Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

Talking Headways Podcast: The Most Exhilarating Transit Ride in America

podcast icon logo
Meal delivery is one service of Project Roomkey. Photo: LAHSA

This week's guest is Matt Johnson, a bike planner for Montgomery County, Maryland and a writer at Greater Greater Washington. Instead of visiting every baseball park or trying out each city’s regional cuisine, Matt rides their rail systems. In fact, he’s ridden every American urban rail system open today (101 total), as shown in this handy spreadsheet.

Matt tells us about his favorite systems and what got him started on his journey to ride them all. We also get into the allure of long-distance Amtrak travel and how the annual #NerdTrain -- a gathering of GGW contributors and friend aboard Amtrak -- got started. And we of course get Matt's take on several DC transit topics including the streetcar, the walkability problem with Tyson’s Corner, and how transit planners choose alignments for new routes.

So tune in and find out which city is home to "The Most Exhilarating Transit Ride in America."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

“Disrespectful” and “infuriating”: L.A.’s progress on making streets safe and accessible for disabled people stalled for decades

Curb ramps have been required when repaving a street since 1992. Why is L.A. only now saying it must follow the law?

February 27, 2026

Friday’s Headlines

Metro D Line, Wilmington ped/bike bridge, parking, Carson, Pasadena, oil, WeHo, Downey, car-nage and more

February 27, 2026

SGV Bus Rapid Transit Gets Another $3.9M for Study and Design

Early improvements combine for about 14 miles of continuous bus lanes, expected to be installed in advance of the 2028 Olympic games

February 26, 2026

Metro D Line Subway Extension Will Open Friday May 8

Subway riders will be able to travel from Beverly Hills to Downtown L.A. in just 20 minutes

February 26, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines

ICE, LAPD, speed cameras, SB79, Santa Monica, charter reform, E Line, Beverly Hills, WeHo, car-nage, and more

February 26, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines

Westwood, SB79, shade competition, Bundy TOD, Pasadena parking, car-nage, and more

February 25, 2026
See all posts