Marketplace features Seattle’s transit recovery
Marketplace, an NPR program, ran an expose on our local transit recovery, featuring yours truly. Although I wouldn't necessarily dichotomize myself into the choice rider camp (per Jarrett Walker's analysis on the subject), the segment does a reasonably balanced job highlighting different aspects of transit ridership. I especially appreciated the renewed focus on all-day travel, in particular Link's recovery:
Local bus systems are adjusting to shifting commuter patterns. Express commuter routes from richer suburbs have been trimmed, and transit managers are trying not to touch routes in lower-income areas.
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Ridership on Link is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels... That's mostly thanks to riders like Cantero hitting up sporting events or restaurants or running errands throughout the day. There are fewer commuters, but more all-day travel.It's what gives local transit enthusiasts hope that the region can still be a model for transportation success. There are plans to triple the mileage Link covers in the coming years.