Ian Griffiths

Singapore is a transit mecca. As someone coming from the US, it challenges a lot of the assumptions we often hear about how transit “should” work. A few observations…🧵

@Lusty__Karma @debora_allen1 @sfchronicle @SFBART I’d say that’s a very worthwhile investment. Think of the incredible benefits it’s delivered to our region during that period for such a low cost. Voters approved each of those tax extensions overwhelmingly so they must think it’s worth it too.

@icgee @debora_allen1 @sfchronicle @SFBART The system was built by a 0.5% sales tax that was sold to taxpayers as temporary in the sixties, never sunset, and then extended permanently in the mid seventies to this very day. Now they need to DOUBLE it to keep operating their failtrains that too few people even ride.

The @sfchronicle is pushing BART's narrative hard on that upcoming tax measure. Don’t fall for the shell game when they say @SFBART is a cost-efficient #transit system based on “operating cost per passenger mile.” What they conveniently omit is that this cherry-picked stat ignores the hundreds of billions in capital costs to build and maintain heavy rail infrastructure and cars. It’s an apples-to-oranges comparison. That’s why Caltrain ranks low in cost PPM too—heavy rail equals massive hidden infrastructure bills. Voters deserve the full picture before approving more taxes.

About a ~ dozen years ago it became clear to me it is physically impossible for autonomous cars to solve most of the problems caused by cars, but also, the people who think otherwise would probably have to figure it out on their own. Welp. They're figuring it out on their own.

Waymo costs $97 more (13× the price) and still 9 minutes slower than Caltrain on the same San Francisco → Palo Alto route (despite having Waymo freeway access and this Caltrain being local)

Best sign ever from Alberta teachers strike.

@RM_Transit He also ripped off one of my blog posts/twitter threads with no attribution

LinkedIn is the worst

@jasminewsun My take it’s a nice logo, just not for a transit agency trying to project a modern and efficient image. It literally looks goofy and circuitous rather than clean direct and efficient.

the MUNI logo is truly one of the all-time best

@humantransit It also seemed especially expensive in 2023 as well. I recall $32 chili.

Switzerland is always expensive but seems especially expensive on this trip. I wonder if every credit card machine is adding an invisible tariff retaliation fee on US cards. It's the sort of thing the Swiss would think of, and that I couldn't blame them for.

May you never fiddle with a @SFBART ticket machine adding cash in $1 and $$0.05 increments ever again. #creditcardsontransit

Flying to Victoria today and I’m shocked at how poor the transit is serving YYJ. One hourly bus line, the 88, runs on Saturdays - and still forces a transfer to get to downtown on the 70 at Mctavish Exch. It’s not a timed connection, so at 4pm, it’s a 55min transfer! 😞

This is such a big deal and kudos to all the organizations that were part of bringing out riders to speak up in support of transit funding. NOW let’s pass this measure!!!

Many TBM naming competitions are silly, but “Diggy Scardust” stands apart. It is probably the most clever name ever given to a tunnel boring machine. I do not foresee ever topping it. Thinking about getting some posters (or t-shirts) made. Who wants one?

What can California learn from transit in Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan? Join us for a @seamlessbayarea webinar next week with me and two esteemed guests! @CPCSTranscom

San Mateo County representatives must sign on to the regional transportation funding measure to save BART, Caltrain, and all Bay Area public transit! Join this rally next Tuesday to make sure they hear our message.

With California’s SB 125 Transit Transformation Task Force nearing completion in the coming months, the state has a unique window to advance critical reforms. Let’s not shy away from creating stronger government in California--inspired by South Korea's incredible success. 11/11

California’s new approach to the State Rail Plan, laying out a clear long-term service-based vision, and is a strong first step. Korea demonstrates that, in addition to a clear, common vision, aligned strong institutions with sufficient expertise and capacity are key to success.

"Strong government" is absolutely essential to being able to deliver transformative, cost-effective transportation projects--this is one of the conclusions from my research trip to South Korea. But what does strong government mean? 1/x @seamlessbayarea seamlessbayarea.org/blog/2025/5/31…