The Interchange

Intersections between Donald Trump’s agenda, proposed transit funding cuts, rollbacks of walkability measures, oil industry interests, and union busting shape debates over U.S. mobility and labor. Policy moves that curtail support for transit and pedestrian infrastructure align with fossil-fuel priorities and diminished worker power, linking transportation investment to broader economic and political strategies.

Transportation Secretary Duffy faces claims that New York transit is being used as leverage in negotiations over the direction of America’s transportation priorities. Critics argue decisions affecting New York transit riders are positioned as a bargaining chip to influence funding and policy outcomes across the country, raising concerns about regional equity and the stability of transit commitments.

U.S. cities weigh converting temporary pedestrian pop-up installations into permanent street changes that prioritize walking. Efforts consider legal authority, street design standards, maintenance responsibilities, and community support to determine whether short-term car-free activations can transition into lasting pedestrian infrastructure within existing planning and regulatory frameworks.

Derek Barrs becomes administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation. The role oversees national trucking safety and the regulation of commercial motor carriers, influencing enforcement priorities, compliance standards, and industry operations across interstate freight and passenger transport.