Marcus Nelson
@marcuscnelson.bsky.social
410 followers 14 following 44 posts
🇭🇹🇺🇸 | Building cities, transit, and change | Find me anywhere @marcuscnelson (he/him)
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marcuscnelson.bsky.social
Wonder why you said this…
The final score of a US football game played between the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, September 21, 2025. The Jaguars defeated the Texans by a score of 17 to 10 points.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
I'd rather bulldoze the EEOB and NEOB and build a new office complex on that west side (including whatever state dining facilities are needed) that connect to the West Wing and keep the President in the Executive Residence, raze the silly ballroom though.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
Probably not besides portions of the Empire Connection, if you want to count that as Hudson Line.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
I've found them fine, is something wrong with yours?
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
VRE already ordered the bilevels from Alstom with Metra, they don't appear to want any MUs. Lots of their added capacity will probably go to more dual-mode Northeast Regional trains instead of being service they have to run.

I doubt Youngkin cares much about Stadler's former CEO's political career.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
For whatever reason, VRE's rolling stock decision-makers are joined at the hip with Metra's so they've committed to buying bilevels that require low platforms. The politicians in charge have also decided their long-term plans should remain primarily commuter-focused, though somewhat more frequent.
Reposted by Marcus Nelson
seung.bsky.social
they made this into an highway vs transit funding infographic
Fat man drinking a ton of water while shriveled up man drinks water drops leaking from pipe
Reposted by Marcus Nelson
zmapper.bsky.social
Memphis transit is in deep trouble
Reposted by Marcus Nelson
humantransit.bsky.social
It's time for clear eyed thinking about the potential for the large-scale destruction of public transit in American cities. It could happen in the next two years. Thread... 1/
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
They are also doing this on other rail lines, such as this one on the CSX A-Line near Jacksonville:
Plans for an updated grade crossing at the CSX A-Line in Jacksonville. A large roundabout is built in the center of the tracks.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
FDOT is continuing to build grade crossings much like these along other parts of the FEC where Brightline may run one day. The second picture is of a brand-new road with a new grade crossing.
The future intersection of Race Track Road and US-1, according to FDOT plans to improve the existing intersection. The intersection cuts through the FEC Railway. A view of the new State Road 312 intersection with US-1, including a new grade crossing at the FEC Railway.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
Reading the markup and bill, this would essentially not fund any new transit project that isn't already part of the CIG program. That seems like a serious problem for long-term transit development.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
$70k? These vans cost $392,000. The purpose-built shuttles that are supposed to replace them in a few years cost $409,000.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
That's even worse, tracks are too permanent! That's why this was somehow a better idea to spend $66 million on, apparently.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
Alas, JTA executives have claimed regular fixed-route buses are too large and inflexible for years in order to justify building this system with smaller vehicles.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
That would be neat if it worked particularly well at all. Unfortunately for everyone, most of all Jacksonville, the "Ultimate Urban Circulator" doesn't.

Here's my experience of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority's NAVI "autonomous" shuttle system:
medium.com/@marcuscnels...
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
That would be neat if it worked particularly well at all. Unfortunately for everyone, most of all Jacksonville, the "Ultimate Urban Circulator" doesn't.

Here's my experience of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority's NAVI "autonomous" shuttle system:
medium.com/@marcuscnels...
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
There still has to be a guy in it to drive it when the computer gets confused (often). But JTA executives have repeatedly denounced the concept of operating fixed-route buses in order to justify building NAVI.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
That would be neat if it worked particularly well at all. Unfortunately for everyone, most of all Jacksonville, the "Ultimate Urban Circulator" doesn't.

Here's my experience of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority's NAVI "autonomous" shuttle system:
medium.com/@marcuscnels...
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
As one of the few people who has ridden this system, it's absolutely not ready for primetime. NAVI is the culmination of 8 years and millions of dollars that never should have been spent. Transit agencies can and should do better in other, proven ways. The operating cost is higher than the monorail!
A NAVI "autonomous shuttle" near the future Four Seasons Hotel in Jacksonville. The Beep employee who must be constantly prepared to take over is in the driver's seat.
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
Pepsi means they'd have Starry not 7up
marcuscnelson.bsky.social
Keolis is building a new light maintenance facility for the Fairmount Line project, which they are only ordering seven trains for. Different beast from a broader conversion effort.