrity to the wealthy denizens of the Fifth Avenue Association, who stymied the 2021 plan... The group’s members include Saks Fifth Avenue, the Trump Organization and Bergdorf Goodman."
When you ride on #bikenyc paths around the Navy Yard, in Red Hook, Sunset Park & now under the Gowanus Expressway, you can thank @velazquez.house.gov for laying their foundation
November 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
When you ride on #bikenyc paths around the Navy Yard, in Red Hook, Sunset Park & now under the Gowanus Expressway, you can thank @velazquez.house.gov for laying their foundation
“Parking is one of the areas where New York City is a bad joke. De Blasio didn’t have the heart to do anything about it and Adams embodied the bad joke” @nyc.streetsblog.org nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/20/a...
AGENDA 2026: Mamdani Must Reduce, Digitize Parking Placards - Streetsblog New York City
Mayor-elect Mamdani must face down the placard class to regain control of New York City streets.
nyc.streetsblog.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:51 PM
“Parking is one of the areas where New York City is a bad joke. De Blasio didn’t have the heart to do anything about it and Adams embodied the bad joke” @nyc.streetsblog.org nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/20/a...
London's congestion charge will rise to the equivalent of $23.50.
NYC charges $9, with a scheduled increase to $12 in 2028
NYC charges $9, with a scheduled increase to $12 in 2028
London congestion charge to rise 20% and apply to EV for first time
London congestion charge to rise 20% and apply to EV for first time
Electric cars will get a 25% discount and electric vans and HGVs 50% in changes to be introduced in January
London’s congestion charge will rise by 20% in January to £18, and electric vehicle drivers will be liable to pay to enter the heart of the capital for the first time.
EVs will no longer be exempt from the levy, Transport for London said, but will pay a lower rate. Electric car drivers will get a 25% discount, while electric vans and HGVs will pay 50% of the full charge. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:47 PM
London's congestion charge will rise to the equivalent of $23.50.
NYC charges $9, with a scheduled increase to $12 in 2028
NYC charges $9, with a scheduled increase to $12 in 2028
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
Public conversations about street changes have become so absurd that city government essentially has to prove to people in NYC neighborhoods that they live in a big city @nyc.streetsblog.org nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/19/m...
Most People Don't Drive To Court Street: DOT - Streetsblog New York City
And more people bike than drive on the Brooklyn street!
nyc.streetsblog.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Public conversations about street changes have become so absurd that city government essentially has to prove to people in NYC neighborhoods that they live in a big city @nyc.streetsblog.org nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/19/m...
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
Yes. Veto this bill.
Report: 94% of World’s Transit Lines Operated by One Person
Hochul Should Veto Bill Requiring Two
See our statement on the new, important report out from NYU Marron's Transit Costs Project
buff.ly/Umk9Dc0
Hochul Should Veto Bill Requiring Two
See our statement on the new, important report out from NYU Marron's Transit Costs Project
buff.ly/Umk9Dc0
Report: 94% of World’s Subways Operated by One Person. Hochul Should Veto Bill Requiring Two - Reinvent Albany
NYU Marron Center Report Shows 94% of the World’s Subway Systems Use One Person – Or Are Automated Gov. Hochul Must Veto Wasteful, Politically-Motivated Bill Requiring Two Train Operators An…
reinventalbany.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Yes. Veto this bill.
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
Testimony to MTA Board: Gov. Hochul Must Veto Two-Person Train Operator Bill
Misguided bill will do nothing to improve subway service, and instead add costs that will ultimately be paid by transit riders.
Read it here:
Misguided bill will do nothing to improve subway service, and instead add costs that will ultimately be paid by transit riders.
Read it here:
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Testimony to MTA Board: Gov. Hochul Must Veto Two-Person Train Operator Bill
Misguided bill will do nothing to improve subway service, and instead add costs that will ultimately be paid by transit riders.
Read it here:
Misguided bill will do nothing to improve subway service, and instead add costs that will ultimately be paid by transit riders.
Read it here:
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
it is almost as if accommodating and conceding to far right ideas legitimizes them and signals to voters that the far right is a legitimate choice for governance
The Danish Social Democrats are currently on course for their worst election result since at least the Second World War, despite their brand of far-right accommodationism being touted as a blueprint for other centre-left parties.
Oh
November 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
it is almost as if accommodating and conceding to far right ideas legitimizes them and signals to voters that the far right is a legitimate choice for governance
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
Ridership on Paris region transit systems is now generally at or higher than pre-pandemic levels. Bike use is much higher than pre-pandemic.
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
November 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Ridership on Paris region transit systems is now generally at or higher than pre-pandemic levels. Bike use is much higher than pre-pandemic.
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
I think it's possible for Dems to delay the next transportation bill for a while, but it won't matter if they don't win Congress back in the midterms @usa.streetsblog.org usa.streetsblog.org/2025/11/18/b...
Breaking: Trump Admin Seeks To Decimate Federal Transit Funding — Streetsblog USA
"When you're talking about taking away money from transit, your proposal is flawed from the get-go," said one expert.
usa.streetsblog.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM
I think it's possible for Dems to delay the next transportation bill for a while, but it won't matter if they don't win Congress back in the midterms @usa.streetsblog.org usa.streetsblog.org/2025/11/18/b...
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
Why *does* the mayor of Subway City always end up in the back of a Suburban? There are good reasons: Security, productivity, travel to non-Manhattan destinations. And a bad reason: Habit.
The politics/practicalities of mayoral mobility from Lindsay thru now — nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/18/s...
The politics/practicalities of mayoral mobility from Lindsay thru now — nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/18/s...
Security Blanket: Will NYPD Smother Mamdani’s Love of Transit and Bikes? - Streetsblog New York City
Zohran Mamdani spent his mayoral campaign riding the subway and biking around — but the demands of City Hall may test his transit habit.
nyc.streetsblog.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Why *does* the mayor of Subway City always end up in the back of a Suburban? There are good reasons: Security, productivity, travel to non-Manhattan destinations. And a bad reason: Habit.
The politics/practicalities of mayoral mobility from Lindsay thru now — nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/18/s...
The politics/practicalities of mayoral mobility from Lindsay thru now — nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/18/s...
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
Join us for one final meal at Hell Gate's Eric Adams Table of Success. As the Eric Adams era reaches its conclusion, we're gathering everyone who's made it to the bitter end.
You can make your haters your waiters, but you can't escape…The Last Supper.
tableofsuccess.hellgatenyc.com
You can make your haters your waiters, but you can't escape…The Last Supper.
tableofsuccess.hellgatenyc.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Join us for one final meal at Hell Gate's Eric Adams Table of Success. As the Eric Adams era reaches its conclusion, we're gathering everyone who's made it to the bitter end.
You can make your haters your waiters, but you can't escape…The Last Supper.
tableofsuccess.hellgatenyc.com
You can make your haters your waiters, but you can't escape…The Last Supper.
tableofsuccess.hellgatenyc.com
Reposted by Jon Orcutt
"Council Member Mercedes Narcisse (D-Canarsie), for instance, pushed a bill to permit the city [to] issue just one ticket per hour to drivers who park or drive in the bus lane."
What's next? One speeding or red-light ticket per hour? It boggles the mind.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/14/c...
What's next? One speeding or red-light ticket per hour? It boggles the mind.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/14/c...
Council Members Put Everything But Riders First at 'Bus Oversight' Hearing - Streetsblog New York City
The Council spent its last bus oversight hearing of its term asking the MTA and city to pull back on bus lane enforcement.
nyc.streetsblog.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:11 PM
"Council Member Mercedes Narcisse (D-Canarsie), for instance, pushed a bill to permit the city [to] issue just one ticket per hour to drivers who park or drive in the bus lane."
What's next? One speeding or red-light ticket per hour? It boggles the mind.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/14/c...
What's next? One speeding or red-light ticket per hour? It boggles the mind.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/14/c...