News

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that City Supervisor Chris Daly wants to ban cars from part of Market Street.  While transit would still be able to traverse the 2.3 mile stretch between Octavia Boulevard and the Embarcadero all privately owned passenger vehicles would be banned.

The Times reports that Southern California school districts are cutting back on school bus funding to help balance their budgets.  In some areas, the urban design style so "popular" in Southern California has led those students unfortunate enough to lose their bus options no choices besides the private automobile for transport or not going to school at all.  Unsurprisingly, these cuts are proving less than popular.

The LAPD Testifies on the Gate Closure

In an effort to improve safety and mobility for pedestrians and cyclists, Washington, DC has embarked on a number of livable streets reforms (market rate street parking), and is considering others (reclaiming auto-occupied street space for people). Though a recent article in the Washington Post casts these initiatives as a "war" against car commuters, it's clear that DC officials -- like those in many US cities -- are in fact acting to level the field following decades of auto dominance, and at a time when driving has become a more expensive, less desirable option.

If you're the LA Times, you think, "yuck, who wants any of that?"

Biting commentary on the D.C. dog and pony show isn't just for Streetsblog anymore.

(The following post was written by Ron Milam, longtime transportation advocate, co-founder of the LACBC, Eco-Villager and self-employed consultant. Read more about Ron at his website.  Also, our friend Darrell Clarke has more images from the conference at LA Visions.)

At a Time When Transit Agencies Are Fighting For Every Dollar, Metrolink Wastes Money Suing Bloggers