Jackson Moore-Otto
@jmooreotto.bsky.social
Transpo policy @publicenterprise.bsky.social , also fighting for abundant housing + transit in MA. Anti-cynicism.
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
Conventional mainline rail projects don't have to take decades?? 🤯
Caltrain Baby Bullet project timeline
- 1998 planning study
- 1999 implementation plan
- 2000 SB2003 appropriating $127m folded into budget signed in June
- 2002 construction starts with a 2 year schedule requiring weekend service closure
- 2004 construction complete on schedule and service starts
- 1998 planning study
- 1999 implementation plan
- 2000 SB2003 appropriating $127m folded into budget signed in June
- 2002 construction starts with a 2 year schedule requiring weekend service closure
- 2004 construction complete on schedule and service starts
February 16, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Conventional mainline rail projects don't have to take decades?? 🤯
credit where credit is due!! rare and admirable
Just heard from the fired BLS chief who has assured me the numbers are fine unless and until the career professionals call it out. So I’ll be following them for info I can trust. I’ve deleted my OP. And thanks for amplifying so she could jump in.
February 11, 2026 at 5:19 PM
credit where credit is due!! rare and admirable
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
I am struggling to think of any country this describes that doesn’t *also* let homeless people die on the street.
I've been to some countries where people live under military rule or autocracy. And without fail, one of the questions I get when they ask about life in the U.S. is whether it's true that Americans just let homeless people die on the street.
During freezing temperatures in Port Arthur, Texas, a 61-year-old homeless man was found dead in his wheelchair outside a convenience store.
He was wearing a hospital gown and no shoes. Authorities say he had been released from a hospital the previous day.
This is a diseased society.
He was wearing a hospital gown and no shoes. Authorities say he had been released from a hospital the previous day.
This is a diseased society.
February 9, 2026 at 7:17 PM
I am struggling to think of any country this describes that doesn’t *also* let homeless people die on the street.
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
The way to increase construction productivity is to have a long pipeline of small, repetitive projects where crews become efficient by constructing the same building over and over and over. This requires by-right approval and small scopes. The canonical example: Houston townhouses.
February 4, 2026 at 10:35 PM
The way to increase construction productivity is to have a long pipeline of small, repetitive projects where crews become efficient by constructing the same building over and over and over. This requires by-right approval and small scopes. The canonical example: Houston townhouses.
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
"We don’t face some kind of formidable foe of the sort Lincoln imagined. We have been unable to defeat the designs of a second-rate demagogue and grifter, aided by third-rate bigots and authoritarians, and surrounded by fourth-rate opportunists and conspiracists." open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
10 Years of Trump, and the Alarm Keeps Going Off
Every day of the past decade has felt like Groundhog Day.
open.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:15 PM
"We don’t face some kind of formidable foe of the sort Lincoln imagined. We have been unable to defeat the designs of a second-rate demagogue and grifter, aided by third-rate bigots and authoritarians, and surrounded by fourth-rate opportunists and conspiracists." open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
It was a pleasure to speak with @bentongraham.bsky.social about passenger rail in the US.
We discussed what makes the Northeast Corridor so (relatively) successful, what can be accomplished on other publicly-owned rail lines, and, of course, what’s going on with CAHSR.
We discussed what makes the Northeast Corridor so (relatively) successful, what can be accomplished on other publicly-owned rail lines, and, of course, what’s going on with CAHSR.
January 2026: An interview with Ben Schneider
QOTM: “I think you can find optimism in any moment if you look hard enough.”
substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:28 PM
It was a pleasure to speak with @bentongraham.bsky.social about passenger rail in the US.
We discussed what makes the Northeast Corridor so (relatively) successful, what can be accomplished on other publicly-owned rail lines, and, of course, what’s going on with CAHSR.
We discussed what makes the Northeast Corridor so (relatively) successful, what can be accomplished on other publicly-owned rail lines, and, of course, what’s going on with CAHSR.
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
Helsinki is reviving its automation program. No cost figure on that yet, but the CBTC signaling is budgeted at 60 million € for a 43 km long system. www.railwaygazette.com/metro/helsin...
Helsinki metro CBTC and 5G communications contracts awarded as automation ambitions revived
FINLAND: Contracts have been awarded for the replacement of the Helsinki metro's signalling and communications systems as part of a programme to increase the level of automation, improve reliability a...
www.railwaygazette.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Helsinki is reviving its automation program. No cost figure on that yet, but the CBTC signaling is budgeted at 60 million € for a 43 km long system. www.railwaygazette.com/metro/helsin...
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
The same circumstances are true when it comes to metro systems.
China opened more metro lines in 2025 alone than exist in the entire countries of Russia, UK, or France. Over the past 4 years, China built 2.5x as much metro lines as the US has in total.
China opened more metro lines in 2025 alone than exist in the entire countries of Russia, UK, or France. Over the past 4 years, China built 2.5x as much metro lines as the US has in total.
January 28, 2026 at 6:25 PM
The same circumstances are true when it comes to metro systems.
China opened more metro lines in 2025 alone than exist in the entire countries of Russia, UK, or France. Over the past 4 years, China built 2.5x as much metro lines as the US has in total.
China opened more metro lines in 2025 alone than exist in the entire countries of Russia, UK, or France. Over the past 4 years, China built 2.5x as much metro lines as the US has in total.
$10 flat fee for all deliveries
January 28, 2026 at 3:14 AM
$10 flat fee for all deliveries
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
"'The future of rail in Bayern is electric" A few years ago Germany led the world on hydrogen train deployment - now they are pivoting to overhead electrification and batteries after H2 trains proved to be a dud. Will CA do the same? www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructu...
‘The future of rail in Bayern is electric’ says minister
GERMANY: Bayern's Ministry of Housing, Building & Transport has commissioned rail infrastructure manager DB InfraGO to produce plans for the elimination of diesel train operations in the north of ...
www.railwaygazette.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:33 PM
"'The future of rail in Bayern is electric" A few years ago Germany led the world on hydrogen train deployment - now they are pivoting to overhead electrification and batteries after H2 trains proved to be a dud. Will CA do the same? www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructu...
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
A good corollary to the Transportation for America's piece on moonshot transit investment from 2 weeks ago is Eno's piece from today on predictability in passenger rail investment.
enotrans.org/wp-content/u...
enotrans.org/wp-content/u...
January 27, 2026 at 8:34 PM
A good corollary to the Transportation for America's piece on moonshot transit investment from 2 weeks ago is Eno's piece from today on predictability in passenger rail investment.
enotrans.org/wp-content/u...
enotrans.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
"The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they’re the ones who are alone."
Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 27, 2026 at 1:11 PM
"The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they’re the ones who are alone."
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
Will America build transit using the latest design best practices, like automation, electrification and through-running service?
Or will it continue to build slow, at-grade light rail lines; infrequent diesel commuter trains; and short, impossibly expensive heavy rail subway extensions?
Or will it continue to build slow, at-grade light rail lines; infrequent diesel commuter trains; and short, impossibly expensive heavy rail subway extensions?
What should America’s transit ‘moonshot’ look like?
The nation doesn’t just need more transit. It needs to build faster, more advanced transit in the places with the highest ridership potential.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Will America build transit using the latest design best practices, like automation, electrification and through-running service?
Or will it continue to build slow, at-grade light rail lines; infrequent diesel commuter trains; and short, impossibly expensive heavy rail subway extensions?
Or will it continue to build slow, at-grade light rail lines; infrequent diesel commuter trains; and short, impossibly expensive heavy rail subway extensions?
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
The IRA launched a manufacturing renaissance, Trump is working hard to cancel it.
January 25, 2026 at 2:31 AM
The IRA launched a manufacturing renaissance, Trump is working hard to cancel it.
vc next to me at the cafe "that's a great insight, and I see the same thing with the robotic tennis business we've had for five years"
January 23, 2026 at 4:01 PM
vc next to me at the cafe "that's a great insight, and I see the same thing with the robotic tennis business we've had for five years"
See also: Moulton v. Markey
Spanberger and Mamdani really proving that the spectrum of Democratic competence isn’t “centrist/progressive,” but “awake/asleep.” Different ideological backgrounds, but both willing to come into office and do what has to be done, in a way Biden pointedly did not. More of this, please.
Spanberger dismissing Youngkin's education appointees was an important move. It will require actions that look partisan and political to restore nonpartisanship, competency and merit to government. (MAGA must be purged.) newrepublic.com/article/2054...
January 23, 2026 at 12:26 AM
See also: Moulton v. Markey
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
A surefire way to make transportation more abundant and affordable?
Increase density.
In Bloomberg, I explained why. 🧵
Increase density.
In Bloomberg, I explained why. 🧵
Achieving ‘Transportation Abundance’ Is All About Density
To drive down transportation costs and move the needle on affordability, Americans need to embrace living closer together.
www.bloomberg.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:17 PM
A surefire way to make transportation more abundant and affordable?
Increase density.
In Bloomberg, I explained why. 🧵
Increase density.
In Bloomberg, I explained why. 🧵
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
Lipkin says prioritizing full, programmatic funding can unlock other process reforms and risk management. "Other counties’ parliaments debate whether they can fund a full HSR segment. They don’t partially fund a single segment."
See also: calelectricrail.org/against-patc... 12/
See also: calelectricrail.org/against-patc... 12/
Against Patchwork Funding: How Multi-year Investment Frameworks Can Deliver Rail Faster and Cheaper – Californians for Electric Rail
calelectricrail.org
January 22, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Lipkin says prioritizing full, programmatic funding can unlock other process reforms and risk management. "Other counties’ parliaments debate whether they can fund a full HSR segment. They don’t partially fund a single segment."
See also: calelectricrail.org/against-patc... 12/
See also: calelectricrail.org/against-patc... 12/
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
"Sen. Catherine Blakespear, who represents coastal North County, said... that California needs to employ more professional rail experts to reduce its reliance on consultants." #JustTransitionForCaltrans
Missed Monday's webinar? Check out the coverage here on KPBS!
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Missed Monday's webinar? Check out the coverage here on KPBS!
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Rail advocates renew push for electric trains from San Diego to Los Angeles
Electric trains offer faster, quieter and cleaner service compared to diesel locomotives. But California's rail corridors continue to suffer from inaction.
www.kpbs.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:20 PM
"Sen. Catherine Blakespear, who represents coastal North County, said... that California needs to employ more professional rail experts to reduce its reliance on consultants." #JustTransitionForCaltrans
Missed Monday's webinar? Check out the coverage here on KPBS!
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Missed Monday's webinar? Check out the coverage here on KPBS!
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
Don’t Back Down, Europe
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
Don’t Back Down, Europe
Trump’s tariff threats against allies should be the last straw.
open.substack.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Don’t Back Down, Europe
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
HARDHAT HOCHUL: Guv’s transit ambitions could put MTA on track for biggest expansion in decades
“She’s building a transit legacy for herself.”
NEW Sunday read in @thecity.nyc
www.thecity.nyc/2026/01/18/t...
“She’s building a transit legacy for herself.”
NEW Sunday read in @thecity.nyc
www.thecity.nyc/2026/01/18/t...
With Multiple Train Megaprojects Ahead, Hochul Builds Her ‘Transit Legacy’
The governor has hopes of planning and potentially building multiple transit-system extensions at once.
www.thecity.nyc
January 18, 2026 at 7:41 PM
HARDHAT HOCHUL: Guv’s transit ambitions could put MTA on track for biggest expansion in decades
“She’s building a transit legacy for herself.”
NEW Sunday read in @thecity.nyc
www.thecity.nyc/2026/01/18/t...
“She’s building a transit legacy for herself.”
NEW Sunday read in @thecity.nyc
www.thecity.nyc/2026/01/18/t...
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
I really wish we would do something like this again, except instead of prefabrication, focusing on experimenting with concepts not currently in the building codes or applying building codes used in other parts of the world with support from int’l peers and a review committee.
January 18, 2026 at 5:40 AM
I really wish we would do something like this again, except instead of prefabrication, focusing on experimenting with concepts not currently in the building codes or applying building codes used in other parts of the world with support from int’l peers and a review committee.
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
BUBBLE OR NOTHING NEWS:
Not only is there a securities fraud case against Oracle for its massive AI capex, but it's being led by a *pension fund* which is clearly quite exposed to AI debt from one of the more, uh, overleveraged builders.
Not only is there a securities fraud case against Oracle for its massive AI capex, but it's being led by a *pension fund* which is clearly quite exposed to AI debt from one of the more, uh, overleveraged builders.
January 16, 2026 at 10:46 PM
BUBBLE OR NOTHING NEWS:
Not only is there a securities fraud case against Oracle for its massive AI capex, but it's being led by a *pension fund* which is clearly quite exposed to AI debt from one of the more, uh, overleveraged builders.
Not only is there a securities fraud case against Oracle for its massive AI capex, but it's being led by a *pension fund* which is clearly quite exposed to AI debt from one of the more, uh, overleveraged builders.
Reposted by Jackson Moore-Otto
Every additional capital source adds $5-10k in additional costs per unit and delays project start and completion.
Policymakers need to internalize this and start acting like they’re investing public equity in projects rather than chipping in for a pizza.
Policymakers need to internalize this and start acting like they’re investing public equity in projects rather than chipping in for a pizza.
January 16, 2026 at 3:49 AM
Every additional capital source adds $5-10k in additional costs per unit and delays project start and completion.
Policymakers need to internalize this and start acting like they’re investing public equity in projects rather than chipping in for a pizza.
Policymakers need to internalize this and start acting like they’re investing public equity in projects rather than chipping in for a pizza.
Great to see RRIF and TIFIA reforms moving forward. Next step: doing for transit what this does for TOD. Electrification + automation stand out as good candidates for capital, not grants.
Great news on meaningful RRIF/TIFIA for TOD streamlining+strengthening (🧵)
NEWS: Senators Blunt Rochester and Curtis Introduce Bill to Spur Housing Construction Near Transportation Hubs
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and John Curtis (R-Utah), both members of the Senate Committees on Environment and Public Works and Commerce, Science, and Transportation, ...
www.bluntrochester.senate.gov
January 15, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Great to see RRIF and TIFIA reforms moving forward. Next step: doing for transit what this does for TOD. Electrification + automation stand out as good candidates for capital, not grants.