Image of Black Lives Matter signs at protests. People holding signs and walking down the street.

Mobility Justice

The emotional labor of participation. Tamika Butler and Justin Garrett Moore discuss the types of labor that people of color, and in particular Black people, are often asked or forced to shoulder in the planning sector. (Open Spaces)

Trust Black women, follow Black women. “White men dominate the urban planning sector. If we’re to build equitable transportation, however, we need Black women.” (Atmos)

Planning solidarity? From silence to refusal. A reckoning with planning’s reproduction of racial harm. (Planning Theory and Practice)

Smart Growth America Equity Summit envisions a community-led approach to planning. Conversations that assess errors of the past and the needs of the present, and envisions the future in a spirit of trust, celebration and healing. (Streetsblog)

How White Liberals destroyed the 1970’s Soul City. A new book explains how Floyd McKissick’s plan to build a utopia for African Americans based on the theory of “Black capitalism” was ultimately sabotaged. (CityLab)

Racial disparities prompt calls to repeal King County’s bicycle helmet law. “An analysis of 1,667 helmet citations issued between 2003 and 2020 in Seattle found that Black cyclists received helmet infractions at a rate nearly four times higher than white cyclists.” (Seattle Times)

Examining equity in transportation safety enforcement. A discussion with US Representatives on the intersection of transportation, safety, and equity. (US House Transportation)

The human infrastructure of sustainable transportation systems: Human-powered mobility and just transition. What role can bicycling play in healing the intersecting harms of racial and climate injustice? (UCLA)

Remixing innovation for mobility equity: guidance for planners. How can data help planners achieve equitable outcomes and how can advocates inform innovation and planning efforts? (TransForm)

California must prioritize transportation equity. An exploration of the Governor’s recent budget proposal and its focus on transportation equity, and why it needs much more attention. (Greenlining)

Can a land bridge restore what a Black community lost? At the height of the urban renewal era, state and local governments across the country strategically routed highway projects through the heart of Black neighborhoods. Now, advocates from St. Paul are hoping to restore some of what was ripped away by building a land bridge over a troubled roadway. (Streetsblog)

 

Action Alert: Support Equitable Fare Enforcement!

Link light rail in tunnel, person walking with cane on platform.

No one should end up in court because they cannot afford a transit ticket. The state legislature is considering a bill that would allow Sound Transit to reform its punitive fare enforcement program — and we need your help to get it passed.

 

We’re recruiting new Board Members!

Graphic of people at bus stop, riding a bike, holding a balloon.

​Transportation Choices Coalition seeks board members who are engaged in the success of our organization, will steward the financial health of TCC, and have a passion for our mission.

 

TCC’s Communications Manager is moving on

Collage of images of TCC team and TCC comms manager Keiko.

It is a bittersweet moment as we announce the departure of Keiko Budech, TCC’s Senior Communications Manager.

 

What’s new

Opinion: The road to recovery: A healthy, equitable economy starts with investments in transportation. TCC and partners highlight how Washington’s transportation system is vital to our state’s economic recovery. (Seattle Times)

TCC’s Dispatches from Olympia. Check out our latest updates from legislative session. (TCC)

As Vancouver’s population grows, C-Tran strives to build mass transit system. “People still have places to go. People still have things to do. There are essential workers who must get to their jobs.” (Columbian)

Intercity Transit keeps Thurston County rolling. Throughout Thurston County, Intercity Transit’s dedication to free fares on clean buses helps everyone get where they’re going. (Thurston Talk)

Kitsap Transit buys used 320-passenger vessel. The vessel will be used as a potential backup on the Southworth-Seattle route. (Kitsap Sun)

Spokane Transit’s City Line construction updates. City Line construction begins March 1 and is planned to be completed in mid-April. (Spokane Transit)

Tell the Senate to pass $30 billion to #SaveTransit! Public transit around the country is on the edge of disaster due to funding gaps caused by the Covid-19 crisis. Federal funding is needed to support transit access for all of the essential workers who rely on transit to get where they need to go. (Greater Redmond TMA)

Lower Sounder fares take effect in March. ORCA LIFT, Youth and Regional Reduced Fare permit holders will be able to ride Sounder at a new, reduced fare starting March 1. (Sound Transit)

Everett provides paratransit trips to vaccination sites. Everett Transit to provide fare free paratransit service to any mass vaccination sites. (Everett News)

Port of Longview updates master plan. The Port of Longview wants increase revenue and jobs, focus on growth, and expand rail lines. (Daily News)

Puget Sound Regional Council data visualization map. Explore research and data trends that are helping to shape the development of the 2022 Regional Transportation Plan. (PSRC)

Just movement listening sessions and survey findings. Front and Centered conducted a series of listening sessions and surveys with member organizations across the state to develop its proposals on a host of transportation issues related to climate and environmental justice. (Front and Centered)

Opinion: As we aim for less reliance on cars, learn from those who don’t drive. 25% of Washingtonians don’t have driver’s licenses, and the cost of purchasing and maintaining a vehicle means many others rely on other means of transportation. (Seattle Times)

 

Next stop

Two people walking off of bus.

Event: Mobility for essential workers. The Access to Work and School Roundtable is convening on transportation needs of essential workers. Attend the event to hear from Seattle Department of Transportation, University of Washington, and more on work that addresses worker needs. (King County Mobility Coalition)

Friday forum: Race & transportation policy in Pierce County and Tacoma. How do infrastructure ideas become reality? How do problems like faulty sidewalks and inadequate bus stops get fixed?. (Downtown on the Go!)

Summit on racial equity. Greenlining’s Annual Economic Summit is more than a virtual conference. It’s a unique gathering where innovation, art and activism align. (Greenlining)

Open house: Stride Bus Rapid Transit is coming to north Lake Washington. Learn more about the route design, ask questions and share your thoughts. (Sound Transit)

Presentation: Sound Transit realignment scenarios. Learn more about Sound Transit’s funding shortfall, current project schedules, and budgets.(Sound Transit)

Survey: Ben Franklin Transit commute change survey. Help shape public transportation in Benton and Franklin Counties. (Ben Franklin Transit)

Apply: Sound Transit Citizen’s Oversight Panel. Help oversee the agency’s work to operate, plan and construct the biggest transit expansion in the nation. (Sound Transit)

Apply: 2021 AARP community challenge. The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. (AARP)

Bellevue walking tour. Complete Streets Bellevue will host three walking audits in Bellevue. (Complete Streets Bellevue)

CityLab conference. Join city leaders and cross-sector urban thinkers, experts and artists and create solutions for our cities’ most pressing challenges. (Bloomberg)

Sign on: Transit Justice Pledge. Transit is essential, Justice is crucial. Add your name. (TransitCenter) 

WDSOT online open houses. Weigh in on statewide transportation projects, including the active transportation plan, SR 202 corridor study, and more. (WSDOT)

Community Transit 2021 survey. Your feedback will help us meet your public transportation needs, improve transportation options, and improve communications. (Community Transit)

 

What we’re reading

Boy reading a book while sitting on the bus.

Opinion: There’s one big problem with electric cars. They’re still cars. Technology can’t cure America of its addiction to the automobile. (New York Times)

How highways make traffic worse. Highway expansion projects don’t do what you might think they do. (Vox)

Post-covid, transit agencies must look beyond ridership. With commuters grounded and passenger numbers likely to remain low in cities, public transportation leaders should focus on a different metric for usefulness: transit access. (CityLab)

Maps: How car-centric street networks make buses less efficient. “It’s the quality of transit, but it’s also a function of the types of neighborhood that they’re serving.” (CityLab)

#SaveTransit Day of Congressional Action March 2. Demand the Senate pass $30 Billion to save public transit. (Just Strategy)

How much service are transit agencies running during the pandemic? For transit riders, the pandemic brought about sudden and severe cutbacks in service. Nearly all transit agencies have restored some service since then, but a TransitCenter analysis shows wide variation. (TransitCenter)

The reason more women drivers die in car crashes. Women drivers are more likely to die in crashes because the male drivers who hit them are more likely to be driving trucks and SUVs, a new study finds. (Streetsblog)

Transit agencies brace for vaccination push amid murky guidance. Though federal agencies have deemed public transit a priority for COVID-19 vaccinations, states are charting their own plans to address rider demands. (SmartCities Dive)

‘People should be alarmed’: air pollution in US subway systems stuns researchers. Riders in major cities encounter particle quantities above safe levels. (Guardian)

Will congestion pricing clear LA’s clogged arteries? Los Angeles Metro is considering four congestion-pricing scenarios in the hopes of choosing one by next year. (GovTech)

If you can’t get to your vaccine appointment, these cities will drive you. What happens if those eligible for a vaccine can’t get to the clinic? (Next City)

 

Mission in motion

Blue bus icon at bus stop with text that reads "clean and just transportation"

Washington needs a Clean and Just transportation system now!

Our current transportation system is not working. We are a third way through legislative session, and TCC and partners are working hard to pass a Clean and Just transportation package that prioritizes health, safety, climate, and equity like never before. Let’s build a transportation system that works for everyone.

Text "A just transportation system will benefit everyone"

We are organizing and advocating virtually this year, which means more opportunities for you to get involved. Please sign up for our action alerts, read our Dispatch from Olympia blog series, and follow us on social media for the latest updates. We’ll also be tracking priority transportation bills on our bill tracker.

 
 

Staff pick

 
Image of Communications Manager Keiko Budech

Alex Hudson
Executive Director

 
 
Green text on black background "MTA Radio Plays"

Whether it’s old radio dramas, the familiar background noise of NPR on the kitchen radio, or podcasts in my headphones, I’ve been a lifelong lover of the radio. These days, the sound of other voices and stories is a real comfort. So when I heard about the MTA Radio Plays I signed up right away.

MTA Radio Plays is a 6-part series of audio dramas released by Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in NYC created to honor and celebrate the people that keep New York City running, and the transit agency that makes it all possible. Conceived and curated by playwright Ren Dara Santiago, and features the work and experiences of 17 playwrights and follows New Yorkers as they ride the 2 Train from the Bronx, through Manhattan, to Brooklyn. The stories are rich and vibrant, and the familiar sounds of the subway system feel like a hug from an old friend.

This is a ticketed event, with a sliding scale, and features adult thoughts and language.

 

Meme in motion

Video about adding traffic lanes doesn't solve congestion.

“Right now, transportation is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, and that is largely driven by single-occupancy car use. Most US cities revolve around the car, and because of that, it’s difficult to retrofit another system oriented around transit or walking. But there are some policies that could get more people off the highways in the short and long term.”

 

Thanks to all our donors and partners. You are part of the collective power that will keep transit moving. If you want to support our work, please consider staying engaged or by making a gift

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