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kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers)
@kateontransport.bsky.social
6.2K followers 2.5K following 610 posts

Mobility justice/transportation equity/urban planning and policy. Chicago!!! Proud union member (UIC United Faculty). Day job @ @uiccuppa.bsky.social

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kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · Apr 7
Appreciate insightful coverage @keawilson.bsky.social @usa.streetsblog.org on our collaboration (@annalivia.bsky.social & Frechette) on walkability & inherent problems of Walk Score as tied to inequitable, racialized investment flows fueling destination proximity usa.streetsblog.org/2025/04/07/i...
Is 'Walk Score' Really Just a 'White Score'? — Streetsblog USA
A new paper argues that the popular real estate tools is driving investment to predominantly white urban neighborhoods, without expanding walkability for anyone else.
usa.streetsblog.org

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 4h
As much as I think AI is harmful for a variety of reasons, I don't really expect public transit agencies to turn down their money (meanwhile some universities are eager to give ai firms money)

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 5h
If only all the ai venture capital went into collective, sustainable goods...

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 5h
Creepy ai "friend" necklace advertising heavy UIC stop of @chicagocta.bsky.social Blue Line (nice frequency btw). At least some of the venture capital money is going to public transit???

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 1d
Love this! And no, millionaires didn't move...
kennyuong.bsky.social Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · 1d
Funds generated by Massachusetts' Fair Share Amendment (aka the millionaire’s tax) help regional transit agencies expand service! You love to see it!! 👏🏾🚌

Response from Jim Nee, Administrator & Executive Director of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (@mwrta.bsky.social)
"Very True! At @MWRTA the new operating funds have allowed us to expand service by 30% (nights, Sundays, and more frequency on weekdays). The grants included in annual funding bills have supported the expansion of MicroTransit, and allowed us to launch the 495 Connector."

Reposted by Kate Lowe

kennyuong.bsky.social
Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · 1d
Funds generated by Massachusetts' Fair Share Amendment (aka the millionaire’s tax) help regional transit agencies expand service! You love to see it!! 👏🏾🚌

Response from Jim Nee, Administrator & Executive Director of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (@mwrta.bsky.social)
"Very True! At @MWRTA the new operating funds have allowed us to expand service by 30% (nights, Sundays, and more frequency on weekdays). The grants included in annual funding bills have supported the expansion of MicroTransit, and allowed us to launch the 495 Connector."

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 9d
Another reminder that it's expensive to be low-income/not a home-owner: $4.50 was the cheapest washer I could find at my closest laundromat. Amazingly more convenient when my washer isn't down, but also a big cost saver.

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 12d
This is what leadership looks like! @uofilsystem.bsky.social

Reposted by Kate Lowe

cbgoodman.co
Chris Goodman @cbgoodman.co · 12d
Meanwhile, my President and Provost are out there saying they refuse to compromise on our institutional goals for diversity and equity.
Lisa Freeman reiterates commitment to NIU goals at University Council
DeKALB – NIU President Lisa Freeman reaffirmed NIU’s core goals for 2026 before University Council on Wednesday. Freeman, as she did for Faculty Senate last Wednesday, reiterated NIU’s 2026 goals, exp...
northernstar.info

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 12d
At faculty senate, our chancellor implied DEI hiring & promotion changes were unavoidable U of I mandate . I'm cynical. It seems many administrators won't risk their jobs for critical principles (her "don't let the words get in the way of the work" can be true but at other times a smokescreen).

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 12d
Top-down elimination of DEI in hiring & promotion by @uofilsystem.bsky.social make me suspicious regarding UIC announcement: Office of Diversity & Equity will be "renamed and reoriented" to "engagement". Don't want to belabor names, but is unnecessary retreat esp. given @govpritzker.illinois.gov

Reposted by Kate Lowe

davidpowe.bsky.social
David Powe @davidpowe.bsky.social · 15d
PUBLIC MEETING ALERT: Illinois is updating its Statewide Transit Plan, setting a long term vision for how we fund, expand & improve public transportation across the state. Virtual meeting info:

Nov 15 at 10am
Nov 18 at 12pm
Nov 18 at 7pm

Register & PLEASE SHARE: idot.illinois.gov/transportati...
Next Move Illinois
Public transportation is an essential way for people to travel throughout the state of Illinois. Next Move Illinois is a successor to the 2018 Illinois Statewide Public Transportation Plan. The goal o...
idot.illinois.gov

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 18d
Happy @chicagocta.bsky.social is doing engagement to substantially improve bus service on key corridors with Better Streets for Buses. Thrilled with operations & capital funding in the transit bill (thanks to those who made it happen) that can support increased frequency & capital projects!

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 19d
Do love the idea of a city-owned bus terminal! Great idea from @mayorofchicago.bsky.social & team! Don't love that some yucky firms making money from the deal, but that's our real estate/private equity/late capitalism landscape(Conway's critique doesn't feel sincere given whole his whole ethos)
wonkicorn.bsky.social David Zoltan (he/they) @wonkicorn.bsky.social · 19d
Agreed. Having this as a city resource would be ideal. Integration with the rest of the transit system even better.
sorenspicknall.bsky.social Soren Spicknall @sorenspicknall.bsky.social · 19d
IMO this is a really good move if the city can make it happen.

Reposted by Kate Lowe

wonkicorn.bsky.social
David Zoltan (he/they) @wonkicorn.bsky.social · 19d
Agreed. Having this as a city resource would be ideal. Integration with the rest of the transit system even better.

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 19d
When celebrities are seeing the problems of AI...why don't university administrators? Also, a little funny. But not funny when labor (@aft.org) is partnering when it should be resisting the very premise.

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 20d
Thrilled about so much in the public transit bill! More $, coordination, TOD!! Congrats to many! Still concerning loss of electoral leverage for Chi folks. Many groups concentrated in Chi (305,989 carfree households=82% of Cook's carless). & fear Rauner repeat.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/05/t...
Transit reform measure shifts CTA control from Chicago mayor. Lawmaker says that’s an ‘asset.’
As state lawmakers raced to pass a $1.5 billion plan to overhaul regional mass transportation, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office lost control over the CTA board.
www.chicagotribune.com

Reposted by Silvia Secchi, Daniel Huppmann, Paul Fisher , and 3 more

costasamaras.com
Costa Samaras @costasamaras.com · 21d
tired: leaders throw folks under the bus

wired: leaders invite folks on the bus in a dedicated lane

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 21d
Excited for today and watching NYC with hope!
dieworkwear.bsky.social derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · Oct 25
this is what will happen if mamdani makes bus rides free
A cat is seen riding a bus. They are standing up and have their front paws on the back of the front seat.

Reposted by Keith Lilley, Jason Dittmer, Kate Lowe , and 1 more

uvicgeography.bsky.social
UVic Geography @uvicgeography.bsky.social · 21d
The Department of Geography invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Indigenous Geographies, preferably with a focus on Human–Environment Relationships.

Read more 👉 www.uvic.ca/faculty-staf...

Reposted by Michael Schmitt, Brian Kelly, Mark Rice , and 2 more

phineas.bsky.social
Phineas @phineas.bsky.social · 22d
New awareness campaign
A digital poster in the style of a World War II propaganda piece. Isolaed on a yellow background, a normal, squarish, 20-something guy with glasses is sitting working on a laptop. A ghostly figure of Hitler has his arm around the guy and is grinning and shaking a fist triumphantly looking at the laptop screen. On the lid of the laptop where an apple might otherwise be is an openAI logo, bright green, and dripping green ooze down the lid. Text on the poster, in combinations of sans-serif type and brush script reads: Using Generative AI? You’re prompting with Hitler! GenAI is a Fascist Project! Try using your brain instead Don’t surrender your creativity to the tech billionaire’s control

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 24d
Love of Halloween plus burn out. This Logan Square neighbor sees me.
Gravestone decoration that says here lies my motivation

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 25d
Yes! We can support ending exclusionary single family only zoning but that does not mean market rate, supply side emphasis will trickle down and move the needle significantly for those with the lowest income.
tonydamiano.bsky.social Tony Damiano @tonydamiano.bsky.social · 25d
Published my first Op-Ed w/ Professor Ed Goetz on how the national narrative about Minneapolis misses how zoning and market rate housing are necessary but not sufficient to help lower-income renters 🧵 www.startribune.com/twin-cities-...
Opinion | We’re seeing haves and have-nots with Minneapolis rents
While the housing cost burden is easing overall, it’s not the case for lower-income renters, the authors write.
www.startribune.com

Reposted by Kate Lowe

tonydamiano.bsky.social
Tony Damiano @tonydamiano.bsky.social · 25d
Published my first Op-Ed w/ Professor Ed Goetz on how the national narrative about Minneapolis misses how zoning and market rate housing are necessary but not sufficient to help lower-income renters 🧵 www.startribune.com/twin-cities-...
Opinion | We’re seeing haves and have-nots with Minneapolis rents
While the housing cost burden is easing overall, it’s not the case for lower-income renters, the authors write.
www.startribune.com

Reposted by Scott L. Greer, David R. Miller, Julia Lynch , and 8 more

gbrockell.bsky.social
Gillian Brockell @gbrockell.bsky.social · 26d
When I worked in WaPo Opinions in 2017-2018, senior editors specifically told junior editors not to factcheck Marc Thiessen and other MAGA columnists, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to publish anything by them at all, and “we need them for intellectual diversity.”
johncarlbaker.bsky.social John Carl Baker @johncarlbaker.bsky.social · 26d
It’s very telling that opening your publication to MAGA “thought” requires a massive downgrade in quality control.

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 26d
Also interested in things that de-incentivize huge, polluting, dangerous vehicles! However, I think collective services like public transit, libraries & ed are fine to fund with general revenue sources. So, not on the bandwagon that transit needs transportation sources for funding

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 26d
Thanks for sharing here!

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 26d
Great day to start posting! Look forward to the live posting.

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 26d
That's my rep! Glad he's finally posting here.

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 26d
Anyone know of anyone live posting from Springfield on public transit stuff? @capitolfax.bsky.social fax had a tiny snippet earlier this afternoon.
kateontransport.bsky.social Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 26d
Riders & non-riders have a lot at stake with the public transit fiscal cliff ($2.6 billion GDP, congestion, emissions). Riders will face devasting cuts & missed opportunities. An alternative of investment could yield share benefits (riders & non-riders). Two scenarios for @chicagocta.bsky.social