𝚃𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚜 𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚎 🚇
@taras-grescoe.com
Author of Straphanger, Shanghai Grand, Devil’s Picnic | Words NYT NatGeo Smithsonian WSJ | Talks: http://taras-grescoe.com/contact
https://www.highspeed.blog
https://linktr.ee/tarasgrescoe
IG: https://www.instagram.com/i.ride.trains/
https://www.highspeed.blog
https://linktr.ee/tarasgrescoe
IG: https://www.instagram.com/i.ride.trains/
In the last decade, #Montreal has become North America's paragon of urban cycling.
Largely due to @projetmontreal.org and the @valplante.bsky.social mayoralty.
A new party is in power, and they promised to audit and remove bike lanes.
Their newly-announced budget...
🧵
Largely due to @projetmontreal.org and the @valplante.bsky.social mayoralty.
A new party is in power, and they promised to audit and remove bike lanes.
Their newly-announced budget...
🧵
January 13, 2026 at 2:10 PM
In the last decade, #Montreal has become North America's paragon of urban cycling.
Largely due to @projetmontreal.org and the @valplante.bsky.social mayoralty.
A new party is in power, and they promised to audit and remove bike lanes.
Their newly-announced budget...
🧵
Largely due to @projetmontreal.org and the @valplante.bsky.social mayoralty.
A new party is in power, and they promised to audit and remove bike lanes.
Their newly-announced budget...
🧵
January 12, 2026 at 9:30 PM
This happens on a daily basis in San Francisco, where a private company, Alphabet, is beta-testing its robotaxis on public streets.
On Dec. 20 a power outage caused Waymos to stop altogether, often in intersections, causing gridlock throughout the city.
On Dec. 20 a power outage caused Waymos to stop altogether, often in intersections, causing gridlock throughout the city.
January 12, 2026 at 9:30 PM
This happens on a daily basis in San Francisco, where a private company, Alphabet, is beta-testing its robotaxis on public streets.
On Dec. 20 a power outage caused Waymos to stop altogether, often in intersections, causing gridlock throughout the city.
On Dec. 20 a power outage caused Waymos to stop altogether, often in intersections, causing gridlock throughout the city.
Electrify it, and they will ride!
Caltrain, commuter rail network of San Francisco + Silicon Valley, powers its trains from overhead wires, not diesel.
Electrification (better acceleration, higher frequency) boosted ridership by 47%, to 9.1 million in 2025.
www.webpronews.com/caltrain-ele...
Caltrain, commuter rail network of San Francisco + Silicon Valley, powers its trains from overhead wires, not diesel.
Electrification (better acceleration, higher frequency) boosted ridership by 47%, to 9.1 million in 2025.
www.webpronews.com/caltrain-ele...
January 12, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Electrify it, and they will ride!
Caltrain, commuter rail network of San Francisco + Silicon Valley, powers its trains from overhead wires, not diesel.
Electrification (better acceleration, higher frequency) boosted ridership by 47%, to 9.1 million in 2025.
www.webpronews.com/caltrain-ele...
Caltrain, commuter rail network of San Francisco + Silicon Valley, powers its trains from overhead wires, not diesel.
Electrification (better acceleration, higher frequency) boosted ridership by 47%, to 9.1 million in 2025.
www.webpronews.com/caltrain-ele...
Train-to-the-plane...coming down the line!
Today, #Montreal’s light-metro system, the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), reached a key construction milestone with the first successful run on the future airport branch
Today, #Montreal’s light-metro system, the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), reached a key construction milestone with the first successful run on the future airport branch
January 9, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Train-to-the-plane...coming down the line!
Today, #Montreal’s light-metro system, the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), reached a key construction milestone with the first successful run on the future airport branch
Today, #Montreal’s light-metro system, the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), reached a key construction milestone with the first successful run on the future airport branch
Waymo just failed in a big way in San Francisco. I take a closer look at the robotaxi hype—each ride costs Alphabet money—in the latest HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
January 9, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Waymo just failed in a big way in San Francisco. I take a closer look at the robotaxi hype—each ride costs Alphabet money—in the latest HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
...you have to limit car access to cities, not add hundreds of dead-heading AVs to the streets.
#Oslo also achieved the Vision Zero goal of no deaths, without AVs on its streets.
Both cities offer excellent public transit as an alternative to cars.
#Oslo also achieved the Vision Zero goal of no deaths, without AVs on its streets.
Both cities offer excellent public transit as an alternative to cars.
January 9, 2026 at 5:41 PM
...you have to limit car access to cities, not add hundreds of dead-heading AVs to the streets.
#Oslo also achieved the Vision Zero goal of no deaths, without AVs on its streets.
Both cities offer excellent public transit as an alternative to cars.
#Oslo also achieved the Vision Zero goal of no deaths, without AVs on its streets.
Both cities offer excellent public transit as an alternative to cars.
This year, you'll be able to take The Northlander, an evening train out of #Toronto 's Union Station, to cottage country in the Muskokas, and then on to North Bay and Timmins.
Check out new Siemens Charger locomotives—VIA Rail uses them from Ottawa-Qc City.
www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ont...
Check out new Siemens Charger locomotives—VIA Rail uses them from Ottawa-Qc City.
www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ont...
January 9, 2026 at 2:56 PM
This year, you'll be able to take The Northlander, an evening train out of #Toronto 's Union Station, to cottage country in the Muskokas, and then on to North Bay and Timmins.
Check out new Siemens Charger locomotives—VIA Rail uses them from Ottawa-Qc City.
www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ont...
Check out new Siemens Charger locomotives—VIA Rail uses them from Ottawa-Qc City.
www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ont...
I’m unusually happy about this used bookstore score!
January 9, 2026 at 2:23 PM
I’m unusually happy about this used bookstore score!
You know you’ve crossed some kind of line when the highlight of your week is finding a 464-page book on electric interurbans in a used bookstore. (Well, it is January.)
January 9, 2026 at 2:12 PM
You know you’ve crossed some kind of line when the highlight of your week is finding a 464-page book on electric interurbans in a used bookstore. (Well, it is January.)
Guess who’s got a new official Bluesky account!
Hizzoner Zohran the Man, America’s *Real* Mayor, is in da’ house….
@mayor.nyc.gov
Hizzoner Zohran the Man, America’s *Real* Mayor, is in da’ house….
@mayor.nyc.gov
January 8, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Guess who’s got a new official Bluesky account!
Hizzoner Zohran the Man, America’s *Real* Mayor, is in da’ house….
@mayor.nyc.gov
Hizzoner Zohran the Man, America’s *Real* Mayor, is in da’ house….
@mayor.nyc.gov
I take a look at the hope, the hype, and the realities of what happens when cities are flooded with robotaxis in this week's HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
January 8, 2026 at 9:04 PM
I take a look at the hope, the hype, and the realities of what happens when cities are flooded with robotaxis in this week's HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
As @davidzipper.bsky.social notes, Waymos have driven 127 million miles, and been involved in 2 fatalities. That's twice the rate of human-driven cars. And they have yet to deploy at scale.
Their glitches often interfere with public transit.
Their glitches often interfere with public transit.
January 8, 2026 at 9:03 PM
As @davidzipper.bsky.social notes, Waymos have driven 127 million miles, and been involved in 2 fatalities. That's twice the rate of human-driven cars. And they have yet to deploy at scale.
Their glitches often interfere with public transit.
Their glitches often interfere with public transit.
This is your city on robotaxis.
On Dec. 20, a blackout in San Francisco cut power to traffic lights. Drivers coped; Waymos just stopped moving, often in intersections, stranding passengers and compounding gridlock.
Some people claim they’re safer…
🧵
On Dec. 20, a blackout in San Francisco cut power to traffic lights. Drivers coped; Waymos just stopped moving, often in intersections, stranding passengers and compounding gridlock.
Some people claim they’re safer…
🧵
January 8, 2026 at 8:59 PM
This is your city on robotaxis.
On Dec. 20, a blackout in San Francisco cut power to traffic lights. Drivers coped; Waymos just stopped moving, often in intersections, stranding passengers and compounding gridlock.
Some people claim they’re safer…
🧵
On Dec. 20, a blackout in San Francisco cut power to traffic lights. Drivers coped; Waymos just stopped moving, often in intersections, stranding passengers and compounding gridlock.
Some people claim they’re safer…
🧵
...as in last month's blackout, or when they run into a novel situation (like a stand-off with a streetcar).
I take a look at the hope, the hype, and the realities of what happens when cities are flooded with robotaxis in this week's HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
I take a look at the hope, the hype, and the realities of what happens when cities are flooded with robotaxis in this week's HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
January 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
...as in last month's blackout, or when they run into a novel situation (like a stand-off with a streetcar).
I take a look at the hope, the hype, and the realities of what happens when cities are flooded with robotaxis in this week's HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
I take a look at the hope, the hype, and the realities of what happens when cities are flooded with robotaxis in this week's HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/waymo-trouble/
One thing's for sure: they're not financially viable. Each ride costs Alphabet more money than it brings in. Tesla's robotaxis still rely on in-car "AI Safety Operators." Waymos are overseen by remote supervisors (some as far away as the Philippines.) And they turn into bricks and block traffic...
January 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
One thing's for sure: they're not financially viable. Each ride costs Alphabet more money than it brings in. Tesla's robotaxis still rely on in-car "AI Safety Operators." Waymos are overseen by remote supervisors (some as far away as the Philippines.) And they turn into bricks and block traffic...
Are robotaxis safer than human-driven cars?
As @davidzipper.bsky.social notes, Waymos have driven 127 million miles, and been involved in 2 fatalities. That's twice the rate of human-driven cars. And they have yet to deploy at scale.
They're about to be allowed onto highways...
🧵
As @davidzipper.bsky.social notes, Waymos have driven 127 million miles, and been involved in 2 fatalities. That's twice the rate of human-driven cars. And they have yet to deploy at scale.
They're about to be allowed onto highways...
🧵
January 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Are robotaxis safer than human-driven cars?
As @davidzipper.bsky.social notes, Waymos have driven 127 million miles, and been involved in 2 fatalities. That's twice the rate of human-driven cars. And they have yet to deploy at scale.
They're about to be allowed onto highways...
🧵
As @davidzipper.bsky.social notes, Waymos have driven 127 million miles, and been involved in 2 fatalities. That's twice the rate of human-driven cars. And they have yet to deploy at scale.
They're about to be allowed onto highways...
🧵
"Robotaxis are still cars and cars are a uniquely inefficient means of moving large numbers of people when space is at a premium."
As I am, @davidzipper.bsky.social is baffled why Europe would entertain allowing Waymo et. al. into dense old cities with historic cores.
www.ft.com/content/781c...
As I am, @davidzipper.bsky.social is baffled why Europe would entertain allowing Waymo et. al. into dense old cities with historic cores.
www.ft.com/content/781c...
January 8, 2026 at 2:15 PM
"Robotaxis are still cars and cars are a uniquely inefficient means of moving large numbers of people when space is at a premium."
As I am, @davidzipper.bsky.social is baffled why Europe would entertain allowing Waymo et. al. into dense old cities with historic cores.
www.ft.com/content/781c...
As I am, @davidzipper.bsky.social is baffled why Europe would entertain allowing Waymo et. al. into dense old cities with historic cores.
www.ft.com/content/781c...
#China already has 70 percent of the world's high-speed rail lines. By 2030, the network is going to expand to 60,000 kms.
Between 2021 and 2025, the length of the high-speed rail system rose by a third, increasing to 50,400 km from 37,900 km.
www.business-standard.com/world-news/c...
Between 2021 and 2025, the length of the high-speed rail system rose by a third, increasing to 50,400 km from 37,900 km.
www.business-standard.com/world-news/c...
January 7, 2026 at 6:21 PM
#China already has 70 percent of the world's high-speed rail lines. By 2030, the network is going to expand to 60,000 kms.
Between 2021 and 2025, the length of the high-speed rail system rose by a third, increasing to 50,400 km from 37,900 km.
www.business-standard.com/world-news/c...
Between 2021 and 2025, the length of the high-speed rail system rose by a third, increasing to 50,400 km from 37,900 km.
www.business-standard.com/world-news/c...
Make way for the steam (bath) train!
This Kintetsu Railway train to the Yunoyama Onsen Station (hot baths) includes a passenger car where you can sip sake and warm up by soaking your feet in hot water. #Japan #RailSky
soranews24.com/2025/12/30/t...
This Kintetsu Railway train to the Yunoyama Onsen Station (hot baths) includes a passenger car where you can sip sake and warm up by soaking your feet in hot water. #Japan #RailSky
soranews24.com/2025/12/30/t...
January 7, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Make way for the steam (bath) train!
This Kintetsu Railway train to the Yunoyama Onsen Station (hot baths) includes a passenger car where you can sip sake and warm up by soaking your feet in hot water. #Japan #RailSky
soranews24.com/2025/12/30/t...
This Kintetsu Railway train to the Yunoyama Onsen Station (hot baths) includes a passenger car where you can sip sake and warm up by soaking your feet in hot water. #Japan #RailSky
soranews24.com/2025/12/30/t...
Is it a Dalek? The Terminator? The helmet from Robocop?
Nope—it's the diesel-electric streamlined train that changed everything. I got to board the Pioneer Zephyr at the Kevin C. Griffin Museum in #Chicago.
More in this High Speed dispatch:
#RailSky #trains
www.highspeed.blog/aboard-the-z...
Nope—it's the diesel-electric streamlined train that changed everything. I got to board the Pioneer Zephyr at the Kevin C. Griffin Museum in #Chicago.
More in this High Speed dispatch:
#RailSky #trains
www.highspeed.blog/aboard-the-z...
January 7, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Is it a Dalek? The Terminator? The helmet from Robocop?
Nope—it's the diesel-electric streamlined train that changed everything. I got to board the Pioneer Zephyr at the Kevin C. Griffin Museum in #Chicago.
More in this High Speed dispatch:
#RailSky #trains
www.highspeed.blog/aboard-the-z...
Nope—it's the diesel-electric streamlined train that changed everything. I got to board the Pioneer Zephyr at the Kevin C. Griffin Museum in #Chicago.
More in this High Speed dispatch:
#RailSky #trains
www.highspeed.blog/aboard-the-z...
This week's must-read on how congestion pricing has changed Manhattan from @emmbadger.bsky.social in the @nytimes.com :
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
January 5, 2026 at 6:48 PM
This week's must-read on how congestion pricing has changed Manhattan from @emmbadger.bsky.social in the @nytimes.com :
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
"All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system, and public health...what have the Romans ever done for us?"
By the same token, when you look closely, what has congestion pricing really done for #NYC anyway?
By the same token, when you look closely, what has congestion pricing really done for #NYC anyway?
January 5, 2026 at 6:37 PM
"All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system, and public health...what have the Romans ever done for us?"
By the same token, when you look closely, what has congestion pricing really done for #NYC anyway?
By the same token, when you look closely, what has congestion pricing really done for #NYC anyway?
"Cities are meant to stop traffic. That is their point. That is why they are there. That is why traders put outposts there, merchants put shops there, hoteliers erect inns there. Rationally one wants to have traffic *stop* there, not go *through*."
—Kirkpatrick Sale, Human Scale.
—Kirkpatrick Sale, Human Scale.
January 5, 2026 at 6:11 PM
"Cities are meant to stop traffic. That is their point. That is why they are there. That is why traders put outposts there, merchants put shops there, hoteliers erect inns there. Rationally one wants to have traffic *stop* there, not go *through*."
—Kirkpatrick Sale, Human Scale.
—Kirkpatrick Sale, Human Scale.