National links: Atlanta’s getting more streetcars

Thanks to The Direct Transfer, we’re bringing you a weekly roundup of what’s happening around the country in transportation, land use, and other related areas. Think Breakfast Links, but national and on the weekend!

Network Stars: The Atlanta City Council approved a 50-plus mile streetcar network that includes 22 miles of the long-planned Beltline. The city hopes now that some of the funding can come from a sales tax in 2016. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

“Tale of Two Transit Systems”: Jim Aliosi, the former head of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, says that Boston has two different transit systems: the public system and app-based services. He worries that public fare increases could push higher earners to leave the T in droves. (Commonwealth)

Flip It and Reverse It: In some US cities, like Detroit and Kansas City, many people live in the city but work outside. The city doesn’t collect income tax on that income but still has to provide schools and other services. What can be done? (Governing)

“The Mirror World”: Futurists are calling it “the most sophisticated map ever.” One day there will be a map or even a virtual reality simulation that conveys information about what, exactly, everyone in a city is doing. Could be cool, could be creepy. (Columbus Underground)

Skipping a Beat: Portland Streetcar planners are looking to skip certain stops to speed up service. A month-long trial run will start in February. (Portland Oregonian)

Final Destination: Access to free parking at your final destination, not whether you live close to transit, seems to be a greater determinant of whether you’ll take transit or not. This was the takeaway from new research out of the University of California at Berkeley. (Streetsblog California)

Commercial Density: Up and coming companies in Portland are opting for “20 minute neighborhoods” over suburban campuses. There are concerns, though, that more employment opportunities could lead to displacement of long-time residents. (New York Times)

Quote of the week:

“As Yonah Freemark observes, the biggest chunk of this subsidy comes from a transfer of $53 billion from the Federal Reserve System. In effect, bank robbery is now national policy for road finance.” — Joe Cortright of City Observatory