Yonah Freemark
@yonahfreemark.com
Transport / Housing / Land Use / Politics / @urbaninstitute.bsky.social / Le progrès ne vaut que s’il est partagé par tous / yonahfreemark.com / thetransportpolitic.com
Data from the National Association of Realtors paints a painful portrait of American home buying:
All-cash buyers at 26% of the market.
Median age of the typical homebuyer: a stunning 59 years old.
nar.realtor/research-and...
All-cash buyers at 26% of the market.
Median age of the typical homebuyer: a stunning 59 years old.
nar.realtor/research-and...
November 20, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Data from the National Association of Realtors paints a painful portrait of American home buying:
All-cash buyers at 26% of the market.
Median age of the typical homebuyer: a stunning 59 years old.
nar.realtor/research-and...
All-cash buyers at 26% of the market.
Median age of the typical homebuyer: a stunning 59 years old.
nar.realtor/research-and...
Cutting federal transit funding would hurt transit providers in rural areas the most. They are far more dependent on federal transit funding for operations & capital needs than are systems in large urban areas.
Moreover, transit providers in Trump-voting states would get disproportionately hurt.
Moreover, transit providers in Trump-voting states would get disproportionately hurt.
November 18, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Cutting federal transit funding would hurt transit providers in rural areas the most. They are far more dependent on federal transit funding for operations & capital needs than are systems in large urban areas.
Moreover, transit providers in Trump-voting states would get disproportionately hurt.
Moreover, transit providers in Trump-voting states would get disproportionately hurt.
The Trump Administration, in internal documents, claims that cutting transit funding is necessary to solve this revenue problem.
But even if the federal government cut ALL transit funding, and directed all revenues to highways, it would still have an almost $200 billion gap by 2035!
But even if the federal government cut ALL transit funding, and directed all revenues to highways, it would still have an almost $200 billion gap by 2035!
November 18, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The Trump Administration, in internal documents, claims that cutting transit funding is necessary to solve this revenue problem.
But even if the federal government cut ALL transit funding, and directed all revenues to highways, it would still have an almost $200 billion gap by 2035!
But even if the federal government cut ALL transit funding, and directed all revenues to highways, it would still have an almost $200 billion gap by 2035!
Here's what's clear: The Highway Trust Fund, which supports federal highway and transit funding, collects FAR less revenues than the Congress outlays to spend on transportation.
Between 2025 & 2035, the difference between spending & revenues is estimated to be a massive $436 billion.
Between 2025 & 2035, the difference between spending & revenues is estimated to be a massive $436 billion.
November 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Here's what's clear: The Highway Trust Fund, which supports federal highway and transit funding, collects FAR less revenues than the Congress outlays to spend on transportation.
Between 2025 & 2035, the difference between spending & revenues is estimated to be a massive $436 billion.
Between 2025 & 2035, the difference between spending & revenues is estimated to be a massive $436 billion.
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-...
A personal favorite thing about this announcement from DC Metro (WMATA): In its board materials, Metro is using a map I created 8 years ago for the Transport Politic (www.thetransportpolitic.com/2017/09/26/t...)! Nice to see the longevity of that research!
November 17, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A personal favorite thing about this announcement from DC Metro (WMATA): In its board materials, Metro is using a map I created 8 years ago for the Transport Politic (www.thetransportpolitic.com/2017/09/26/t...)! Nice to see the longevity of that research!
The agency says it would start the modernization with the Red Line, which operates independently, & start platform door installation downtown. It would then move to the rest of the system.
The full board briefing on this is worth checking out: www.wmata.com/about/board/...
The full board briefing on this is worth checking out: www.wmata.com/about/board/...
November 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The agency says it would start the modernization with the Red Line, which operates independently, & start platform door installation downtown. It would then move to the rest of the system.
The full board briefing on this is worth checking out: www.wmata.com/about/board/...
The full board briefing on this is worth checking out: www.wmata.com/about/board/...
Major announcement in just-posted board documents: DC's Metro is moving fast toward automation.
Over 15 years, Metro plans full automation & platform screen doors, which the agency says will improve safety, reliability, & travel times—at reduced costs.
www.wmata.com/about/board/...
Over 15 years, Metro plans full automation & platform screen doors, which the agency says will improve safety, reliability, & travel times—at reduced costs.
www.wmata.com/about/board/...
November 17, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Major announcement in just-posted board documents: DC's Metro is moving fast toward automation.
Over 15 years, Metro plans full automation & platform screen doors, which the agency says will improve safety, reliability, & travel times—at reduced costs.
www.wmata.com/about/board/...
Over 15 years, Metro plans full automation & platform screen doors, which the agency says will improve safety, reliability, & travel times—at reduced costs.
www.wmata.com/about/board/...
We find a mixed bag:
—Obligated spending—promised funding—from EPA & Department of Energy increased more rapidly to disadvantaged counties than other counties
—But at the Departments of Transportation & Interior, obligations for disadvantaged counties increased *less* quickly than other counties.
—Obligated spending—promised funding—from EPA & Department of Energy increased more rapidly to disadvantaged counties than other counties
—But at the Departments of Transportation & Interior, obligations for disadvantaged counties increased *less* quickly than other counties.
November 13, 2025 at 2:20 PM
We find a mixed bag:
—Obligated spending—promised funding—from EPA & Department of Energy increased more rapidly to disadvantaged counties than other counties
—But at the Departments of Transportation & Interior, obligations for disadvantaged counties increased *less* quickly than other counties.
—Obligated spending—promised funding—from EPA & Department of Energy increased more rapidly to disadvantaged counties than other counties
—But at the Departments of Transportation & Interior, obligations for disadvantaged counties increased *less* quickly than other counties.
And when you account for the massive increase in construction costs during the pandemic, the story looks even worse. We estimate that there was no consequential increase in spending on bridges, rail transit, or transit in general. Even spending on highway pavement has barely increased.
November 12, 2025 at 5:41 PM
And when you account for the massive increase in construction costs during the pandemic, the story looks even worse. We estimate that there was no consequential increase in spending on bridges, rail transit, or transit in general. Even spending on highway pavement has barely increased.
After the law went into effect, we find that it produced a major boost in spending on streets/highway-related investment, adjusted for inflation.
But spending on non-streets/highway investment, like rail transit, flatlined. States & cities *reduced* spending on rail transit after the law passed.
But spending on non-streets/highway investment, like rail transit, flatlined. States & cities *reduced* spending on rail transit after the law passed.
November 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
After the law went into effect, we find that it produced a major boost in spending on streets/highway-related investment, adjusted for inflation.
But spending on non-streets/highway investment, like rail transit, flatlined. States & cities *reduced* spending on rail transit after the law passed.
But spending on non-streets/highway investment, like rail transit, flatlined. States & cities *reduced* spending on rail transit after the law passed.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was passed because of a widespread sense that the nation's infrastructure—particularly its transport infra—was out of date & needed to be expanded.
As a share of the federal budget & of the US GDP, transportation spending had declined dramatically since the 1960s.
As a share of the federal budget & of the US GDP, transportation spending had declined dramatically since the 1960s.
November 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was passed because of a widespread sense that the nation's infrastructure—particularly its transport infra—was out of date & needed to be expanded.
As a share of the federal budget & of the US GDP, transportation spending had declined dramatically since the 1960s.
As a share of the federal budget & of the US GDP, transportation spending had declined dramatically since the 1960s.
Katie Wilson is leading in the Seattle mayor's race!
November 10, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Katie Wilson is leading in the Seattle mayor's race!
US mortgages at 30 years are already at the high end compared to other wealthy countries, which are more likely to have 20 to 25 year terms. www.oecd.org/content/dam/... Every year the mortgage term is extended, the more interest the household is paying.
November 9, 2025 at 3:05 AM
US mortgages at 30 years are already at the high end compared to other wealthy countries, which are more likely to have 20 to 25 year terms. www.oecd.org/content/dam/... Every year the mortgage term is extended, the more interest the household is paying.
The @rpa.org has a really good report on reduced transit fares for low-income households across the country.
Unfortunately, these programs do not enroll all the people who are theoretically qualified to use them.
The report recommends implementing auto-enrollment practices rpa.org/work/reports...
Unfortunately, these programs do not enroll all the people who are theoretically qualified to use them.
The report recommends implementing auto-enrollment practices rpa.org/work/reports...
November 9, 2025 at 12:46 AM
The @rpa.org has a really good report on reduced transit fares for low-income households across the country.
Unfortunately, these programs do not enroll all the people who are theoretically qualified to use them.
The report recommends implementing auto-enrollment practices rpa.org/work/reports...
Unfortunately, these programs do not enroll all the people who are theoretically qualified to use them.
The report recommends implementing auto-enrollment practices rpa.org/work/reports...
In Jersey City, it's a tight race, but James Solomon is currently leading former NJ governor Jim McGreevey.
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 AM
In Jersey City, it's a tight race, but James Solomon is currently leading former NJ governor Jim McGreevey.
(Almost) everyone wants New York City to finally have a single digital map
November 5, 2025 at 2:50 AM
(Almost) everyone wants New York City to finally have a single digital map
The conclusion of one of the most remarkable series of events in US political history, I'd say.
November 5, 2025 at 2:46 AM
The conclusion of one of the most remarkable series of events in US political history, I'd say.
An update on Columbus' bond issues: all look headed for passage, having gained support after the initial results.
November 5, 2025 at 2:36 AM
An update on Columbus' bond issues: all look headed for passage, having gained support after the initial results.
Results for Denver ballot issue 2E: $60 million for housing and shelters, up with 63% of the vote.
November 5, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Results for Denver ballot issue 2E: $60 million for housing and shelters, up with 63% of the vote.
Initial results in NYC: Mamdani up 52% to 40% for Cuomo
November 5, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Initial results in NYC: Mamdani up 52% to 40% for Cuomo
Just with early vote reporting, Charlotte's transportation sales tax referendum is currently up 55–45%. But I caution this is just the early vote!
November 5, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Just with early vote reporting, Charlotte's transportation sales tax referendum is currently up 55–45%. But I caution this is just the early vote!
In Columbus, OH, initial results show all of the city's bond issues leading with 60–70% of the vote.
The neighborhood development bond issue would provide $500 million for neighborhood development and affordable housing.
The neighborhood development bond issue would provide $500 million for neighborhood development and affordable housing.
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 AM
In Columbus, OH, initial results show all of the city's bond issues leading with 60–70% of the vote.
The neighborhood development bond issue would provide $500 million for neighborhood development and affordable housing.
The neighborhood development bond issue would provide $500 million for neighborhood development and affordable housing.
Remember when Obama cancelled funds for NJ after Christie won governorship in 2009? Or when Biden cancelled funds for VA after Youngkin won in 2021?
You can’t remember that, because those things never happened.
What Trump threatens—cancelling funds because of election results—is unprecedented.
You can’t remember that, because those things never happened.
What Trump threatens—cancelling funds because of election results—is unprecedented.
November 3, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Remember when Obama cancelled funds for NJ after Christie won governorship in 2009? Or when Biden cancelled funds for VA after Youngkin won in 2021?
You can’t remember that, because those things never happened.
What Trump threatens—cancelling funds because of election results—is unprecedented.
You can’t remember that, because those things never happened.
What Trump threatens—cancelling funds because of election results—is unprecedented.
In the early 1980s, the typical household with an elderly householder had a net wealth similar to the national average. Now it's about 55% greater than the average. Meanwhile, young households now have substantially less comparative wealth than they had back then.
www.nber.org/papers/w34131
www.nber.org/papers/w34131
November 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM
In the early 1980s, the typical household with an elderly householder had a net wealth similar to the national average. Now it's about 55% greater than the average. Meanwhile, young households now have substantially less comparative wealth than they had back then.
www.nber.org/papers/w34131
www.nber.org/papers/w34131