Thomas Bamonte
@thomasbamonte.bsky.social
Chicago. Transportation law, policy, and technology mostly. Senior Advisor, Metropolitan Planning Council. Views my own. One ticket, one timetable, one network....
"Targeted cycling policies, such as building dedicated lanes and improving bike parking, were major contributors to the rise in ridership. Equally important were measures that discouraged car use—like low-emission zones, traffic restrictions, and fuel price changes." momentummag.com/new-study-pa...
New Study Shows How Paris Pedaled Its Way to a Cycling Revolution
Cycling through central Paris meant weaving between buses and scooters—a bold choice reserved for the fearless few.
momentummag.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:08 PM
"Targeted cycling policies, such as building dedicated lanes and improving bike parking, were major contributors to the rise in ridership. Equally important were measures that discouraged car use—like low-emission zones, traffic restrictions, and fuel price changes." momentummag.com/new-study-pa...
Link to Foundry Park materials submitted to the Chicago Plan Commission covering proposed development on razed industrial property along Cortland Avenue between Racine and Elston Avenues: www.chicago.gov/content/dam/...
January 13, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Link to Foundry Park materials submitted to the Chicago Plan Commission covering proposed development on razed industrial property along Cortland Avenue between Racine and Elston Avenues: www.chicago.gov/content/dam/...
Surging construction cost for I-5 bridge linking WA/OR in Portland echoes increases in cost estimates for the Red Line Extension Project @chicagocta.bsky.social. @nikhunder.com Hollowing out of in-house DOT technical capabilities cited as one but not only factor. cityobservatory.org/17-7-billion...
$17.7 Billion: Exploding costs doom I-5 bridge replacement – City Observatory
cityobservatory.org
January 13, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Surging construction cost for I-5 bridge linking WA/OR in Portland echoes increases in cost estimates for the Red Line Extension Project @chicagocta.bsky.social. @nikhunder.com Hollowing out of in-house DOT technical capabilities cited as one but not only factor. cityobservatory.org/17-7-billion...
Transportation theorist @transportist.org, who is key figure in focusing us on connecting people to destinations effectively rather than on just maximizing vehicle speeds/volumes and a past resident of Minneapolis now in Sydney, sounds alarm on rise of US fascism. transportist.org/2026/01/13/s...
State-sponsored domestic terrorism
The US has created a domestic masked secret police force1 that plucks residents out of their homes and disappears2 them. An organization of poorly trained, gun-wielding, masked agents who shoot peo…
transportist.org
January 13, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Transportation theorist @transportist.org, who is key figure in focusing us on connecting people to destinations effectively rather than on just maximizing vehicle speeds/volumes and a past resident of Minneapolis now in Sydney, sounds alarm on rise of US fascism. transportist.org/2026/01/13/s...
Attention @worldbollardassoc.bsky.social. A rare City of Chicago deployment of real bollards to protect people from traffic.
This is what happens when you have an alder who gives a damn about people outside of cars.
That raised cycle path with bollards should be standard issue across the city
That raised cycle path with bollards should be standard issue across the city
Some more fun Chicago bike infrastructure updates - Ainslie Arts Plaza is open with seating and a concrete WALL protected bike lane with the turn of Lincoln into Ainslie. Another win from @andrefor40th.bsky.social! #bikechi
January 13, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Attention @worldbollardassoc.bsky.social. A rare City of Chicago deployment of real bollards to protect people from traffic.
JDL Development has submitted to the City of Chicago Plan Commission a plan for Foundry Park. It would take 34 vacant acres, formerly industrial, and make a new neighborhood that connects Lincoln Park to Bucktown and Wicker Park. chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
City's planning agency to review Foundry Park zoning proposal
The developer has submitted design sketches for property formerly slated as part of Lincoln Yards.
chicago.suntimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:14 PM
JDL Development has submitted to the City of Chicago Plan Commission a plan for Foundry Park. It would take 34 vacant acres, formerly industrial, and make a new neighborhood that connects Lincoln Park to Bucktown and Wicker Park. chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Cautionary tale from Minnesota about extending commuter rail to low-density hinterlands because a powerful Congressional sponsor was abke to line up money to build the project. Hopefully, in the Chicago region NITA and CMAP will resist similar temptations. www.railway.supply/northstar-tr...
Northstar train service ends as Amtrak Borealis grows
Northstar train service ends after a final gathering of rail fans in Minneapolis, and Metro Transit is moving to a bus-focused replacement plan for the commuter
www.railway.supply
January 12, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Cautionary tale from Minnesota about extending commuter rail to low-density hinterlands because a powerful Congressional sponsor was abke to line up money to build the project. Hopefully, in the Chicago region NITA and CMAP will resist similar temptations. www.railway.supply/northstar-tr...
Doing environmental regulation cost/benefit analyses without assigning a dollar value to the public health benefits from the regulation seems like a farce, but it may become Trump Administration EPA policy. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved When Setting Rules on Air Pollution
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Doing environmental regulation cost/benefit analyses without assigning a dollar value to the public health benefits from the regulation seems like a farce, but it may become Trump Administration EPA policy. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
Jill Jaworski is leaving as CFO of the City of Chicago. Her critique of the regressive tax structure in Illinois was sharp. chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
Illinois' regressive tax structure is 'crime of the century' that needs to be solved, Chicago's CFO says
Jill Jaworski, Mayor Brandon Johnson's chief financial officer, said the state's tax inequities can only be solved by switching from a flat state income tax to a graduated tax, and by extending the st...
chicago.suntimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Jill Jaworski is leaving as CFO of the City of Chicago. Her critique of the regressive tax structure in Illinois was sharp. chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
State of play in the automated vehicles market per McKinsey survey of industry insiders. Robotaxis first use case Chicago/IL likely to see, follwed by automated trucks. Less emphasis on consumer vehicle market. www.mckinsey.com/features/mck...
www.mckinsey.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:40 PM
State of play in the automated vehicles market per McKinsey survey of industry insiders. Robotaxis first use case Chicago/IL likely to see, follwed by automated trucks. Less emphasis on consumer vehicle market. www.mckinsey.com/features/mck...
Positive assessment of the Los Angeles transit ambassador program bodes well for the coming Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) transit ambassador program required by section 2.46 of the NITA Act. la.streetsblog.org/2026/01/05/u...
UCLA Study Finds Metro Transit Ambassador Program Is Benefitting Metro Riders - Streetsblog Los Angeles
"Overall, ambassadors contribute to improved passenger experiences and play a needed role not well-served by other existing staff or system design features."
la.streetsblog.org
January 7, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Positive assessment of the Los Angeles transit ambassador program bodes well for the coming Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) transit ambassador program required by section 2.46 of the NITA Act. la.streetsblog.org/2026/01/05/u...
Interview with @benschneider.bsky.social on transit and housing initiatives in Los Angeles. franknewsus.substack.com/p/las-urban-...
LA's Urban Future
An updated look at LA's transit expansion with Benjamin Schneider.
franknewsus.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Interview with @benschneider.bsky.social on transit and housing initiatives in Los Angeles. franknewsus.substack.com/p/las-urban-...
“One year after the start of congestion pricing, traffic jams are less severe, streets are safer, and commute times are improving for travelers from well beyond Manhattan …. And it has probably contributed to rising transit ridership.” www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Congestion pricing after one year: How life has changed. (Gift Article)
How life has changed in the New York area, according to data on traffic, transit and the responses of 600 readers.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:57 PM
“One year after the start of congestion pricing, traffic jams are less severe, streets are safer, and commute times are improving for travelers from well beyond Manhattan …. And it has probably contributed to rising transit ridership.” www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Bracing start to the day/year: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
Opinion | Trump Is the Jan. 6 President
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Bracing start to the day/year: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
New New York Mayor puts transportation at center of agenda with prompt pick of Transportation Commissioner. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/n...
Mamdani Names Transportation Chief With Job of Making Buses Fast and Free
www.nytimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:50 PM
New New York Mayor puts transportation at center of agenda with prompt pick of Transportation Commissioner. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/n...
"What is not widely recognized is that intercity buses are the most cost-effective, least subsidized, and most fuel-efficient mode of long-distance travel."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/23/t...
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/23/t...
This Holiday Travel Season, It’s Time to End the Stigma Around Intercity Buses — Streetsblog USA
"The future of travel is not about choosing one mode over another. It is about building a balanced, interconnected system where buses, trains, planes, and cars complement each other."
usa.streetsblog.org
December 28, 2025 at 4:24 PM
"What is not widely recognized is that intercity buses are the most cost-effective, least subsidized, and most fuel-efficient mode of long-distance travel."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/23/t...
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/23/t...
"Illinois did just that in October, with the 'Halloween Miracle' that brought transit back from the brink — and set a powerful example for how other states can throw their weight behind shared and active modes." 👏https://usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/27/year-in-review-what-gave-us-hope-in-a-dark-2025
Year in Review: What Gave Us Hope in a Dark 2025 — Streetsblog USA
Yes, this year was tough. Yes: we're still ending it with hope for the future.
usa.streetsblog.org
December 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
"Illinois did just that in October, with the 'Halloween Miracle' that brought transit back from the brink — and set a powerful example for how other states can throw their weight behind shared and active modes." 👏https://usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/27/year-in-review-what-gave-us-hope-in-a-dark-2025
Credit rating upgrades for @chicagocta.bsky.social and @rtachicago.bsky.social a positive result of @govpritzker.illinois.gov recent signing of the transit reform bill. www.bondbuyer.com/news/moodys-...
Moody's upgrades CTA and RTA in wake of Illinois transit bill
Moody's Ratings upgraded the Chicago Transit Authority to Aa3 from A1 Friday, and upgraded the Chicago-area Regional Transportation Authority to Aa2 from Aa3.
www.bondbuyer.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Credit rating upgrades for @chicagocta.bsky.social and @rtachicago.bsky.social a positive result of @govpritzker.illinois.gov recent signing of the transit reform bill. www.bondbuyer.com/news/moodys-...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u... Trump Administration loses in Supreme Court on national guard deployment in Chicago. Rare S.Ct. ruling against Administration.
Supreme Court Refuses to Allow Trump to Deploy National Guard in Chicago
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:42 PM
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u... Trump Administration loses in Supreme Court on national guard deployment in Chicago. Rare S.Ct. ruling against Administration.
Reposted by Thomas Bamonte
The point I wish got emphasized more is that the big winners from congestion pricing are *people who urgently need to drive*. Because they are ones that travel times really matter for. I always thought that instead of congestion pricing it should be called "free streets" - free from other cars.
this is incredible stuff. most state DOTs would spend tens of billions on highway expansions to try and see numbers like this (that wouldn’t even pan out anyway thanks to induced demand lol)
December 23, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The point I wish got emphasized more is that the big winners from congestion pricing are *people who urgently need to drive*. Because they are ones that travel times really matter for. I always thought that instead of congestion pricing it should be called "free streets" - free from other cars.
Traffic is down inside New York City's congestion pricing zone but sales tax revenue growth is up compared to areas outside the zone. Biggest 2025 US transportation sector success story? www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
New York's Congestion Pricing Is Working. Five Charts Show How
Nearly a year ago, New York City embarked on a controversial program to toll drivers entering some of Manhattan’s busiest streets. The goal of the congestion pricing plan, the first of its kind in the...
www.bloomberg.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Traffic is down inside New York City's congestion pricing zone but sales tax revenue growth is up compared to areas outside the zone. Biggest 2025 US transportation sector success story? www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Peer review request @mclean.bsky.social on his work visualizing the impact of the People Over Parking Act, which nixes government-mandated parking minimums in the vicinity of areas served by frequent transit service.
I just published a new version of the People over Parking Act map that includes a bunch of cities that will have parking mandates removed around transit.
It was kind of complex to implement the statute using gtfs, would definitely appreciate some peer review!
misterclean.github.io/illinois-peo...
It was kind of complex to implement the statute using gtfs, would definitely appreciate some peer review!
misterclean.github.io/illinois-peo...
December 22, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Peer review request @mclean.bsky.social on his work visualizing the impact of the People Over Parking Act, which nixes government-mandated parking minimums in the vicinity of areas served by frequent transit service.
Reposted by Thomas Bamonte
Like Thomas said, weigh in on this important survey at the link below engage.cmap.illinois.gov/2026-rtp/sur.... Oppose NDLSD? Oppose more vehicle lanes? Support transit? This is the survey for you. Fill it out by 12/31 to make your voice heard.
December 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Like Thomas said, weigh in on this important survey at the link below engage.cmap.illinois.gov/2026-rtp/sur.... Oppose NDLSD? Oppose more vehicle lanes? Support transit? This is the survey for you. Fill it out by 12/31 to make your voice heard.
Per new @nikhunder.com analysis, increasing bus stop spacing "could translate into speed improvements of 14-29% depending on the route, traffic levels, and how many stops are removed. That’s a remarkable increase in speed, at minimal cost to the agency." citythatworks.substack.com/p/a-plan-for...
A plan for faster buses
We can speed up the bus at (almost) no cost
citythatworks.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Per new @nikhunder.com analysis, increasing bus stop spacing "could translate into speed improvements of 14-29% depending on the route, traffic levels, and how many stops are removed. That’s a remarkable increase in speed, at minimal cost to the agency." citythatworks.substack.com/p/a-plan-for...
Rail operator staffing and recent rail service trends @chicagocta.bsky.social.
After peaking in September, CTA rail staffing has slipped back to just over the 2019 benchmark.
December 21, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Rail operator staffing and recent rail service trends @chicagocta.bsky.social.