Author Archives: Tessa Zavala

What’s happening? The 2020 resurgence of Black Lives Matters and increased awareness of civil justice issues has towns and states taking actions to make things better. Dumfries Virginia is renaming a road into a historic freed slave community. Why is this important? Local governments are digging into their histories. These council members discovered that a […]

What’s happening? When the pandemic began, Kansas City, KS waived all mass transit costs. Why is this important? The pandemic highlighted the impact of transportation costs on essential workers like grocery store cashiers. The policy question became whether that essential worker should use her limited resources for mass transit fees or to put food on […]

What’s happening? Meet this 22 year old Texas Company- Hitch. Hitch is solving a transportation issue that isn’t currently covered- long-haul ride share and same-day courier service Why is this important? Hitch is growing 50% month over month this year. Same day delivery services in Texas largest 11 cities is 50% of the usual suspects. […]

What’s happening? Meet Trucks Venture Capital, a fund that focuses on early-stage entrepreneurs in transportation. Its new follow-on fund, Trucks Growth Fund, will provide later-stage capital. Why is this important? Follow the money to funding safer, cleaner and more accessible transportation. We’re talking automated vehicles, microtransit and delivery services too. How will this be important? […]

What’s happening? The Port of Long Beach is not imposing its emissions tax on trucks that are fueled by natural gas. Why is this important? The emissions fee is expected to generate $80 million in year 1. How will this be important? The Long Beach Port has a Clean Air Action plan that calls for […]

What’s happening? New data from Houston, Texas shows that after ride share companies entered Houston, injuries from drunk driving decreased according to a new study by Dr. Christopher Conner, a neurosurgery resident at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston and lead author of the report, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association’s surgery […]

What’s happening? Meet Kaptyn Inc., a a reservation-based premium transportation option, that acquired in 2019 a large group of Las Vegas taxicab companies Why is this important? The timing shift from on demand to reservation is key to its concierge transportation business model. Additionally, it employs 150 full-time drivers who receive benefits. How will this […]

What’s happening? During the Pandemic, NV Governor Executive order limited surge pricing by ride share to provide some stability for tourism. Why is this important? NV learned from its experience. Drivers are hesitant to return in Las Vegas increasing waiting times to 30 minutes. NV could again impose a ban on surge pricing but any […]

What’s happening? Congress for the New Urbanism released its report “Freeways Without Futures” that identifies 15 highways that were built by taking BIPOC land and by their removal could make the cities the highways serve more  healthy, vibrant, and prosperous. Last week in remembrance of the Tulsa massacre we heard about I-244. But, in Austin, […]

What’s happening? Since Black Lives Matters captured the ethos a year ago, government planning has included addressing historic inequalities and marginalization. Enter Colorado’s SB21-260 (2021 | CO) that would create a $209 million fund that would pay for pollution- and traffic-reduction initiatives. Why is this important? The bill supporters say its time for community-impact considerations […]