Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City
@thefoxandthecity.com
The world-famous urban theorist who…wait, this has to be honest‽
Independent Professional Urbanist and Writer, creating in-depth critiques of urban spaces, places, & systems.
My work:
thefoxandthecity.com
Also ED @etany.org
She/her
Independent Professional Urbanist and Writer, creating in-depth critiques of urban spaces, places, & systems.
My work:
thefoxandthecity.com
Also ED @etany.org
She/her
Pinned
Urbanism as a Field of Study | The Fox and the City
For all the attention urbanism has gotten over recent years, the study of cities for their own sake has often languished—and might even risk being defined out of existence. With apologies to Louis Wir...
tinyurl.com
For all the attention urbanism has gotten in recent years, urbanism as a field of study has often languished.
In my latest essay, I seek to define urbanism, explore what makes it different, and correct misconceptions about what it's not.
thefoxandthecity.com/articles/urb...
In my latest essay, I seek to define urbanism, explore what makes it different, and correct misconceptions about what it's not.
thefoxandthecity.com/articles/urb...
Reposted by Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City
This is it. The definitive telling how to update the LED signs on @mta.info L trains was rediscovered and lost to time once again in 2020.
January 30, 2026 at 11:07 PM
This is it. The definitive telling how to update the LED signs on @mta.info L trains was rediscovered and lost to time once again in 2020.
You have got to be kidding me.
It's like an elaborate hoax, only I'm not sure the joke.
It's like an elaborate hoax, only I'm not sure the joke.
Eglinton Crosstown won’t get full signal priority before May, TTC Chair says
www.cp24.com/local/toront...
www.cp24.com/local/toront...
Eglinton Crosstown won’t get full signal priority before May, TTC Chair says
The chair of the TTC said Friday that the city will be implementing signal priority upgrades to make sure the Eglinton Crosstown moves faster than the Finch West LRT, but those upgrades won’t be fully...
www.cp24.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:41 PM
You have got to be kidding me.
It's like an elaborate hoax, only I'm not sure the joke.
It's like an elaborate hoax, only I'm not sure the joke.
I have to say, this sweater that my partner's mom got me for Christmas is almost OP, even in this weather.
I guess that's what you get for something made on PEI.
I guess that's what you get for something made on PEI.
January 30, 2026 at 9:01 PM
I have to say, this sweater that my partner's mom got me for Christmas is almost OP, even in this weather.
I guess that's what you get for something made on PEI.
I guess that's what you get for something made on PEI.
This upcoming presentation by the @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social is a good example of what we mean when we discuss the decline of state capacity.
At one point, the subway had a division to investigate what materials best served its needs. Hard to imagine today!
www.nytransitmuseum.org/program/subw...
At one point, the subway had a division to investigate what materials best served its needs. Hard to imagine today!
www.nytransitmuseum.org/program/subw...
January 30, 2026 at 6:46 PM
This upcoming presentation by the @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social is a good example of what we mean when we discuss the decline of state capacity.
At one point, the subway had a division to investigate what materials best served its needs. Hard to imagine today!
www.nytransitmuseum.org/program/subw...
At one point, the subway had a division to investigate what materials best served its needs. Hard to imagine today!
www.nytransitmuseum.org/program/subw...
I've noticed this in practice over the past few months.
It's actually a minor service downgrade? A lot of stations are heavily balanced towards front or back.
Then again, I've found Metro-North engineers surprisingly inconsistent on stopping, even at stations with posted markers, so IDK.
It's actually a minor service downgrade? A lot of stations are heavily balanced towards front or back.
Then again, I've found Metro-North engineers surprisingly inconsistent on stopping, even at stations with posted markers, so IDK.
At most stations, all trains will stop at the front of the platform in the direction of travel, regardless of the platform length.
This means you'll always be able to board and exit in the same spot, leading to a more consistent boarding experience for all customers.
This means you'll always be able to board and exit in the same spot, leading to a more consistent boarding experience for all customers.
January 30, 2026 at 6:11 PM
I've noticed this in practice over the past few months.
It's actually a minor service downgrade? A lot of stations are heavily balanced towards front or back.
Then again, I've found Metro-North engineers surprisingly inconsistent on stopping, even at stations with posted markers, so IDK.
It's actually a minor service downgrade? A lot of stations are heavily balanced towards front or back.
Then again, I've found Metro-North engineers surprisingly inconsistent on stopping, even at stations with posted markers, so IDK.
So glad this plan is finally out, been waiting for it to be public!
A provocative and I think very compelling argument.
A provocative and I think very compelling argument.
41 miles of new subway for the cost of free buses. Here’s an audacious, expansive plan to expand the subway’s reach & catalyze housing to attack the affordability crisis. An incredible effort from NYU Marron team. Excited for this to be out in the world:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/n...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/n...
Free Buses? How About Expanding the Subway by 41 Miles Instead?
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:47 PM
So glad this plan is finally out, been waiting for it to be public!
A provocative and I think very compelling argument.
A provocative and I think very compelling argument.
This is why I dislike the new onboard activation charges.
If we were going to PoP, I understand there needs to be ways to enforce activation. But a PoP rollout should come with service improvements, something you could sell.
This is just a punitive way to protect a bad fare collection system.
If we were going to PoP, I understand there needs to be ways to enforce activation. But a PoP rollout should come with service improvements, something you could sell.
This is just a punitive way to protect a bad fare collection system.
I mean you know how it’s better…no worry of job losses or different responsibilities for conductors, no new paradigm for management.
January 30, 2026 at 5:44 PM
This is why I dislike the new onboard activation charges.
If we were going to PoP, I understand there needs to be ways to enforce activation. But a PoP rollout should come with service improvements, something you could sell.
This is just a punitive way to protect a bad fare collection system.
If we were going to PoP, I understand there needs to be ways to enforce activation. But a PoP rollout should come with service improvements, something you could sell.
This is just a punitive way to protect a bad fare collection system.
Oh god they all work:
Star Trek: The Sausage Picture
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Sausage
Star Trek III: The Search for Sausage
Star Trek V: The Final Sausage
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Sausage
Star Trek: The Sausage Picture
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Sausage
Star Trek III: The Search for Sausage
Star Trek V: The Final Sausage
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Sausage
Ruin a movie by replacing one word in the title with the word "sausage"
STAR TREK: THE SAUSAGE HOME
STAR TREK: THE SAUSAGE HOME
Ruin a movie by replacing one word in the title with "Sausage"
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK SAUSAGE
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK SAUSAGE
January 30, 2026 at 2:53 AM
Oh god they all work:
Star Trek: The Sausage Picture
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Sausage
Star Trek III: The Search for Sausage
Star Trek V: The Final Sausage
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Sausage
Star Trek: The Sausage Picture
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Sausage
Star Trek III: The Search for Sausage
Star Trek V: The Final Sausage
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Sausage
This hits hard.
As someone with an advanced but non-terminal degree, it's pretty annoying that in order to teach you either need the terminal degree or you need to know literally nothing
Yale is launching a new Presidential Senior Fellowship to expand access to the transformative work of universities. As part of this program, author and columnist David Brooks will join the Jackson School of Global Affairs starting February 1.
Read more in Yale News: bit.ly/49QpJoY
Read more in Yale News: bit.ly/49QpJoY
January 29, 2026 at 11:02 PM
This hits hard.
Reposted by Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City
Victory on the All Faiths Tunnel was just the start. Now we’re pushing for:
• Automated light metro
• High frequencies
• Seamless in-system transfers
• High-floor trains
Check out ETA's official recommendations for the IBX environmental review submitted last November:
www.etany.org/statements/i...
• Automated light metro
• High frequencies
• Seamless in-system transfers
• High-floor trains
Check out ETA's official recommendations for the IBX environmental review submitted last November:
www.etany.org/statements/i...
Public Comment on the IBX SEQRA Draft Scoping — Effective Transit Alliance New York
ETA's public comment on the IBX, submitted in November 2025 as part of the SEQRA Draft Scoping process.
www.etany.org
January 29, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Victory on the All Faiths Tunnel was just the start. Now we’re pushing for:
• Automated light metro
• High frequencies
• Seamless in-system transfers
• High-floor trains
Check out ETA's official recommendations for the IBX environmental review submitted last November:
www.etany.org/statements/i...
• Automated light metro
• High frequencies
• Seamless in-system transfers
• High-floor trains
Check out ETA's official recommendations for the IBX environmental review submitted last November:
www.etany.org/statements/i...
Very good piece.
In a lot of ways, transit was an early bellwether of what was coming given the lawlessness of the congestion pricing fight.
In a lot of ways, transit was an early bellwether of what was coming given the lawlessness of the congestion pricing fight.
January 29, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Very good piece.
In a lot of ways, transit was an early bellwether of what was coming given the lawlessness of the congestion pricing fight.
In a lot of ways, transit was an early bellwether of what was coming given the lawlessness of the congestion pricing fight.
Reposted by Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City
I've got to admit, the sheer "uh, life finds a way" of this sometimes is amazing.
These are on a light support *over the roadway*. Hard to get there from the walkway!
These are on a light support *over the roadway*. Hard to get there from the walkway!
January 29, 2026 at 4:47 PM
I've got to admit, the sheer "uh, life finds a way" of this sometimes is amazing.
These are on a light support *over the roadway*. Hard to get there from the walkway!
These are on a light support *over the roadway*. Hard to get there from the walkway!
Reposted by Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City
The orcas want you to use your orca card!
January 29, 2026 at 3:28 AM
The orcas want you to use your orca card!
Well um, ackshually, it's more like SimCity 3000.
And it's *amazing*.
And it's *amazing*.
January 29, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Well um, ackshually, it's more like SimCity 3000.
And it's *amazing*.
And it's *amazing*.
FOREVER
January 29, 2026 at 1:02 AM
FOREVER
So, I just had a random stranger on the 6 train ask me a question about how to structure her business: should she offer a helper a flat fee or a percentage for her dog boarding business?
I love this town.
I love this town.
January 29, 2026 at 12:36 AM
So, I just had a random stranger on the 6 train ask me a question about how to structure her business: should she offer a helper a flat fee or a percentage for her dog boarding business?
I love this town.
I love this town.
I decided to check out the new turnstiles at 23rd St on the 6.
These are part of a series of trials of new models to make the system more accessible while cutting down on fare evasion.
The MTA is trying different models in different stations.
These are part of a series of trials of new models to make the system more accessible while cutting down on fare evasion.
The MTA is trying different models in different stations.
January 28, 2026 at 11:55 PM
I decided to check out the new turnstiles at 23rd St on the 6.
These are part of a series of trials of new models to make the system more accessible while cutting down on fare evasion.
The MTA is trying different models in different stations.
These are part of a series of trials of new models to make the system more accessible while cutting down on fare evasion.
The MTA is trying different models in different stations.
This is an excellent project idea.
I don't think I ever fully wrote it up, but the other thing I'd like to see is a federally supported pilot program to try building a truly frequent bus network in a set of midsize cities, with a commitment to, say, 10 years of support. Not line-by-line. Do it all at once.
January 28, 2026 at 6:25 PM
This is an excellent project idea.
I thought I had repressed all the memories...
January 28, 2026 at 5:46 PM
I thought I had repressed all the memories...
Something is very strange in the MTA's FY2026 numbers: how is the agency spending nearly $7B on subway cars in one year!?
It is many times larger than any other line item, including 2x station work.
I feel like we have to be missing something in these numbers...
www.mta.info/transparency...
It is many times larger than any other line item, including 2x station work.
I feel like we have to be missing something in these numbers...
www.mta.info/transparency...
January 28, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Something is very strange in the MTA's FY2026 numbers: how is the agency spending nearly $7B on subway cars in one year!?
It is many times larger than any other line item, including 2x station work.
I feel like we have to be missing something in these numbers...
www.mta.info/transparency...
It is many times larger than any other line item, including 2x station work.
I feel like we have to be missing something in these numbers...
www.mta.info/transparency...
"Proceed quickly. Doors close swiftly."
We're going to need to bring back the "Step lively!" PSAs.
We're going to need to bring back the "Step lively!" PSAs.
January 28, 2026 at 1:44 AM
"Proceed quickly. Doors close swiftly."
We're going to need to bring back the "Step lively!" PSAs.
We're going to need to bring back the "Step lively!" PSAs.
Well, this isn't good: currently no Metro-North New Haven line departures have tracks.
January 27, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Well, this isn't good: currently no Metro-North New Haven line departures have tracks.
And I thought dealing with the Class I's in the US could be bad...
A recent casual conversation with someone who worked in a major transit project in Canada:
"Dealing with CN or CP is a nightmare, they don't care, they come at the table and clearly tell you: 'you are worth nothing, because they were there before the Confederation even existed'"
"Dealing with CN or CP is a nightmare, they don't care, they come at the table and clearly tell you: 'you are worth nothing, because they were there before the Confederation even existed'"
January 27, 2026 at 9:06 PM
And I thought dealing with the Class I's in the US could be bad...
Reposted by Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City
Looking south of the border got me thinking about civil wars in general, and the Greek Civil War, during which my mother grew up, in particular. In the @halifaxexaminer.ca today.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/morning-file...
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/morning-file...
Is the U.S. on a slow march to civil war? - Halifax Examiner
I grew up with stories of the Greek civil war; now I think of them when I look at news out of the U.S.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
January 27, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Looking south of the border got me thinking about civil wars in general, and the Greek Civil War, during which my mother grew up, in particular. In the @halifaxexaminer.ca today.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/morning-file...
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/morning-file...