

Public Transit Will Collapse in a Year. Should We Save It?
Oct 8, 2025
U.S. public transit could face collapse by 2026 due to dwindling federal funding. The hosts discuss transit's vital role in mobility and space efficiency, especially for those unable to drive. They debate whether transit should be treated as a charity or essential infrastructure. Acknowledging design failures, they advocate for local solutions and decision-making. The conversation highlights the fragility of transit compared to roadways, stressing that vulnerable communities will suffer first if it fails. The suburban growth model is called into question as they explore future funding alternatives.
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Why Transit Was Funded
- Transit historically justified by space efficiency in dense areas and serving people who cannot drive.
- Post-COVID funding drops and rising operating costs now threaten that model nationwide.
Peak Transportation Empire
- We built an auto-dominant transport empire that's peaked and will likely shrink in coming decades.
- Transit overlays are the most fragile parts and will be the first to recede as funding and capacity decline.
Transit Is Binary, Roads Decay Slowly
- Road maintenance decline is gradual while transit cuts are often binary and immediate.
- That binary nature makes transit vulnerable to funding shocks and service collapse.