Dan Zukowski

Transit agencies, bus companies take on human trafficking Training frontline workers and educating passengers about how to spot trafficking may increase “the possibility of saving the victim,” a transit leader said.

I reported on how trains and buses are used for human trafficking in the U.S. and what they’re doing about it. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/human-t...

US DOT looks to limit traffic safety camera funding Automated red-light and speed enforcement cameras will no longer be eligible for certain federal grants except in school or work zones.

The US DOT won't provide SS4A grants for automated traffic enforcement cameras. Safety advocates disagree: “Red light and speed cameras are proven to reduce crashes," @autosafety.org's Michael Brooks said.

Surface transportation bill will shape the U.S. transportation outlook Preserving public transit funding, increasing safety and issues of local and state control are among stakeholder priorities. Can lawmakers forge a bipartisan path forward?

Congress is working on the next multiyear surface transportation legislation, but many questions remain and decisions must be made. I'll be reporting on this throughout the year, starting with today's in-depth outlook on funding, priorities and politics. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/congres...

Hudson Tunnel construction may stop as Trump withholds funding Nearly 1,000 workers will lose their jobs on Feb. 6 if the $16 billion project in New York and New Jersey is put on hold, the project authority said.

Work on the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel project could stop Feb. 6 if the Trump administration doesn’t release approved funds. Failure to complete it will create economic reverberations well beyond the New York area. Read my reporting in Smart Cities Dive. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/hudson-...

Limits on city, state authority over AVs proposed in new federal bill “Significant progress” has been made on the draft, its sponsor said, but safety advocates expressed concern at a recent hearing.

Bipartisan draft legislation for AVs and robotaxis may have a chance at passage this year, after many years of trying by co-sponsors, Reps. Bob Latta of Ohio and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan. I covered a recent House hearing; here's what I learned.
www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/av-fede...

Robotaxis: The latest developments Uber and Lyft CEOs outlined their visions for mixed robotaxi and human-driven vehicle fleets.

If robotaxis aren't in your city yet, they soon will be. Waymo, Zoox, Tesla and others are in land-grab mode to stake out their territories, while Uber and Lyft plan to operate blended fleets of AVs and human-driven vehicles. Follow the action here: www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/robotax...

Voters approve $11.7B in local ballot measures to fund public transit “Transit is winning,” said an American Public Transportation Association executive, citing an 81% win rate among 16 measures in seven states.

The votes have been counted and 13 of the 16 transit-related measures on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot across the nation passed. See our update at Smart Cities Dive, with thanks to the American Public Transportation Association for the data. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/local-t...

Boston downtown bus terminal expansion opens With a 60% increase in bus docks and better connections with the train station, the South Station bus terminal will enable growth for the bus carriers, its general manager said.

I had the privilege of seeing the new South Station bus terminal concourse in Boston yesterday. It adds more bus docks and better access to the train station, with more amenities to come. This project preps Boston for more and better intercity bus service.

www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/boston-...

Robotaxis: The latest developments Uber announced plans to develop and manufacture 100,000 robotaxis in partnership with leading technology companies.

Ever since Elon Musk announced his intention to build and operate robotaxis in cities across the U.S., there seems to be a land-grab going on among the incumbents: Waymo, Uber, Zoox, etc. To keep up, Smart Cities Dive developed a tracker that launched today. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/robotax...

California high-speed rail CEO has a plan to get the project back on track A construction engineer by trade, Ian Choudri hired a new team, reworked the project plan and says it’s time to “build more and go forward.”

Ian Choudri came on board last year as CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority to sort out the project's many problems. I spoke at length with him last week. Here's what he said. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/califor...

How interesting that the US and Canada are battling tonight, in the World Series. As much as I like our Canadian friends and neighbors — go Dodgers!

San Francisco speeding declines at locations with automated cameras Six months into the city’s speed camera program, drivers are operating below the speed limit at 15 measured sites.

Automated speed safety cameras appear to be proving their worth in San Francisco, where speeding declined by an average of 72% at 15 sites where before-and-after data were available after six months, said @sfmta.bsky.social. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/san-fra...

Detroit to build new multimodal transportation hub The proposed intercity bus and Amtrak station next to the restored Michigan Central Station “will grow our regional economy,” said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

More good news for Amtrak and intercity buses: #Detroit will build an intermodal station serving both, allowing travelers to connect easily from one to the other. I reported on plans to build a new multimodal facility adjacent to Michigan Central Station. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/detroit...

How Southwest DC helped residents and visitors get around the neighborhood Businesses and the Washington, D.C., government formed a Mobility Innovation District to launch a pilot shuttle service.

Thanks to Zach Baldwin for telling me the story of how the DC Mobility Innovation District worked with Circuit to improve transportation in the Southwest DC district. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/southwe...

Chicago transit agencies propose fare hikes, restate 2026 budgets Hope now rides with the Illinois General Assembly to provide state funding that could prevent rail and bus service cuts.

It's up to the Illinois Assembly, meeting in their fall session, to provide state funding for @rtachicago.bsky.social to avoid a hiring freeze, service cuts and fare increases in 2026. Read more in my reporting today for Smart Cities Dive. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/chicago...

Kudos to the media outlets that refused to give up their First Amendment rights. These outlets include some of the most respectable news organizations in the world, are reflect publications that lean both right and left.

Transit measures are on the November ballot in these local elections Voters in four states are being asked to approve taxes to support roads and public transit and form a new transportation authority.

Election Day 2025: Voters in four states are being asked to approve taxes to support roads and public transit and form a new transportation authority in ballot measures this November. Here's our roundup.
www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/local-t...

Nice weather for the beer festival!

Centre Pompidou, the modern art museum in Paris, is closed for five years for a total renovation. Its industrial architecture draws much debate, but I am a fan. I remember a relaxing lunch at the Restaurant Georges on the roof. I'll have to mark my calendar for 2030 for the reopening.

More federal funding, public outreach among US transit leaders’ priorities The American Public Transportation Association is calling for nearly $30 billion more for public transit and $28 billion more for passenger rail in the next surface transportation authorization.

One of the best things about APTA's annual TransForm conference is hearing from transit leaders in formal sessions or random chats about what's top of mind for them. Here's what I heard in the Monday morning opening.

www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/public-...

FTA administrator pledges partnership with transit authorities on safety, efficiency, accessibility Federal Transit Administrator Marcus Molinaro promised to reduce regulatory burdens and accelerate project delivery while urging transit agencies to address crime and operate efficiently.

I'm back from the APTA conference, held in Boston this year. Always interested in hearing from transit and government leaders. This year, new FTA head Marcus Molinaro laid out the agency's priorities. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/fta-mol...

13 state governors join coalition to promote EVs The Affordable Clean Cars Coalition said it will push back against the Trump administration's policies of “putting polluters over people.”

13 state governors have joined the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition to promote more affordable electric vehicles, support U.S. automotive manufacturers and preserve states’ authority under the Clean Air Act. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/state-g...

US high-speed rail projects: The latest news California legislation to speed up high-speed rail construction failed to advance last week. Keep up on all the latest news in this tracker.

The latest on the California high-speed rail project: A California legislative proposal to allow the California High-Speed Rail Authority to expedite permitting and relocate highways and utilities died in the state Senate last week. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/track-h...

Philadelphia judge temporarily halts SEPTA cuts and fare hikes The ruling relates to a lawsuit filed last week alleging the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s actions would disproportionately harm disadvantaged riders.

Catching on the news about SEPTA: A judge on Friday ordered the transit agency to pause service reductions and fare increases that were due to go into effect beginning Monday. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/philade...

US high-speed rail projects: The latest news Under pressure from the federal and state governments, the authority aims to leverage existing rail lines to reduce costs.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has a plan to keep going, even as the US DOT cuts funding. Can it work?

How Hurricane Katrina killed Amtrak’s transcontinental train Amtrak restored train service from LA to New Orleans, but passenger trains east to Mobile, Alabama, only restarted last week.

@amtrak.com launched a new service from New Orleans to Mobile, Ala. along a line once traveled by the nation's only transcontinental train, the Sunset Limited. That train hasn't run east of NOLA since Hurricane Katrina. Read why in my piece today for Smart Cities Dive.

Philadelphia-area 20% transit cuts go into effect With the Pennsylvania state Legislature unable to agree on funding for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the agency began cutting service and increasing fares today.

With the Pennsylvania state Legislature unable to agree on funding for SEPTA, commuters in the Philadelphia area faced a 20% cut in service Monday morning. More cuts and a 21.5% fare hike are coming soon. Read more of my reporting for Smart Cities Dive. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/philade...

Are intercity buses having a Cinderella moment? Ridership is on an upswing, and several cities are opening new or refurbished intermodal terminals. Here’s what you’ll find in eight major cities.

Intercity buses might be called the neglected child of our transportation modes in the US. But ridership is on the upswing and cities are getting on board by building, expanding or renovating big, comfortable bus terminals. I spoke with industry leaders and here's what I found. bit.ly/4lDc2Mq

Waymo readies its robotaxis for winter weather The company has tested its autonomous ride-hailing vehicles in Boston, New York City and Philadelphia. Can they handle snow, ice and winter storms?

I wanted to know how Waymo robotaxis might handle harsh winter conditions. I spoke with them and independent experts who explained the challenges of safe operation in harsh winter weather. Read what I learned in my reporting for Smart Cities Dive. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/waymo-r...

Tariffs make transit buses more expensive North American bus manufacturer New Flyer reported strong demand for transit buses and a shift away from zero-emission vehicles in its second-quarter earnings call.

The buses your transit agency buys are getting more expensive, thanks to Trump's tariffs. They are being passed along to customers on both current and future contracts, said a major bus manufacturer. Read more from my reporting for Smart Cities Dive.

www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/trump-t...