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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

What Happened to L.A.’s Public Transit?

The U.S. spends more on public transportation than most European and Asian countries, but it gets much less bang for its buck. History and geography are part of the explanation: American cities are younger than the European capitals, which were built for walking. Meanwhile, our sprawling suburbs seem to call for automobiles to connect them.

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By Madeleine Brand • Aug 10, 2015 • 1 min read

The U.S. spends more on public transportation than most European and Asian countries, but it gets much less bang for its buck. History and geography are part of the explanation: American cities are younger than the European capitals, which were built for walking. Meanwhile, our sprawling suburbs seem to call for automobiles to connect them. But that isn’t the whole story. Many American cities, including Los Angeles, once had thriving public transit. So what happened?

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Matt Holzman

    Producer, 'The Document'

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Anna Scott

    Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

  • KCRW placeholder

    Jolie Myers

    Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

  • KCRW placeholder

    Peter Norton

    associate professor of history at the University of Virginia’s Department of Engineering and Society

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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand