Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.
Recent Posts
Obama Wants Car Czar to Accompany Big Three Aid
| | 7 Comments
More details of a possible Obama administration-led auto industry bailout emerged yesterday when Politico reported that the president-elect wants a "high-profile point person to oversee reforms" attached to any financial aid. Specifics about the proposal remain unclear. But the transition team says Obama suggested to President Bush on Monday that aid to the auto industry […]
Pelosi, Reid and Emanuel Push for Carmaker Bailout
| | 27 Comments
Cadillac assembly line replica at the Detroit Historical Museum Over the weekend, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate urged the Bush administration to extend financial aid intended for Wall Street to struggling domestic carmakers, a move that could have the support of President-elect Obama. The Times reports that on Saturday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi […]
Share Your National Vision With the President-Elect
| | 8 Comments
Union Station, Denver, CO With the Obama administration indicating that it may counter the current economic slowdown with much-needed infrastructure investment, Transportation for America has issued a letter calling for the president-elect to "lay the groundwork for a clean-energy future that is less dependent on oil." T4A has set up a page for members of […]
Bike-Hating Rep. Patrick McHenry Fends Off Challenger
| | 4 Comments
Congresswoman-elect Kathy Dahlkemper overcame ridicule for her "wacky" notion that Pennsylvanians should try walking and cycling. But down in western North Carolina, voters returned Rep. Patrick McHenry — shown here mocking, and misrepresenting, the federal bike commuter tax benefit — to Washington. Though his state also went for Barack Obama, the outspoken conservative Republican defeated […]
Sadik-Khan Said to Be Obama Cabinet Contender
| | 16 Comments
Her post-Bloomberg career has been the province of wishful speculation. But a report published today indicates that DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan may be considered for a position in Barack Obama’s Department of Transportation — possibly its top spot. Conventional wisdom held that front runners for transpo secretary were known progressive brands like Reps. Earl Blumenauer […]
Eyes on the Street: Obama Takes Manhattan
| | 4 Comments
A scene from Midtown early this morning, after Barack Obama was named president-elect. On the A downtown from Inwood, new passengers were welcomed with screams and cheers at every stop. It was standing room only by the time the train reached 42 Street. New Yorkers lined the sidewalks in Times Square. Cars rolled through slowly, […]
On Election Eve, Reading the Transpo Tea Leaves
| | 2 Comments
Though we found plenty of fodder this election season, transportation policy never emerged as a consistent talking point in the presidential race. This is more than a little surprising, considering the sad state of American infrastructure and the importance of same to this country’s economic and strategic well-being. Then again, what kind of dialogue can […]
Transit Blamed for Suburban St. Louis Crime
| | 18 Comments
Last week Freakonomics picked up a story from the Riverfront Times that connects an uptick in shoplifting, fighting and other crimes in the St. Louis suburbs to a two-year-old expansion of the city’s MetroLink rail system. Ask virtually any store manager at the Saint Louis Galleria about shoplifting, and you’ll invariably get two responses: One, […]
In New Report, RPA Reinforces Link Between Transit and Growth
| | 10 Comments
Following yesterday’s Build for America launch and last night’s presidential debate, the Regional Plan Association released a major report today recommending an array of public transportation improvements for New York City and northern New Jersey, adding its name to the ever-growing list of orgs and officials calling for federal investment to spur and sustain economic […]
If the Candidates Were Trains…
| | 9 Comments
Image via Caroline McCarthy
Gasoline Shortages Fuel Panic and Rage in the South
| | 7 Comments
Here’s a disturbing story from the Associated Press on gas shortages in Asheville, North Carolina, where hot-tempered drivers are waiting in long lines to fill up, only to find in some cases that the pumps are tapped. Asks one flustered motorist: "What’s wrong with our government? Why are they letting this happen to us?" Maybe […]
Where They Stand: Obama and McCain on Transportation
| | 5 Comments
With a few hours to go until what will be the season’s first presidential debate, we’re looking over a report from the Brookings Institution, which outlines each candidate’s positions on transportation. The six-page report [PDF] holds few if any surprises for Streetsbloggers, but it nicely highlights respective statements from McCain and Obama on topics like […]