Cyrus Hall
@cyrushall.bsky.social
Mass car use is geometrically incompatible with great cities. Transit & bikes are the future. Tech things sometimes.
Call to action (erm, 📨email to action): Mayor Lurie needs to hear your desire for a robust and fully funded Muni _this week_. Background follows.
Next November, with a little luck, there will be two measures on your ballot to fund transit. Both have to pass for Muni to not cut up to 50% of service.
Next November, with a little luck, there will be two measures on your ballot to fund transit. Both have to pass for Muni to not cut up to 50% of service.
November 19, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Call to action (erm, 📨email to action): Mayor Lurie needs to hear your desire for a robust and fully funded Muni _this week_. Background follows.
Next November, with a little luck, there will be two measures on your ballot to fund transit. Both have to pass for Muni to not cut up to 50% of service.
Next November, with a little luck, there will be two measures on your ballot to fund transit. Both have to pass for Muni to not cut up to 50% of service.
Removing the ability of states to flex highway funding would be another blow to California's ability to keep Bay Area transit alive. While California does not currently use the ability to flex highway funding, 1) it should, and 2) it may have to in future years.
Trump Administration is to propose a massive cut in federal transit funding as part of 2026 transport legislation.
This proposal would decimate the nation's transit systems, while not actually solving the revenue problem federal transportation funding faces.
Evidence @urbaninstitute.bsky.social ⏬
This proposal would decimate the nation's transit systems, while not actually solving the revenue problem federal transportation funding faces.
Evidence @urbaninstitute.bsky.social ⏬
Cutting Federal Transit Funding Won’t Fix Budget Shortfalls. But It Would Make Transportation Less Affordable for Americans.
A proposal to eliminate federal public transit funding would not only fail to address the existing funding gap but would also leave millions of Americans, pa…
www.urban.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Removing the ability of states to flex highway funding would be another blow to California's ability to keep Bay Area transit alive. While California does not currently use the ability to flex highway funding, 1) it should, and 2) it may have to in future years.
I can only image the Head of Security for Microsoft hates their life and wants to slink away in shame after his boss decided to launch the AI product rather than protecting customers.
I look forward to seeing Microsoft turning this on by default in a year before jumping off a bridge screaming.
I look forward to seeing Microsoft turning this on by default in a year before jumping off a bridge screaming.
November 19, 2025 at 3:18 AM
I can only image the Head of Security for Microsoft hates their life and wants to slink away in shame after his boss decided to launch the AI product rather than protecting customers.
I look forward to seeing Microsoft turning this on by default in a year before jumping off a bridge screaming.
I look forward to seeing Microsoft turning this on by default in a year before jumping off a bridge screaming.
If we're going to actually prosecute those in power who break the law after Trump is defeated, we could start by dipping our toes in the water and not fly the flag at half-mast for a man who's lies and actions directly lead to a million plus deaths in the Middle East.
California is flying flags at half-staff this week. Here’s why
United States flags will stay at half-staff through Thursday on California government buildings.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
If we're going to actually prosecute those in power who break the law after Trump is defeated, we could start by dipping our toes in the water and not fly the flag at half-mast for a man who's lies and actions directly lead to a million plus deaths in the Middle East.
Reposted by Cyrus Hall
Flock is not only not trustworthy, but their devices are deeply penetrated. @bennjordan.bsky.social has done amazing work on Flock for a bit now, and this video should make it clear no city should be working with this company.
The Cameras Tracking You = A Security Nightmare
YouTube video by Benn Jordan
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Flock is not only not trustworthy, but their devices are deeply penetrated. @bennjordan.bsky.social has done amazing work on Flock for a bit now, and this video should make it clear no city should be working with this company.
Flock is not only not trustworthy, but their devices are deeply penetrated. @bennjordan.bsky.social has done amazing work on Flock for a bit now, and this video should make it clear no city should be working with this company.
The Cameras Tracking You = A Security Nightmare
YouTube video by Benn Jordan
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Flock is not only not trustworthy, but their devices are deeply penetrated. @bennjordan.bsky.social has done amazing work on Flock for a bit now, and this video should make it clear no city should be working with this company.
Reposted by Cyrus Hall
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.
Folks should know that @muni.sfmta.com exists for automated service alerts! Still no place to see their normal day to day posts on Bluesky.
November 15, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Folks should know that @muni.sfmta.com exists for automated service alerts! Still no place to see their normal day to day posts on Bluesky.
I just had to write the words "free speech permit" in a work context and am now resisting indulging in a lengthy rant.
November 15, 2025 at 12:45 AM
I just had to write the words "free speech permit" in a work context and am now resisting indulging in a lengthy rant.
Pump it into my veins. Off-hour delivery is an under-appreciated need for cities to implement better curb management policies, which in turn will make transit and bike lanes much easier political propositions. Excited to see SFCTA recommending a pilot and seeking funding to manage it.
November 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Pump it into my veins. Off-hour delivery is an under-appreciated need for cities to implement better curb management policies, which in turn will make transit and bike lanes much easier political propositions. Excited to see SFCTA recommending a pilot and seeking funding to manage it.
Reposted by Cyrus Hall
I'm attending a workshop hosted by @techpolicypress.bsky.social tomorrow. They invited me to write a "provocation" about the state of technology and democracy right now.
I think I wrote something appropriately dark and foreboding.
www.techpolicy.press/the-dance-wi...
I think I wrote something appropriately dark and foreboding.
www.techpolicy.press/the-dance-wi...
The Dance with Big Tech is Different under Trump 2.0 | TechPolicy.Press
If we are going to repair democratic institutions, we are going to have to do it ourselves, writes Dave Karpf.
www.techpolicy.press
November 13, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I'm attending a workshop hosted by @techpolicypress.bsky.social tomorrow. They invited me to write a "provocation" about the state of technology and democracy right now.
I think I wrote something appropriately dark and foreboding.
www.techpolicy.press/the-dance-wi...
I think I wrote something appropriately dark and foreboding.
www.techpolicy.press/the-dance-wi...
Reposted by Cyrus Hall
Exactly!
We can both address the immediate crisis by passing a transit funding measure next year
AND plan for the future.
We need to plan now to make the San Antonio BART station happen when transit capital funding starts flowing again. BART projects take a long time!
We can both address the immediate crisis by passing a transit funding measure next year
AND plan for the future.
We need to plan now to make the San Antonio BART station happen when transit capital funding starts flowing again. BART projects take a long time!
I don't see a big conflict here. BART is right to focus on keeping the lights on. And Oakland advocates are right to think long-term and paint a picture of a future with better BART, creating some excitement ahead of the funding measure.
BART’s fiscal crisis could close 9 stations. So why are people pushing for a new one in Oakland?
BART is facing a budget crisis of unfathomable magnitude. But that hasn’t stopped political leaders from pressing for a new train station in East Oakland.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Exactly!
We can both address the immediate crisis by passing a transit funding measure next year
AND plan for the future.
We need to plan now to make the San Antonio BART station happen when transit capital funding starts flowing again. BART projects take a long time!
We can both address the immediate crisis by passing a transit funding measure next year
AND plan for the future.
We need to plan now to make the San Antonio BART station happen when transit capital funding starts flowing again. BART projects take a long time!
Current top search in San Francisco: "tenure of Liz Truss"
November 14, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Current top search in San Francisco: "tenure of Liz Truss"
I just grabbed a copy!
TODAY is publication day for my first book! If You Want to Win, You’ve Got to Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy is a practical guide for people who want to make #transit, #bike, and street safety changes in their community
Check it out at islandpress.org/books/if-you...
Check it out at islandpress.org/books/if-you...
November 13, 2025 at 7:58 PM
I just grabbed a copy!
Reposted by Cyrus Hall
“By cutting aid for permanent housing by 2/3 next year, the plan risks a sudden end of support… beginning as soon as January. All are disabled — a condition of the aid — and many are 50 or older. The document does not explain how they would find housing.”
This is far worse than anyone expected.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Trump Administration to Drastically Cut Housing Grants
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:05 AM
“By cutting aid for permanent housing by 2/3 next year, the plan risks a sudden end of support… beginning as soon as January. All are disabled — a condition of the aid — and many are 50 or older. The document does not explain how they would find housing.”
Californai peeps, I bring CA-1 news: With Prop 50 passed, Audrey Denney is running in CA-1! Audrey has challenged Doug LaMalfa - a MAGA asshole - twice, and come withing 4% of beating him in a what _was_ a heavily tilted R district. But CA-1 has lost R strongholds, and Santa Rosa has joined!
November 13, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Californai peeps, I bring CA-1 news: With Prop 50 passed, Audrey Denney is running in CA-1! Audrey has challenged Doug LaMalfa - a MAGA asshole - twice, and come withing 4% of beating him in a what _was_ a heavily tilted R district. But CA-1 has lost R strongholds, and Santa Rosa has joined!
There is no reason to believe Waymo or Zoox will be any different.
Remember all the hype about how Uber and Lyft would allow people to live car-free?
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
November 12, 2025 at 10:37 PM
There is no reason to believe Waymo or Zoox will be any different.
Reposted by Cyrus Hall
BTW, a 2021 Carnie Mellon study found that ridehail's arrival in a new city *increases* car ownership.
The reason: Few residents ditch their car, while some become ridehail drivers and buy vehicles.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
The reason: Few residents ditch their car, while some become ridehail drivers and buy vehicles.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
November 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
BTW, a 2021 Carnie Mellon study found that ridehail's arrival in a new city *increases* car ownership.
The reason: Few residents ditch their car, while some become ridehail drivers and buy vehicles.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
The reason: Few residents ditch their car, while some become ridehail drivers and buy vehicles.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
🪄
Drivers stop at crosswalks in Poland now because they passed presumed liability, and they ran a public awareness campaign to promote it. The driver is presumed to be at fault if they hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
The zebra stripes in Poland have magical power that the ones in America don’t. Even on a fast divided highway, a pedestrian in the shadows, well back from the curb, can stop traffic.
November 12, 2025 at 8:32 PM
🪄
Great thread on why unfocused, one-time investment in transportation infrastructure ended up a mess with poor outcomes.
We need a plan for the future, not just hope that dominant construction interests (capital and labor), and politicians addicted to roads, will suddenly build more useful things.
We need a plan for the future, not just hope that dominant construction interests (capital and labor), and politicians addicted to roads, will suddenly build more useful things.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed 4 years ago. In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social we study its effects.
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
Federal Infrastructure Spending on Transportation, Four Years after the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is up for reauthorization in 2026. New analysis shows that the act increased spending on transportation infrastructure, but…
www.urban.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Great thread on why unfocused, one-time investment in transportation infrastructure ended up a mess with poor outcomes.
We need a plan for the future, not just hope that dominant construction interests (capital and labor), and politicians addicted to roads, will suddenly build more useful things.
We need a plan for the future, not just hope that dominant construction interests (capital and labor), and politicians addicted to roads, will suddenly build more useful things.
Massive gap in 49 service southbound right now. 8 min evening frequency looking more like 15-20 mins.
November 12, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Massive gap in 49 service southbound right now. 8 min evening frequency looking more like 15-20 mins.
Reposted by Cyrus Hall
🚦 NEW, NOT SO FAST: A Bayview project was uncontroversial — until it went up for a vote and three people said SFMTA hadn't done enough outreach. Now it's been delayed indefinitely, and it's unclear how that will affect funding. @unazurda.bsky.social reports. thefrisc.com/bayview-stre...
Bayview Street Safety Project Delayed By 3 Complaints, Minutes Before a Vote
Calls for more outreach surprised SFMTA officials, but they shelved the plan’s approval for now. Will it jeopardize future funding?
thefrisc.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:42 AM
🚦 NEW, NOT SO FAST: A Bayview project was uncontroversial — until it went up for a vote and three people said SFMTA hadn't done enough outreach. Now it's been delayed indefinitely, and it's unclear how that will affect funding. @unazurda.bsky.social reports. thefrisc.com/bayview-stre...
Brightline is reminding us that building HSR in the US is too damn expensive, and letting a private company do it doesn't magically make it cheaper. Their projected costs for Brightline West have doubled and now they want federal money.
Western high-speed rail line asks Trump for $6B as costs balloon
The project aims to connect Las Vegas and Southern California. Trains along the route are expected to hit speeds up to 200 mph.
www.eenews.net
November 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Brightline is reminding us that building HSR in the US is too damn expensive, and letting a private company do it doesn't magically make it cheaper. Their projected costs for Brightline West have doubled and now they want federal money.
Ahh yes, just my health insurance premiums going up by 11% year-over-year. I can't wait to be paying more for health insurance than rent a decade from now. Truly a sustainable and scalable system we have here in the US.
November 11, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Ahh yes, just my health insurance premiums going up by 11% year-over-year. I can't wait to be paying more for health insurance than rent a decade from now. Truly a sustainable and scalable system we have here in the US.
Reposted by Cyrus Hall
Tomorrow is your last chance to ride the MUNI Breda LRVs!
I will def be at the happy hour, my ride time is flexible depending on who else will be going and when. :)
If you’re interested in tagging along, comment or DM and we can coordinate!
www.sfmta.com/blog/bye-bye...
I will def be at the happy hour, my ride time is flexible depending on who else will be going and when. :)
If you’re interested in tagging along, comment or DM and we can coordinate!
www.sfmta.com/blog/bye-bye...
Bye Bye, Breda: Take a Last Ride on a Transit Superstar
Our Breda light rail vehicles have carried San Francisco through years of change and connection.
www.sfmta.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Tomorrow is your last chance to ride the MUNI Breda LRVs!
I will def be at the happy hour, my ride time is flexible depending on who else will be going and when. :)
If you’re interested in tagging along, comment or DM and we can coordinate!
www.sfmta.com/blog/bye-bye...
I will def be at the happy hour, my ride time is flexible depending on who else will be going and when. :)
If you’re interested in tagging along, comment or DM and we can coordinate!
www.sfmta.com/blog/bye-bye...