Carter Rubin
@carterrubin.com
Urban planner in Southern California working to transform transportation. Posting my way to a better world to walk, bike and roll. Talk to me about DOTs, MPOs, RTPs and SCSs. Day job at NRDC.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
We can't expect rural areas to design and deliver intercity rail projects by themselves. Caltrans' understaffing of rail and transit hurts rural areas and outer suburbs - who seldom have well-staffed transit agencies of their own - the most.
Not only is 3% of CA's transportation budget for transit agencies, the vast majority of that huge Caltrans budget supports highway projects - while rail gets the scraps. We need a #JustTransitionForCaltrans that shifts those workers into delivering green rail projects quickly and cost effectively.
November 22, 2025 at 12:32 AM
We can't expect rural areas to design and deliver intercity rail projects by themselves. Caltrans' understaffing of rail and transit hurts rural areas and outer suburbs - who seldom have well-staffed transit agencies of their own - the most.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Downtown Los Angeles has recorded nearly seven inches of rain since Oct. 1, making it the fifth wettest start to a rainy season in records that date back to 1899.
This Is One of L.A.’s Wettest Novembers in Decades
The rain has been a stark contrast to very dry weather at the same time last year.
nyti.ms
November 22, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Downtown Los Angeles has recorded nearly seven inches of rain since Oct. 1, making it the fifth wettest start to a rainy season in records that date back to 1899.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Fresno is big enough that it would be the most populated municipality in 28 US states
Man, everything is so bleak, anyone got a fun fact or little bit of trivia they want to share
November 21, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Fresno is big enough that it would be the most populated municipality in 28 US states
Reposted by Carter Rubin
My Transition Co-chair Lina Khan and First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan joined Starbucks workers on the picket line today because making NYC affordable means an end to unfair labor practices and a living wage for our workers. We are their partners in the fight to live in this city with dignity.
November 20, 2025 at 11:38 PM
My Transition Co-chair Lina Khan and First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan joined Starbucks workers on the picket line today because making NYC affordable means an end to unfair labor practices and a living wage for our workers. We are their partners in the fight to live in this city with dignity.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
From LIFE AFTER CARS:
• Name an issue affecting society right now, and there’s a good bet it is caused or at least exacerbated by society’s overreliance on cars
• Our climate and our own health can no longer withstand the assault of the automobile.
bit.ly/485tCUB
• Name an issue affecting society right now, and there’s a good bet it is caused or at least exacerbated by society’s overreliance on cars
• Our climate and our own health can no longer withstand the assault of the automobile.
bit.ly/485tCUB
November 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
From LIFE AFTER CARS:
• Name an issue affecting society right now, and there’s a good bet it is caused or at least exacerbated by society’s overreliance on cars
• Our climate and our own health can no longer withstand the assault of the automobile.
bit.ly/485tCUB
• Name an issue affecting society right now, and there’s a good bet it is caused or at least exacerbated by society’s overreliance on cars
• Our climate and our own health can no longer withstand the assault of the automobile.
bit.ly/485tCUB
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Bus run cancellations are at a good level - looks like weekdays less than 1% (👏👏👏 ), weekends around 1.5% (👏).
November 20, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Bus run cancellations are at a good level - looks like weekdays less than 1% (👏👏👏 ), weekends around 1.5% (👏).
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Overall ridership (for October 2025 most recent month) is down a little compared to last year - attributable to ICE terror. October average weekday boardings was 977,505 - about a million daily rides. Compared to Oct 2024 bus ridership is down (-5.0%) & rail is barely up (+0.3%).
November 20, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Overall ridership (for October 2025 most recent month) is down a little compared to last year - attributable to ICE terror. October average weekday boardings was 977,505 - about a million daily rides. Compared to Oct 2024 bus ridership is down (-5.0%) & rail is barely up (+0.3%).
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Personalized gold bars from the Swiss.
Used jumbo jet from Qatar.
Huge amounts of $$$ from crypto.
The amount of corruption in the White House is at unconscionable levels. We need some real serious ethics across the federal government.
Used jumbo jet from Qatar.
Huge amounts of $$$ from crypto.
The amount of corruption in the White House is at unconscionable levels. We need some real serious ethics across the federal government.
November 19, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Personalized gold bars from the Swiss.
Used jumbo jet from Qatar.
Huge amounts of $$$ from crypto.
The amount of corruption in the White House is at unconscionable levels. We need some real serious ethics across the federal government.
Used jumbo jet from Qatar.
Huge amounts of $$$ from crypto.
The amount of corruption in the White House is at unconscionable levels. We need some real serious ethics across the federal government.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
i think that people who use headphones in public places like trains are selfish. keeping all your cool music and podcasts to yourself is genuinely sociopathic and deranged behavior. play it on your phone's speaker and let everyone enjoy it, or don't play it at all
November 18, 2025 at 5:11 PM
i think that people who use headphones in public places like trains are selfish. keeping all your cool music and podcasts to yourself is genuinely sociopathic and deranged behavior. play it on your phone's speaker and let everyone enjoy it, or don't play it at all
Reposted by Carter Rubin
A rapidly multiplying number of new media upstarts are entering the fray in Los Angeles — from driven local journalists to national commercial and philanthropic institutions that sense opportunity. www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/more...
“More of everything”: In Los Angeles, an “explosion” of new efforts aim to up the city’s local news game
A well-funded coalition building out neighborhood news, a new newsletter from an expanding for-profit site, and a nonprofit breaking through on social media are just a few examples of the latest bids…
www.niemanlab.org
November 18, 2025 at 10:02 PM
A rapidly multiplying number of new media upstarts are entering the fray in Los Angeles — from driven local journalists to national commercial and philanthropic institutions that sense opportunity. www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/more...
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Met up with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social in downtown LA today and had a great convo about “Life After Cars.” Seriously read the book, it’s so good: lifeaftercars.com
Reflections to come at climatecoloredgoggles.com
Reflections to come at climatecoloredgoggles.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Met up with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social in downtown LA today and had a great convo about “Life After Cars.” Seriously read the book, it’s so good: lifeaftercars.com
Reflections to come at climatecoloredgoggles.com
Reflections to come at climatecoloredgoggles.com
Wonderful news!
Westwood's Village Theater to be run by American Cinematheque upon 2027 reopening
Westwood’s Village Theater to be run by American Cinematheque upon 2027 reopening
The American Cinematheque will run the historic Village Theater as filmmaker Jason Reitman and more than 30 directors raise funds for a $25-million restoration.
www.latimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Wonderful news!
Reposted by Carter Rubin
two women on the bus r having a convo on a translator app from arabic to ukrainian:') seems like they know each other from being on the same bus often
November 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
two women on the bus r having a convo on a translator app from arabic to ukrainian:') seems like they know each other from being on the same bus often
Reposted by Carter Rubin
New Metro taller faregates being installed today at Civic Center B/D Line station
November 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
New Metro taller faregates being installed today at Civic Center B/D Line station
Reposted by Carter Rubin
"Wasserman, who manages research at @uclaits.bsky.social, warns the traffic nirvana won't last.
'Initially, these changes could alleviate traffic in the area,...but it's going to fill up again,'
Wasserman called the skyway remodel a 'zombie project...still moving forward on its own inertia.'"
'Initially, these changes could alleviate traffic in the area,...but it's going to fill up again,'
Wasserman called the skyway remodel a 'zombie project...still moving forward on its own inertia.'"
LAX approved $1.5 billion to relieve traffic. Opponents say it won’t work
Los Angeles World Airports Board of Airport Commissioners this week approved the final $1-billion phase of spending for its new roadway improvement plan around LAX. It's set to be complete just two mo...
www.latimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM
"Wasserman, who manages research at @uclaits.bsky.social, warns the traffic nirvana won't last.
'Initially, these changes could alleviate traffic in the area,...but it's going to fill up again,'
Wasserman called the skyway remodel a 'zombie project...still moving forward on its own inertia.'"
'Initially, these changes could alleviate traffic in the area,...but it's going to fill up again,'
Wasserman called the skyway remodel a 'zombie project...still moving forward on its own inertia.'"
Reposted by Carter Rubin
LAX traffic planners still haven't figured out "induced demand," critics say: www.latimes.com/california/s...
LAX approved $1.5 billion to relieve traffic. Opponents say it won’t work
Los Angeles World Airports Board of Airport Commissioners this week approved the final $1-billion phase of spending for its new roadway improvement plan around LAX. It's set to be complete just two mo...
www.latimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:46 PM
LAX traffic planners still haven't figured out "induced demand," critics say: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Apparently Whole Foods has never heard of someone picking up groceries on a bicycle
November 16, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Apparently Whole Foods has never heard of someone picking up groceries on a bicycle
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Bailey Canyon Debris Basin 2, LosAngeles County, CA
🗺34.1722, -118.0624 🧭138° ⛰1145 ft
https://ops.alertcalifornia.org/cam-console/16193
🗺34.1722, -118.0624 🧭138° ⛰1145 ft
https://ops.alertcalifornia.org/cam-console/16193
November 16, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Bailey Canyon Debris Basin 2, LosAngeles County, CA
🗺34.1722, -118.0624 🧭138° ⛰1145 ft
https://ops.alertcalifornia.org/cam-console/16193
🗺34.1722, -118.0624 🧭138° ⛰1145 ft
https://ops.alertcalifornia.org/cam-console/16193
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Trump admin Is attempting to massive cut federal transit funds, seeking to:
1–Eliminate transit account, which funds billions of $ in capital expenses for transit agencies
2–Prevent state DOTs from “flexing” funds for transit
These changes, if they occurred, would be devastating for US transit.
1–Eliminate transit account, which funds billions of $ in capital expenses for transit agencies
2–Prevent state DOTs from “flexing” funds for transit
These changes, if they occurred, would be devastating for US transit.
POLITICO Pro: Trump administration proposals seek to eliminate transit funding
DOT recently sent two proposals to the White House budget office seeking to pare back transit money.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Trump admin Is attempting to massive cut federal transit funds, seeking to:
1–Eliminate transit account, which funds billions of $ in capital expenses for transit agencies
2–Prevent state DOTs from “flexing” funds for transit
These changes, if they occurred, would be devastating for US transit.
1–Eliminate transit account, which funds billions of $ in capital expenses for transit agencies
2–Prevent state DOTs from “flexing” funds for transit
These changes, if they occurred, would be devastating for US transit.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Victory! In September UAW 4811 workers sued trump for illegally cutting research grants at ucla. Today, a federal judge ordered Trump to halt the cuts.
November 15, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Victory! In September UAW 4811 workers sued trump for illegally cutting research grants at ucla. Today, a federal judge ordered Trump to halt the cuts.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Underrated geologic battle: Santa Monica Mtns vs Los Angeles River. (Mountains are winning the battle… but they always lose the war.)
November 14, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Underrated geologic battle: Santa Monica Mtns vs Los Angeles River. (Mountains are winning the battle… but they always lose the war.)
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Almost certainly Seattle. Population went from 600k->800k, the city went from no rail system to a top-10 busiest network, region became an absolute economic powerhouse, there’s a total transformation of the waterfront, and so much more
November 14, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Almost certainly Seattle. Population went from 600k->800k, the city went from no rail system to a top-10 busiest network, region became an absolute economic powerhouse, there’s a total transformation of the waterfront, and so much more
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Spotted the new USPS electric truck made by Ford. Pretty cool
November 14, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Spotted the new USPS electric truck made by Ford. Pretty cool
Reposted by Carter Rubin
One LA Block: 1970’s Estrella
November 14, 2025 at 4:53 AM
One LA Block: 1970’s Estrella