Kirk Hovenkotter
@kirkhovenkotter.com
Director of Transportation Choices Coalition | Not short for Kirkleton
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
Want to help #BuildTheDamnTrains? Senate Bill 6148 would give Sound Transit the financial flexibility it needs by allowing it to issue 75-year bonds. The sooner we build light rail projects, the sooner we get working families out of traffic.
Learn more: transportationchoices.org/action-alert...
Learn more: transportationchoices.org/action-alert...
Action Alert: Help Get Light Rail Built Faster!
SB 6148 has a hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee on Monday, January 19th, at 4 PM. Here are two quick ways you can help support this bill.
transportationchoices.org
January 16, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Want to help #BuildTheDamnTrains? Senate Bill 6148 would give Sound Transit the financial flexibility it needs by allowing it to issue 75-year bonds. The sooner we build light rail projects, the sooner we get working families out of traffic.
Learn more: transportationchoices.org/action-alert...
Learn more: transportationchoices.org/action-alert...
‘The only thing more popular than light rail is getting it done sooner.’
Great in-depth piece by @bloomberg.com featuring @transpochoices.bsky.social Build the Damn Trains campaign.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Great in-depth piece by @bloomberg.com featuring @transpochoices.bsky.social Build the Damn Trains campaign.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Seattle Is Building Light Rail Like It’s 1999
Decades ago, the Pacific Northwest city launched a multibillion-dollar transit building boom. Now the new lines and stations are drawing riders — and criticism.
www.bloomberg.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:11 PM
‘The only thing more popular than light rail is getting it done sooner.’
Great in-depth piece by @bloomberg.com featuring @transpochoices.bsky.social Build the Damn Trains campaign.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Great in-depth piece by @bloomberg.com featuring @transpochoices.bsky.social Build the Damn Trains campaign.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
NEW STORY // Katie Wilson Orders Denny Bus Lane to Help Route 8 Riders
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Katie Wilson Orders Denny Bus Lane to Help Route 8 Riders » The Urbanist
# Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson rolled out two executive orders on Thursday morning, seeking to get major initiatives rolling: expanding emergency housing for homeless residents and bus lanes to speed up...
www.theurbanist.org
January 16, 2026 at 12:25 AM
NEW STORY // Katie Wilson Orders Denny Bus Lane to Help Route 8 Riders
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
Excited to announce 2 executive orders at my transition team meeting. My Shelter and Housing Accelerator order will speed efforts to rapidly bring people inside. And my Transit Accelerator order will finally implement a bus lane on Denny. More details on my blog at wilson.seattle.gov #thisisyourcity
January 15, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Excited to announce 2 executive orders at my transition team meeting. My Shelter and Housing Accelerator order will speed efforts to rapidly bring people inside. And my Transit Accelerator order will finally implement a bus lane on Denny. More details on my blog at wilson.seattle.gov #thisisyourcity
Seattle’s long transit nightmare is finally coming to an end. Huge kudos to the advocacy of @fixthel8.bsky.social
The second item: "We're going to be getting out the red paint on Denny Way," Wilson said. "We cannot let one of our highest ridership routes languish in traffic." Bus lane inbound.
January 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Seattle’s long transit nightmare is finally coming to an end. Huge kudos to the advocacy of @fixthel8.bsky.social
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
The second item: "We're going to be getting out the red paint on Denny Way," Wilson said. "We cannot let one of our highest ridership routes languish in traffic." Bus lane inbound.
January 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM
The second item: "We're going to be getting out the red paint on Denny Way," Wilson said. "We cannot let one of our highest ridership routes languish in traffic." Bus lane inbound.
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
BREAKING: A new bill introduced by Sen. Marko Liias would give @sound-transit.bsky.social the financial flexibility it needs to #BuildTheDamnTrains. #waleg
senatedemocrats.wa.gov/liias/2026/0...
senatedemocrats.wa.gov/liias/2026/0...
Liias introduces bill to allow Sound Transit to issue 75-year general obligation bonds - Sen. Marko Liias
Putting People First
senatedemocrats.wa.gov
January 15, 2026 at 1:17 AM
BREAKING: A new bill introduced by Sen. Marko Liias would give @sound-transit.bsky.social the financial flexibility it needs to #BuildTheDamnTrains. #waleg
senatedemocrats.wa.gov/liias/2026/0...
senatedemocrats.wa.gov/liias/2026/0...
Not only is Redmond & Move Redmond lucky to have an inspiring leader like @kellireef.bsky.social, but also an vivid writer who can bring places & moments to life. This piece took me back!
Move Redmond ED, @kellireef.bsky.social reflects back on her first day working w/ Move Redmond & how Redmond has come a long way w/ new transit, biking, & pedestrian investments that have allowed for more flexibility in peoples commutes today. Read more about it! moveredmond.org/aftertheribb...
January 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Not only is Redmond & Move Redmond lucky to have an inspiring leader like @kellireef.bsky.social, but also an vivid writer who can bring places & moments to life. This piece took me back!
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
Major light rail news: simulated service on the 2 Line is expected to start within a month.
That's the last big milestone before a grand opening, and brings the benefit of added trains riders will be able to board between International District and Lynnwood.
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/09/c...
That's the last big milestone before a grand opening, and brings the benefit of added trains riders will be able to board between International District and Lynnwood.
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/09/c...
Crosslake Light Rail Approaches One of Its Final Milestones » The Urbanist
# With simulated light rail service across I-90 less than a month away, Sound Transit appears poised to beat its deadline of opening the full 2 Line by May 31. Simulated service also brings increased ...
www.theurbanist.org
January 9, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Major light rail news: simulated service on the 2 Line is expected to start within a month.
That's the last big milestone before a grand opening, and brings the benefit of added trains riders will be able to board between International District and Lynnwood.
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/09/c...
That's the last big milestone before a grand opening, and brings the benefit of added trains riders will be able to board between International District and Lynnwood.
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/09/c...
Dionne Foster: "Build the damn trains!"
Dionne Foster has been sworn in as Seattle's newest Councilmember.
January 7, 2026 at 12:49 AM
The Crosslake trains haul
January 6, 2026 at 5:39 PM
The Crosslake trains haul
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
I'll be at #TranspoCamp next Saturday, presenting Wednesday at #TRBAM Lecture Session 4050 (Travel Behavior and Mobility in Aging Populations), and Thursday, speaking on the closing plenary of #Crossroads. If you're in DC and want to meet up, let me know!
Crossroads: A Transportation Equity and Justice Convening
Join the Union of Concerned Scientists and our transportation partners for a one-day event to discuss transportation equity and justice. Thursday, January 15, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET, at the Ma...
secure.ucs.org
January 3, 2026 at 11:47 PM
I'll be at #TranspoCamp next Saturday, presenting Wednesday at #TRBAM Lecture Session 4050 (Travel Behavior and Mobility in Aging Populations), and Thursday, speaking on the closing plenary of #Crossroads. If you're in DC and want to meet up, let me know!
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
Happy new year!
Exciting news: There's new transit coming in 2026—including metro, light rail, commuter rail, aerial tram, & BRT lines across North America. Overall, the US, Canada, & Mexico will add 150 miles of fixed-guideway transit.
It's all on The Transport Politic in my annual roundup ⏬
Exciting news: There's new transit coming in 2026—including metro, light rail, commuter rail, aerial tram, & BRT lines across North America. Overall, the US, Canada, & Mexico will add 150 miles of fixed-guideway transit.
It's all on The Transport Politic in my annual roundup ⏬
Transit Expansion in North America: A Look Ahead to 2026, and a 2025 Roundup
In 2026, new fixed-guideway transit lines are opening across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In this overview, I compile information about each of these projects, including: Metro and monora…
www.thetransportpolitic.com
January 1, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Happy new year!
Exciting news: There's new transit coming in 2026—including metro, light rail, commuter rail, aerial tram, & BRT lines across North America. Overall, the US, Canada, & Mexico will add 150 miles of fixed-guideway transit.
It's all on The Transport Politic in my annual roundup ⏬
Exciting news: There's new transit coming in 2026—including metro, light rail, commuter rail, aerial tram, & BRT lines across North America. Overall, the US, Canada, & Mexico will add 150 miles of fixed-guideway transit.
It's all on The Transport Politic in my annual roundup ⏬
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
The 1 Line will operate until approximately 3 am tomorrow night, according to Sound Transit.
December 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The 1 Line will operate until approximately 3 am tomorrow night, according to Sound Transit.
Mamdani Will Be Sworn In at Abandoned Subway Station Beneath City Hall
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
🔥 A #waleg bill to watch this session: HB 2134. Adds the allcaps verbiage: "Each regional transportation planning organization shall develop a plan that...PROVIDES FOR REDUCTIONS IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED."
So simple, you wonder why it isn't law already.
So simple, you wonder why it isn't law already.
December 28, 2025 at 9:17 AM
🔥 A #waleg bill to watch this session: HB 2134. Adds the allcaps verbiage: "Each regional transportation planning organization shall develop a plan that...PROVIDES FOR REDUCTIONS IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED."
So simple, you wonder why it isn't law already.
So simple, you wonder why it isn't law already.
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
The $4b in federal grants that CA High-Speed Rail has given up on were specifically earmarked for the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment.
Financially it's a big loss, but procedurally it's one less barrier to skipping Merced and making it to the Bay Area.
Financially it's a big loss, but procedurally it's one less barrier to skipping Merced and making it to the Bay Area.
Can California High-Speed Rail make it to the Bay?
The project notched a major victory by securing long-term funding. But getting the line to major population centers remains an enormous challenge.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The $4b in federal grants that CA High-Speed Rail has given up on were specifically earmarked for the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment.
Financially it's a big loss, but procedurally it's one less barrier to skipping Merced and making it to the Bay Area.
Financially it's a big loss, but procedurally it's one less barrier to skipping Merced and making it to the Bay Area.
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
Just saw the LINK being tested on Lake Washington!
December 27, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Just saw the LINK being tested on Lake Washington!
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
I've been looking through old state transit reports recently, and was astounded at the fact that in 1976 Washington's intercity bus network carried 30 million passengers, half as many as every transit agency in the state at that time. Spokane had nearly 40 daily one way trips to different cities.
December 26, 2025 at 1:55 AM
I've been looking through old state transit reports recently, and was astounded at the fact that in 1976 Washington's intercity bus network carried 30 million passengers, half as many as every transit agency in the state at that time. Spokane had nearly 40 daily one way trips to different cities.
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
Rail $395 million
Public transit $753 million
Debt $1.7 billion
Highway upgrades $5.3 billion
someone who is good at transportation planning please help me budget this. my state is dying
Public transit $753 million
Debt $1.7 billion
Highway upgrades $5.3 billion
someone who is good at transportation planning please help me budget this. my state is dying
December 20, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Rail $395 million
Public transit $753 million
Debt $1.7 billion
Highway upgrades $5.3 billion
someone who is good at transportation planning please help me budget this. my state is dying
Public transit $753 million
Debt $1.7 billion
Highway upgrades $5.3 billion
someone who is good at transportation planning please help me budget this. my state is dying
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
The cost of additional delay and reduced resiliency in the light rail system were cited as reasons to set aside the idea of dropping Ballard Link's planned tunnel under Downtown. But the discussion is likely to set up a broader debate around the tunnel.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/19/s...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/19/s...
Sound Transit Board Sets Aside Idea of Skipping Second Downtown Tunnel » The Urbanist
# The cost of additional delay and reduced resiliency in the light rail system were cited as reasons to set aside the idea of dropping Ballard Link's planned tunnel under Downtown Seattle. But the dis...
www.theurbanist.org
December 19, 2025 at 10:37 PM
The cost of additional delay and reduced resiliency in the light rail system were cited as reasons to set aside the idea of dropping Ballard Link's planned tunnel under Downtown. But the discussion is likely to set up a broader debate around the tunnel.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/19/s...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/19/s...
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
Crosslake light rail update: pre-revenue service trains will start running back and forth across I-90 starting NEXT MONDAY, CEO Dow Constantine just told the board.
December 18, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Crosslake light rail update: pre-revenue service trains will start running back and forth across I-90 starting NEXT MONDAY, CEO Dow Constantine just told the board.
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
Imagine how boring it would be to live in a city with normal sports teams
December 16, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Imagine how boring it would be to live in a city with normal sports teams
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
Started taking the 7 bus downtown to transfer to the 594 before I realized I can actually just ride the light rail south to Federal Way now and take the 574 to Tacoma, saving myself an hour+ of travel time! Yay new light rail stations!
December 17, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Started taking the 7 bus downtown to transfer to the 594 before I realized I can actually just ride the light rail south to Federal Way now and take the 574 to Tacoma, saving myself an hour+ of travel time! Yay new light rail stations!
Reposted by Kirk Hovenkotter
A few thoughts on why the latent popularity of car-free living hasn’t translated to the funding changes necessary to make it possible:
The millions of people who would like to drive less aren’t organized, so elected officials rarely hear from them, allowing the car-dominated status quo to fester.
The millions of people who would like to drive less aren’t organized, so elected officials rarely hear from them, allowing the car-dominated status quo to fester.
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Many Americans Are Open to Car-Free Living — Human Transit
Is Americans a “car culture” or are they “car dependent”? Do they drive because they love driving, or are they in an unhealthy relationship with a substance it would be happy to do without? Obviousl...
humantransit.org
December 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
A few thoughts on why the latent popularity of car-free living hasn’t translated to the funding changes necessary to make it possible:
The millions of people who would like to drive less aren’t organized, so elected officials rarely hear from them, allowing the car-dominated status quo to fester.
The millions of people who would like to drive less aren’t organized, so elected officials rarely hear from them, allowing the car-dominated status quo to fester.