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Weekly Roundup: Arlington’s Car-Free Workaround to Mass Transit Systems

Weekly Roundup: Arlington’s Car-Free Workaround to Mass Transit Systems

America’s largest city without a fixed-route public transit system uses on-demand vans and private vehicles to keep its 400,000 residents mobile.

Urbanize Team
December 02, 2025

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📅 Today's Story: Arlington, TX—America’s largest city without a fixed-route public transit system—is relying on on-demand vans and private vehicles to keep its 400,000 residents mobile. A viral video shows how car-free living works in this uniquely transit-absent city.

📝 Editor's Note: Sorry for the delay in the weekly roundup, which normally runs on Mondays. What can we say-that 4-day weekend was very much needed! We hope you all had a great time with friends and family, and some much-needed RnR.

TRANSPORTATION

Arlington’s Car-Free Workaround: Microtransit Over Mass Transit

An Arlington On-Demand van is parked outside the Arlington Highlands shopping center (Source: Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau)

📰 What Happened: Arlington, TX, is officially the largest U.S. city without a fixed-route public transit system. Its 400,000 residents get around with “no trains, no scheduled buses,” and only a microtransit system that’s far from guaranteed. How have they managed to pull this off collectively—and what can other fast-growing metros learn?

🔍 A Closer Look: Aside from the expected rideshares or driving, most residents rely on the city’s newfangled, app-based van service (ironically powered by a New York software company) to fill the transit void. But rides aren’t always reliable or available, making daily errands and appointments a logistical gamble. The city's car-centric layout compounds the challenge for residents without vehicles.

🧠 Why It Matters: Arlington tests the limits of substituting tech for transit infrastructure. As more cities explore microtransit solutions, Arlington serves as a cautionary tale: without dependable fixed-route options, mobility gaps persist, especially for those without cars. For urban planners, it raises another question: How far can cities grow before real transit becomes essential?