Doomsday Across America
Following up on Sarah's post about transit funding woes in Illinois, this CNN segment from earlier in the month brings home the effect of service cuts and fare hikes in St. Louis. Similar scenarios are playing out all over the country. According to the latest tally from Transportation for America, 85 transit systems serving 22 million riders are facing some combination of shrinking service and higher fares.
By
Ben Fried
12:07 PM EDT on April 30, 2009
Following up on Sarah’s post about transit funding woes in Illinois, this CNN segment from earlier in the month brings home the effect of service cuts and fare hikes in St. Louis. Similar scenarios are playing out all over the country. According to the latest tally from Transportation for America, 85 transit systems serving 22 million riders are facing some combination of shrinking service and higher fares.
Let’s not forget that House Democrats tried to include funds for transit
service in the stimulus bill, but never received backing from the White House. Now we’re seeing millions of transit riders grappling with the consequences of that decision.
Ben Fried started as a Streetsblog reporter in 2008 and led the site as editor-in-chief from 2010 to 2018. He lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, with his wife.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog New York City
Winter Is Coming: Will Mamdani Do A Better Job For Bus Riders And Citi Bikers This Year?
Talk about a winter wonder-land — Mayor Mamdani's big snow announcement raises a lot more transportation questions than it answers.
November 9, 2026
Mamdani Needs a Miracle on 34th Street Amid Mystery Delay
Mayor Mamdani "advanced" the 34th Street busway in June, but work on the redesign has yet to get underway as the end of painting season draws closer.
November 9, 2026
MEMO TO MAMDANI: Make Queens Boulevard the City’s First ‘Cycle Super-Highway’
Queens Boulevard is no longer the "boulevard of death," but it's bike lanes could use some improvement.
November 9, 2026
Monday’s Headlines: There’s a Meeting for That Edition
An urgent crisis means an urgent City Council oversight hearing. Plus the news.
November 9, 2026
Some of NYC’s Worst Super Speeders Are City Marshals (You Know, The Guys With Badges)
They get justice for private citizens — yet they endanger them at the same time.
November 6, 2026