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Transportation

E-cargo bikes could be coming to a bike lane near you

by Kai Ryssdal and Sofia Terenzio
Jun 4, 2024
Will these smaller, lower-emissions vehicles compete with trucks in making last-mile deliveries in urban areas?
E-cargo bikes are electric "micromobility" vehicles that can deliver goods to homes.
John Keeble/Getty Images
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Amtrak wants to build a bullet train in Texas. Could it kickstart a rail revolution?

by Pablo Arauz Peña
May 10, 2024
The project would cut the Dallas-to-Houston trip to 90 minutes. It’s one of a few high-speed rail projects that’s been getting attention lately.
Japan Central’s N700 high-speed train, above, would be the same train used for the Texas Central railway between Houston and Dallas.
Courtesy Texas Central
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The pneumatic tube business isn't dead yet

by Matthew Algeo
Apr 25, 2024
Hospitals still use the tubes for moving medicines and samples. But sales are now higher thanks to cannabis dispensaries.
Scott Rudder demonstrating the pneumatic tube system at Township Green, his cannabis dispensary in Riverside, New Jersey.
Matthew Algeo/Marketplace
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Baltimore Bridge Collapse

The loss of Baltimore's bridge has snarled traffic. How do commuters cope?

by Stephanie Hughes
Apr 9, 2024
Previously, 30,000 cars and trucks would traverse the Francis Scott Key daily. Now all those vehicles have to find other routes.
About 30,000 vehicles used to travel the Key Bridge every day. Now all those cars and trucks have to find other routes.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
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E-scooter firms set out to revolutionize transportation. Instead, many are collapsing.

by Henry Epp
Dec 21, 2023
One of the industry's biggest players — Bird — was a pre-pandemic "unicorn" that grew to be worth upwards of $1 billion. Now it's bankrupt.
Pre-pandemic, Bird was worth over $1 billion. Now, it's filed for bankruptcy.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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High-speed rail — environmentally friendly and popular worldwide — has a hard time in the U.S.

by Stephanie Hughes
Dec 8, 2023
The Biden administration's pouring billions into it, but that's a drop in the bucket compared to the total cost.
Though high-speed rail is common in Europe and Asia, most Americans lack access to it.
Bastien Inzaurralde/AFP via Getty Images
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Inside the evolving infrastructure of Laredo, the No 1. port in the U.S.

by Elizabeth Trovall
Nov 14, 2023
With tens of thousands of trucks passing through Laredo each day, bridges and roads are critical to this center of North American trade.
About 10,000 northbound trucks pass through the Port of Laredo each day, a number expected to grow as trade between the U.S. and Mexico increases.
Elizabeth Trovall/Marketplace
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More private companies are investing in passenger rail — here's why

by Henry Epp
Aug 28, 2023
Passenger rail needs a public subsidy to work, experts say.
Private company Brightline planned to extend its passenger rail line in Florida, but this extension has been delayed.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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Cars: Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em

by Kai Ryssdal and Livi Burdette
Aug 15, 2023
Affordability has broken down, but the costs of not having your own vehicle are even higher for many. Marin Cogan of Vox explains.
The average new car costs a record $48,000 — up 25% between May 2020 and May 2023. During the same time, used car prices soared 50%.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
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Istanbul taxi shortage leaves riders, drivers fuming

by Victoria Craig
Aug 4, 2023
Drivers often choose customers who give them bigger fares. The transportation problem may be linked to national politics. 
Taxicabs line up during rush hour in Istanbul. Customers say if they want to go a short distance, an available driver won’t agree to the small fare.
Victoria Craig/Marketplace
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