Transportation


  • A man rides a bike along a street lined with more rental bikes.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    The best large US cities for biking in 2026: PeopleForBikes

    The scores measure how well bike riders can connect to jobs, schools, healthcare, shopping, recreation and other destinations.

    By • Nov. 13, 2026
  • Two people in the foreground under an overhang alongside a line of cars.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    DOJ sues Lyft for alleged discrimination against passengers with wheelchairs, guide dogs

    “Lyft denies service to hundreds, and likely thousands,” of people with disabilities, the government’s lawsuit alleges.

    By • Nov. 12, 2026
  • Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

    From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff
  • A transit bus seen from behind on a four-lane street amid buildings.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
    Image attribution tooltip

    New public transit, safer streets advocacy group aims to bring ‘national political firepower’

    The Center for American Mobility and a sister research and education fund aim to support transportation issues and empower local advocates, its CEO said.

    By • Nov. 11, 2026
  • A white airplane with 6 propellers flies over water with a red bridge in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Archer Aviation
    Image attribution tooltip

    Commercial air taxi flights planned for these 5 US regions

    Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies and Joby Aviation are preparing for passenger operations with test flights in New York City, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Florida and Texas.

    By • Nov. 10, 2026
  • A white bus along a curb in front of a red stone building,
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
    Image attribution tooltip

    Northern Illinois Transit Authority proposes first budget, capital spending plan

    With new state funding, the Chicago-area agency will focus on “frequent and reliable service, strong infrastructure and a system where people feel safe,” its acting president said.

    By • Nov. 9, 2026
  • A white car with sensors on the roof along a busy street.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Heather Diehl via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Uber to have 700 robotaxis by year’s end

    The ride-hailing company plans to begin robotaxi service in San Francisco and Houston early next year. “We have relationships with the cities. We have operations in those markets,” its CEO said.

    By • Nov. 6, 2026
  • A person hold a bike at a rack of blue bikes on a sidewalk with people walking nearby.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
    Image attribution tooltip

    The best US cities for bike, pedestrian travel: Streetlight Data

    The report analyzed bicycle and pedestrian miles traveled in 100 U.S. cities. It found that walking accounted for seven times more miles annually than biking.

    By • Nov. 4, 2026
  • A construction worker stands in a cherry picker high above a worksite, where a long concrete viaduct is visible.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
    Image attribution tooltip

    California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO steps down

    CEO Ian Choudri's departure becomes another challenge for the California High-Speed Rail Authority amid uncertain funding and a new governor set to take office next year.

    By • Nov. 2, 2026
  • An Amtrak locomotive pulling a train on a bridge.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
    Image attribution tooltip

    $130M FRA grant will upgrade Springfield, Massachusetts, train station

    The funds will help advance plans for future east-west passenger train service between Boston and Albany, New York.

    By • Oct. 29, 2026
  • A flame atop the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at night.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Luke Hales via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    World Cup’s lessons will help cities, transit agencies with the 2028 Olympics

    Transportation investments for mega-events can create “sustainable change in cities,” a consultant said.

    By • Oct. 28, 2026
  • Airplane flies over tall buildings.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Beta Technologies
    Image attribution tooltip

    FAA issues first eVTOL passenger-carrying flight authorization

    Piloted Beta Technologies air taxi flights may carry potential buyers to plan how the air taxi might fit into their business, the company's CEO said.

    By • Oct. 27, 2026
  • People standing in line in front of a building with a banner that reads Early Voting Entrance.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Jeff Dean via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Voters approve $27.4B in local ballot measures to fund public transit

    “Voters across the country are choosing public transit,” the American Public Transportation Association CEO said, citing an 85% win rate including earlier measures.

    By • Updated Nov. 5, 2026
  • Many people getting on and of a transit bus labeled Metro.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of LA Metro
    Image attribution tooltip

    LA Metro breaks ground on 12-mile bus rapid transit corridor

    The project will upgrade 26 bus stations along the route and connect with multiple rail lines and other bus routes.

    By • Oct. 23, 2026
  • Cars at an intersection with a gas price sign on the corner.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Local impacts of high transportation costs

    Inflation hits commuters, drivers and fliers, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data. The impacts can change residents' travel, dining and shopping plans.

    By • Oct. 22, 2026
  • Cars parked closely together at a curb with buildings behind.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Good luck finding parking in these big US cities: Inrix report

    Drivers in downtown areas must choose between searching for on-street parking or paying high fees at public parking lots and garages, the transportation analytics company found.

    By • Oct. 21, 2026
  • A person on stage viewed from the audience.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    AI, battery-powered trains, transit funding among the highlights of APTA Transform 2026

    Mayors, transit leaders and other industry participants showcased new strategies and products at the Chicago conference as the U.S. faces a challenging public transit environment.

    By • Oct. 19, 2026
  • An Amtrak train stopped by a train station with parked cars.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Erich Fabricius is licensed under CC BY 3.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    North Carolina passenger rail line to get $550M from US DOT

    The project will relieve train congestion and allow North Carolina and Virginia to schedule more frequent passenger trains, according to the North Carolina transportation department.

    By • Oct. 16, 2026
  • A man speaking at a podium
    Image attribution tooltip
    Nic Antaya via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    DOT proposal tying grants to birth, marriage rates could disrupt projects, senator says

    The change could affect transit project funding and trigger new reviews and requirements. Sen. Patty Murray called it "bizarre and dystopian."

    By Zachary Phillips • Oct. 15, 2026
  • Several people walking and standing near a display of transit buses.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    AI, rider communications and accessibility innovations showcased at Chicago APTA Expo

    One rail car company plans to launch an innovation hub in the U.S., it announced at the event.

    By • Updated Oct. 19, 2026
  • People standing in a train car.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Battery-powered trains coming to Chicago: a first look

    Commuter rail systems like Chicago's Metra are exploring battery-electric trains to increase service while reducing diesel exhaust pollution and noise.

    By • Oct. 14, 2026
  • Four people at a desk with microphones and a person standing at a podium.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    3 transit leaders explain how they fund major projects

    Chicago, New York and Seattle transit leaders outlined their solutions to revenue shortfalls, legal challenges and inflationary pressures at an American Public Transportation Association conference.

    By • Oct. 13, 2026
  • Five people seated on a stage.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    3 Sun Belt mayors seek more public transportation as their cities grow

    Voters who once turned down funding for public transportation now see the need as their cities' populations grow and residents gravitate to downtowns, panelists at an American Public Transportation Association conference said.

    By • Oct. 12, 2026
  • A dark gray bus on a gray background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of ABC Companies/Cor
    Image attribution tooltip

    2 bus companies plan to enter US transit market by 2028

    ABC Cos. is launching a new line of transit buses, while VinFast will bring its Vietnamese-made electric buses here via a new partnership.

    By • Oct. 9, 2026
  • A large group of people stand around one person at a podium.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Robyn Griggs Lawrence/Smart Cities Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Plan now for 2027’s top smart city conferences and events

    Technology, transportation, housing, climate, finance and more are on the agenda for local government leaders at these upcoming gatherings.

    By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Oct. 6, 2026
  • A winged white aircraft flies closely above a sea with tree-lined coast behind.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Regent Craft
    Image attribution tooltip

    Seaglider electric plane-boat hybrid takes flight in first public demo

    More than 600 guests watched the prototype vessel rise 30 feet above Narragansett Bay off Rhode Island.

    By • Oct. 1, 2026