NYC Mobility Report: Transit Ridership Drops While Population Grows

A new report from the New York City Department of Transportation opens the administrations of Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio to criticism from Streetsblog NYC.

1 minute read

June 17, 2018, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Entry turnstiles to the New York New Jersey PATH Tubes in Hoboken

Joe Benning / Shutterstock

Ben Fried reports on the new Mobility Report released by the New York Department of Transportation this week. The report "screams" for the projects and investments called for in the Fast Forward plan, writes Fried.

This is DOT’s first Mobility Report release since 2016, and the big picture is more alarming than it was two years ago. New York is a growing city where transit ridership is shrinking, and streets are choking on car traffic. Despite rising population, employment, and tourism, subway and bus ridership both fell in 2017. Meanwhile, propelled by the growth of ride-hailing trips, congestion continues to intensify.

The article includes several representative infographics pulled from the report. Fried also identifies a few rare positive trends, mostly connected to transit ridership on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan after the Second Avenue Subway opened at the beginning of 2017.

Friday, June 15, 2018 in StreetsBlog NYC

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

White three-story brick single-room occupancy hotel in downtown Los Angeles, California.

‘Micro-Apartment’ Trend Underscores Housing Crisis

SROs are making a comeback under a new name as the housing supply remains strained and costs soar.

March 22, 2024 - Associated Press via Yahoo News

Red public transit bus in Bangalore, India.

Indian States Give Women Free Bus Passes

The programs are part of an initiative aimed at helping more women join the workforce and improving access to basic needs.

7 minutes ago - Next City

Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota skylinw with stone arched brige in foreground.

Study: How to Revitalize Downtown Minneapolis

A proposal calls for a reevaluation of the city’s skyways, a focus on street-facing businesses, and an improved public realm.

1 hour ago - Minneapolis Post

Aerial view of Milwaukee, Wisconsin skyline with freeway interchanges in foreground at night.

Milwaukee Residents Challenge Freeway Expansion

Residents are voicing opposition to a planned expansion of Interstate 94, arguing that the project would eliminate the limited green space in the neighborhood.

2 hours ago - Spectrum News 1

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.