Why the US Sucks at Building Public Transit
“Whether it’s traditional subway and commuter rail systems, modern streetcars and light rails, high-speed intercity rail, or even the humble bus with dedicated lanes and train-like stops, the U.S. lags perilously behind. It is a national embarrassment and a major reason our cities are less pleasant, more expensive places to live.”
‘The Trains Are Slower Because They Slowed the Trains Down’
In 1995, a Manhattan-bound J train crossing the Williamsburg Bridge rear-ended an M train, killing the J train operator and injuring more than fifty passengers. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has run the trains at suboptimal speeds ever since, while publicly blaming the systemwide slowdown on budget cuts and euphemisms for overcrowding. Village Voice transit reporter Aaron Gordon traces how the response to this single accident two decades ago set New York City’s transit system on a path to disaster.
The Sports Startup Being Sued for Nearly $500,000 by Its Former Employees
A sports startup called Sport195 hired workers at a rapid pace despite having no customers, revenue, users, or a clear business plan. When the paychecks stopped coming, its CEO told employees that he had two revenue sources lined up—none of which came to fruition.