Ryan
@classicryan17.bsky.social
Car-Free in Houston, TX • Transportation Planner
🚌 🚲 🚈 🚶🏼 🌈 🚎 🚴🏻
The opinions expressed here are mine and not those of my employer or anyone I do contract work for.
🚌 🚲 🚈 🚶🏼 🌈 🚎 🚴🏻
The opinions expressed here are mine and not those of my employer or anyone I do contract work for.
Pinned
Ryan
@classicryan17.bsky.social
· Aug 19
August service change means time for a new map! This update includes changes to Community Connector service areas, the addition of curb2curb zones, and various fixes across the map.
Check out a higher-resolution version here: drive.google.com/file/d/1GY1E...
Check out a higher-resolution version here: drive.google.com/file/d/1GY1E...
Reposted by Ryan
One of the biggest barriers to implementing pro-housing policy is the folk wisdom that building new market rate/mixed-income housing increases rents even though study after study shows that the opposite is the case:
building more housing lowers rents
building more housing lowers rents
Interesting new working paper that studies chains of movers after the construction of a new apartment building in Honolulu.
Paper finds that the project resulted in the opening up other, lower cost, housing on the island, benefiting the housing market overall.
Paper finds that the project resulted in the opening up other, lower cost, housing on the island, benefiting the housing market overall.
uhero.hawaii.edu
November 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
One of the biggest barriers to implementing pro-housing policy is the folk wisdom that building new market rate/mixed-income housing increases rents even though study after study shows that the opposite is the case:
building more housing lowers rents
building more housing lowers rents
Reposted by Ryan
“Analysis... has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.
A significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted.”
Currently ~3,000 airborne A320 family aircraft.
www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/...
A significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted.”
Currently ~3,000 airborne A320 family aircraft.
www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/...
November 28, 2025 at 5:54 PM
“Analysis... has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.
A significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted.”
Currently ~3,000 airborne A320 family aircraft.
www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/...
A significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted.”
Currently ~3,000 airborne A320 family aircraft.
www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/...
Reposted by Ryan
“Too many families in Houston have lost a loved one to a violent, unexpected event just trying to use the transportation system."
Traffic deaths and injuries falling in Houston, but not as sharply as in the rest of Texas www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Traffic deaths and injuries falling in Houston, but not as sharply as in the rest of Texas www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Houston’s roads are still among deadliest in Texas despite a drop in crashes
Houston is on track for fewer fatalities and serious injuries in 2025, but continues to lag behind the rest of Texas on road safety measures.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM
“Too many families in Houston have lost a loved one to a violent, unexpected event just trying to use the transportation system."
Traffic deaths and injuries falling in Houston, but not as sharply as in the rest of Texas www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Traffic deaths and injuries falling in Houston, but not as sharply as in the rest of Texas www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Reposted by Ryan
“Along with track construction, the project will include the catenary electrical system, train control, and communications system.”
California high speed project issues request for proposals for track construction - Trains
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California High Speed Rail Authority this week issued a Request For Proposals for the contract to build track and related systems for the 119-mile first segment of the project...
www.trains.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
“Along with track construction, the project will include the catenary electrical system, train control, and communications system.”
Reposted by Ryan
i actually was briefly made insane by this atlantic article (and the attached NYT piece linked in it) about how there was no plan to deal with the fact that businesses still need pennies despite the fact that we don't make them anymore
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
November 28, 2025 at 4:04 PM
i actually was briefly made insane by this atlantic article (and the attached NYT piece linked in it) about how there was no plan to deal with the fact that businesses still need pennies despite the fact that we don't make them anymore
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Hi from my aquarium 🐟
November 26, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Hi from my aquarium 🐟
Reposted by Ryan
The Harris County Democratic Party’s Steering Committee just sent a very loud message: they voted 17–7 to deny John Whitmire the party endorsement.
This isn’t symbolic—this is the first big test, and now the resolution heads to the full Precinct Chair meeting in December.
This isn’t symbolic—this is the first big test, and now the resolution heads to the full Precinct Chair meeting in December.
November 26, 2025 at 4:27 AM
The Harris County Democratic Party’s Steering Committee just sent a very loud message: they voted 17–7 to deny John Whitmire the party endorsement.
This isn’t symbolic—this is the first big test, and now the resolution heads to the full Precinct Chair meeting in December.
This isn’t symbolic—this is the first big test, and now the resolution heads to the full Precinct Chair meeting in December.
Reposted by Ryan
New CT railcars look nice (though the seats look narrow), and kudos to CT for buying what looks like a relatively off-the-shelf Euro product with state $$, but it's pretty funny to see these marketed as "European-style" when they're not MUs.
www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/s...
www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/s...
See inside CTRail's new multi-million dollar European-style rail cars
New train cars on CTRail’s Hartford line are one step closer. On Monday, the Connecticut Department of Transportation showed off prototypes for what will eventually be 60 new rail cars, rolling out in...
www.nbcconnecticut.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:24 PM
New CT railcars look nice (though the seats look narrow), and kudos to CT for buying what looks like a relatively off-the-shelf Euro product with state $$, but it's pretty funny to see these marketed as "European-style" when they're not MUs.
www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/s...
www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/s...
Good Morning Houston
November 25, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Good Morning Houston
Reposted by Ryan
We warned you that self-driving cars would just create self-driving traffic jams, and here they are.
The car industry has no solution to the shortage of space in cities. Public transit, cycling, and walking are all part of the answer, but cars are not.
The car industry has no solution to the shortage of space in cities. Public transit, cycling, and walking are all part of the answer, but cars are not.
Waymo privatized another public street:
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 AM
We warned you that self-driving cars would just create self-driving traffic jams, and here they are.
The car industry has no solution to the shortage of space in cities. Public transit, cycling, and walking are all part of the answer, but cars are not.
The car industry has no solution to the shortage of space in cities. Public transit, cycling, and walking are all part of the answer, but cars are not.
Reposted by Ryan
Deaths reached double digits on these high-traffic Houston roads.
Houston has some of the most dangerous roads for pedestrians
Deaths reached double digits on these high-traffic Houston roads.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Deaths reached double digits on these high-traffic Houston roads.
Reposted by Ryan
Lots of specific details on GO Train improvements across the Greater Toronto-Hamilton region in these documents shared by @glista.bsky.social on the other platform. Continued enhancement of service frequency continues but electrification scenarios are still a ways down the line…
November 22, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Lots of specific details on GO Train improvements across the Greater Toronto-Hamilton region in these documents shared by @glista.bsky.social on the other platform. Continued enhancement of service frequency continues but electrification scenarios are still a ways down the line…
Reposted by Ryan
A 73-year-old woman died early Friday morning after she was struck by a truck while walking on Westheimer Road, which was recently cited as one of the most dangerous stretches of pavement for pedestrians in the United States.
Woman struck and killed while walking on Westheimer, cited as one of the deadliest roads in U.S.
The deadly crash comes two days after The Washington Post named the Houston thoroughfare as one of the most dangerous streets in the country for pedestrians.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:03 PM
A 73-year-old woman died early Friday morning after she was struck by a truck while walking on Westheimer Road, which was recently cited as one of the most dangerous stretches of pavement for pedestrians in the United States.
Reposted by Ryan
Brightline October numbers are out, a significant jump following the rollout of a new schedule.
Oct ’25: 260,370, up 20% y/y
Sept. '25: 227,851
Aug: 252,425
July: 255,472
June: 254,627
May: 256,633
April: 243,285
March: 280,003
Feb: 247,083
Jan: 266,346
Dec '24: 264,201
Nov: 246,563
Oct: 217,735
Oct ’25: 260,370, up 20% y/y
Sept. '25: 227,851
Aug: 252,425
July: 255,472
June: 254,627
May: 256,633
April: 243,285
March: 280,003
Feb: 247,083
Jan: 266,346
Dec '24: 264,201
Nov: 246,563
Oct: 217,735
November 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Brightline October numbers are out, a significant jump following the rollout of a new schedule.
Oct ’25: 260,370, up 20% y/y
Sept. '25: 227,851
Aug: 252,425
July: 255,472
June: 254,627
May: 256,633
April: 243,285
March: 280,003
Feb: 247,083
Jan: 266,346
Dec '24: 264,201
Nov: 246,563
Oct: 217,735
Oct ’25: 260,370, up 20% y/y
Sept. '25: 227,851
Aug: 252,425
July: 255,472
June: 254,627
May: 256,633
April: 243,285
March: 280,003
Feb: 247,083
Jan: 266,346
Dec '24: 264,201
Nov: 246,563
Oct: 217,735
Reposted by Ryan
Despite the mostly correct perception of Houston as a sprawling asphalt wasteland, it has managed to create one good rail line & transit oriented urban area, more than most cities can say. The Medical Center near the Red Line has many choice riders shown by high transit commuting & car ownership
November 20, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Despite the mostly correct perception of Houston as a sprawling asphalt wasteland, it has managed to create one good rail line & transit oriented urban area, more than most cities can say. The Medical Center near the Red Line has many choice riders shown by high transit commuting & car ownership
Reposted by Ryan
Surprisingly little discussion of this despite it being powered by tremendous YoY NEC growth
Amtrak ridership went up 5 percent in the past year while revenue grew 10 percent, a win for an agency that has been fighting to preserve support for passenger rail under an administration skeptical of public transit.
In a tumultuous year, Amtrak got more riders at higher prices
Flight cancellations during the government shutdown gave Amtrak a boost, while more customers are choosing pricier business-class seats.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Surprisingly little discussion of this despite it being powered by tremendous YoY NEC growth
Reposted by Ryan
NEW: Sean Duffy frequently calls safety his “top priority” as transportation secretary. But I spent months wading through regulatory notices and found something far different: that USDOT has been delaying, weakening and killing dozens of safety rules, many opposed by the transportation industry.🧵
November 20, 2025 at 12:36 PM
NEW: Sean Duffy frequently calls safety his “top priority” as transportation secretary. But I spent months wading through regulatory notices and found something far different: that USDOT has been delaying, weakening and killing dozens of safety rules, many opposed by the transportation industry.🧵
Reposted by Ryan
JetBlue is adding 2 new transatlantic routes from Boston for summer 2026:
📍 Barcelona daily from April 16
📍 Milan daily from May 11
Boston is really becoming a European gateway for JetBlue.
📍 Barcelona daily from April 16
📍 Milan daily from May 11
Boston is really becoming a European gateway for JetBlue.
November 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
JetBlue is adding 2 new transatlantic routes from Boston for summer 2026:
📍 Barcelona daily from April 16
📍 Milan daily from May 11
Boston is really becoming a European gateway for JetBlue.
📍 Barcelona daily from April 16
📍 Milan daily from May 11
Boston is really becoming a European gateway for JetBlue.
Reposted by Ryan
Despite METRO’s explanations, Treviño says the board should not approve such a large contract without a clear list of streets, timelines, and cost breakdowns.
“When you bid work out, there has to be a scope of work,” Treviño said. “We essentially know where the work is, but you’re not sharing it….”
“When you bid work out, there has to be a scope of work,” Treviño said. “We essentially know where the work is, but you’re not sharing it….”
$80 million METRO contract raises board member concerns over transparency
$80 million METRO contract raises board member concerns over transparency
Houston METRO is facing scrutiny over an $80 million infrastructure contract, as some board members question the lack of detailed information on which streets will be repaired and how funds are allocated.
www.click2houston.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Despite METRO’s explanations, Treviño says the board should not approve such a large contract without a clear list of streets, timelines, and cost breakdowns.
“When you bid work out, there has to be a scope of work,” Treviño said. “We essentially know where the work is, but you’re not sharing it….”
“When you bid work out, there has to be a scope of work,” Treviño said. “We essentially know where the work is, but you’re not sharing it….”
Reposted by Ryan
Very good to see progress on this important project, which is designed to link dense suburban New Jersey cities.
“The Northern Branch Project”from NJ Transit will bring the Light Rail tracks 10 miles further north to an anticipated terminal at Englewood Hospital
NJ Transit Announces Plans to Expand Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Service
The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line will extend service into North Bergen with a proposed station at Englewood Hospital. Read more.
www.hobokengirl.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Very good to see progress on this important project, which is designed to link dense suburban New Jersey cities.
Reposted by Ryan
Portland: Highly damaging transit service cuts may be coming in the next year. Still no sign of a plan on how to prevent them.
No, there is not a lot of waste in the system; almost all service is justified by ridership or equity (we did that work).
trimet.org/servicecuts/...
No, there is not a lot of waste in the system; almost all service is justified by ridership or equity (we did that work).
trimet.org/servicecuts/...
Planned Bus and MAX Service Cuts
Due to a growing budget gap, we must cut some TriMet service starting in November 2025.
trimet.org
November 19, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Portland: Highly damaging transit service cuts may be coming in the next year. Still no sign of a plan on how to prevent them.
No, there is not a lot of waste in the system; almost all service is justified by ridership or equity (we did that work).
trimet.org/servicecuts/...
No, there is not a lot of waste in the system; almost all service is justified by ridership or equity (we did that work).
trimet.org/servicecuts/...
Reposted by Ryan
Almost half the Waymos on California streets are driving around empty. They're either waiting for the next customer or en route for a pickup.
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
November 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Almost half the Waymos on California streets are driving around empty. They're either waiting for the next customer or en route for a pickup.
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
Reposted by Ryan
The draft report: madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
If passenger trains return to Madison, the city wants its Amtrak station built along existing rail lines close to Downtown, transit and parking.
Wilson Street chosen as preferred location for Madison Amtrak station
If passenger trains return to Madison, the city wants its Amtrak station built along existing rail lines close to Downtown, transit and parking.
madison.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The draft report: madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
Reposted by Ryan
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-...