Better Buses, Better Cities describes how decision-makers, philanthropists, activists, and public agency leaders can work together to make the bus a win in any city. Learn more and order a copy of the book here.
Steven Higashide, director of research at TransitCenter, explained the powerful impact that fast, frequent and reliable public transit can have on our cities—from providing affordable mobility and equitable access to opportunities, to combating climate change. Higashide also stressed the importance of improving pedestrian infrastructure, since “most bus trips are a walking trip, on at least one end.”
About "Better Buses, Better Cities"
Buses can and should be the cornerstone of urban transportation. They offer affordable mobility and can connect citizens with every aspect of their lives. But in the US, they have long been an afterthought in budgeting and planning. With a compelling narrative and actionable steps, Better Buses, Better Cities inspires us to fix the bus.
Steven Higashide shows us what a successful bus system looks like with real-world stories of reform—such as Houston redrawing its bus network overnight, Boston making room on its streets to put buses first, and Indianapolis winning better bus service on Election Day. Higashide shows how to marshal the public in support of better buses and how new technologies can keep buses on time and make complex transit systems understandable.
Higashide argues the consequences of subpar transit service fall most heavily on vulnerable members of society. Transit systems should be planned to be inclusive and provide better service for all. These are difficult tasks that require institutional culture shifts; doing all of them requires resilient organizations and transformational leadership.
About Steven Higashide
Steven Higashide is one of America’s leading experts on public transportation and the people who use it. As director of research for the national foundation TransitCenter, Higashide has authored groundbreaking reports that have redefined how decision makers and journalists understand transit. He has taken the bus in 29 cities around the U.S. and the world.
About Urban Reads
The Kinder Institute's Urban Reads series showcases recently published works by local and national authors.
This program is eligible for 1.5 CM credits from the American Planning Association.
