New Service Changes in 2012 for MCTS

Starting January 29, Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) will be implementing a series of route changes, plus the addition of 3 new MetroExpress Routes:  The Blue Line  (Fond du Lac-National), the Green Line  (Bayshore-Airport), and the Red Line  (Capitol Drive). For details on all upcoming route changes, visit the MCTS website page to access maps, the latest edition of “Bus Lines” the MCTS newsletter, and a 2012 Transit Guide.  You may also find the following links and/or files helpful:

• 2012 Transit System Map
• MCTS Bus Stops by Route List – updated to include all stops per route, per direction and ordered by way of the bus route.
• 2012 Blue Line map with notes
• 2012 Green Line map with notes
• 2012 Red Line map with notes

Also, starting Monday, January 23, MCTS will have a special hotline that will be staffed to answer any questions regarding upcoming service changes. They will be available every day from 6:00am to 6:00pm for a limited time and the number is 414-937-0460.  Scroll down for article links covering both the service change, as well as the switch to a “smart card” fare system.

Other Items of Interest

The National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA) has joined together with a public advocacy campaign, “Public Transportation Takes Us There” to include a number of useful resources and online tools in one website for public transportation riders, advocates and grassroots supporters of transit:

• Contact elected officials and get the latest news from Congress
• Promote public transit with social media
• Build a transit coalition in your community
• Measure the benefits of transit investment in your community

Visit www.publictransportation.org to see the new site and all the features.  To learn more about NAPTA, click here.

And, this article discusses  how demographic shifts continue to impact individual choices when it comes to transportation:  “Driving has lost its cool for young Americans”

Stay tuned for more updates as they happen!

Moving Forward Together
Coalition For Advancing Transit (CAT)

ARTICLES & INFORMATION:

• “Speed up smart card system for buses”  (JS Online 1/19/12)
• “Transit system’s ‘smart card’ fare system two years away”  (JS Online 1/18/12)
• “New Year will bring changes to Milwaukee County Transit”  (JS Online 12/29/11)
• “Cutting bus service painful”  (Letter to the Editor JS Online 12/27/11)

2011- Preserving Transit in our Communities

In 2011, public transit advocates across the state of Wisconsin faced huge challenges in terms of preserving service and capital improvements in the face of anticipated reductions in state funding and tough local budget situations.  These included:

• A 10% cut in state transit aid, leading to deep cuts in service for bus systems across the State.
• All RTAs created or enabled in the 2009-11 Budget were repealed. Future RTAs will require a binding referendum for creation.
• The transit capital bonding program for SE Wisconsin was eliminated.

However, advocates worked hard with local and state elected officials to ensure that:

• Transit remained in the segregated transportation fund – incredibly important for maintaining state support for transit in Wisconsin.
• Transit workers were exempted from the collective bargaining provisions in the Budget Repair Bill, which kept $48 million in federal transit aids intact for WI transit systems.
• A new $5 million para-transit fund was created that will assist in keeping vital services in place.
• Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) did not implement major service cuts for 2012, using funds allocated towards the now dissolved KRM project to offset the cut in state aid and keep most bus and paratransit services intact for the next 2 years.
• MCTS also worked to streamline some routes and implement 3 new Express Service routes.

With the economy and jobs continuing to be an area of major concern, transit coalition members and partners were able to convince local elected officials that public transit is vital to our economy and this resonated statewide.  Many thanks to the community and business leaders, elected officials, and citizen advocates who worked together to effectively push back on historic attempts to sideline transit!

November 14^th Transit Coalition Meeting Summary

Thanks to those who joined us and the members of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) for an informational meeting, “Building Aging-Friendly Communities with Transit and Why it Matters to You.”  Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett joined Nino Amato (CWAG), Anita Gulotta-Connelly (WURTA), Jeramey Jannene (UrbanMilwaukee) and Kerry Thomas (Transit Now/CAT) to discuss:

• How important a balanced transportation system is to a thriving economy and community, particularly one that offers people choices to get around (bus, car, bike, streetcar, etc.)
• The impact of demographic shifts – investing in public transit is both an opportunity to appeal to younger generations that are choosing not to own a car, and a way to fulfill the responsibility we have to ensure aging-friendly communities.
• How increased poverty and the widening income gap affects people’s transportation choices and employment opportunities.
• Continuing to focus on building our transit coalition and broaden support for the needed changes to ensure dedicated local funding for local transit.  In 2011 we saw our Coalition connect both rural and urban transit issues.
• An overview of the changes expected in 2012 for MCTS after the County Budget was passed, including an explanation of three new express routes.

Below are links to the materials and presentations that were utilized at the meeting – feel free to share!

Lastly, MCTS offers FREE rides on New Year’s Eve, courtesy of Miller Lite.  Free rides begin at 8:00pm and run until the end of regular service, except for 13 routes, which extend service until 4:00am.  Visit the MCTS Website for details and route information.

Thanks again for another year of strong and engaged advocacy on behalf of transit and Happy New Year!

Moving Forward Together
Coalition For Advancing Transit (CAT)

November 14^th Meeting Materials:

• 2012 MCTS Budget Summary  (updated by Transit Now)
• Transit Is Essential Fact Sheet   (updated by CAT & Transit Now)
• MCTS in 2012 & Express Routes Overview  (Presentation J. Jannene)
• Public Transit In Wisconsin Flyer  (from WURTA)
• Bus Capital Impacts Flyer  (from WURTA)
• WI Public Transit Systems Map & Highlights  (from WURTA)
• WHO Age-Friendly Cities Conference Program (from CWAG)

Public Transportation Meetings – Nov 14 and 16

Join us! Building Aging-Friendly Communities with Transit and Why it Matters to You

Monday, November 14, 2011 from 8:30am to 10:30am 

Presented in partnership with the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG), Coalition for Advancing Transit (CAT) and Transit Now

Registration and Meet & Greet with Refreshments at 8:30am.  The program will begin at 9:00am and will include:

• Presentation by Mayor Tom Barrett
• Update on changes expected to the Milwaukee County Transit System in 2012, including the proposed express buses
• State legislative update and insights
• A look ahead for transit issues in 2012

NOTE: The CWAG Membership Meeting will follow from 10:45am to Noon.  It is open to the public & interested CWAG Members.

Held at Manpower International: 100 Manpower Place, Milwaukee  MAP
East of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (3rd Street), off of Cherry Street and just north of downtown Milwaukee.
Parking is available on Cherry Street and in the Visitors Lot north of the building (on Cherry).
Bus routes 19, 80, 57 and 15 all run near Manpower. Visit http://www.ridemcts.com/ to plan your trip.

Please RSVP to Kristi at kristi@uedawi.org or (414)562-9904 by Thursday, November 10, 2011. 

Milwaukee Streetcar Public Hearing – Environmental Assessment
Wednesday, November 16 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm at the Frontier Airlines Center

The EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the construction and operation of a Streetcar in Downtown Milwaukee.
For more information visit:  http://www.themilwaukeestreetcar.com/public-notice.php

2012 County Budget Vote, Upcoming Meeting

As the 2012 County Budget process began, the bus system was slated for deep cuts as a result of a reduction in state funding and other factors.  However, the County Executive and County Board listened to the concerns of citizens and business.  They found a way to keep most bus and paratransit services intact for 2 more years, AND improve express services. (Scroll down to learn more.)

Jobs and the economy continue to be a major concern, with County Executive Abele noting that “This is one of the services the county provides that is ‘crucial’ to the local economy.” In October Milwaukee County was notified that they received $12.7 million in federal funds for new express bus routes. These funds come from Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding left over from the defunct KRM (Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee) commuter rail project.

If approved, this would create three new express routes in Milwaukee County that connect UW-Milwaukee to  124^th Street along Capitol Drive, from Bayshore Town Center to Mitchell International Airport (Route 15), and along Fond du Lac Avenue’s Route 23.  The folks at UrbanMilwaukee.com put together a great summary of these routes with a map, particularly Route 15: http://bit.ly/twGZBz

WHAT CAN YOU DO ?

The County Board votes on the 2012 Budget THIS Monday, November 7.  TODAY is the last day to contact them and let them know you support our bus system.  Tell them you support the express bus plan – it will enhance service AND preserve most of the routes and services that were proposed for elimination just weeks ago.  Your voice is very important!

• Call the County Board at 414-278-4222  and ask to be connected to your supervisor’s office.
• If your supervisor is not there, it’s fine to leave a voicemail.  Email is also a good way to contact your supervisor too –visit our Contact Elected Officials page for a list of County Supervisors and their contact information.
• Contact County Executive Abele and thank him for his hard work to preserve and maintain our transit system.  Call, email or write him a letter.

Join us on Monday, November 14 from 9:00-11:00am

We are partnering with the Coalition for Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) and Transit Now to hold an informational meeting:  “Building Aging-Friendly Communities with Transit and Why it Matters to You.”  Mayor Tom Barrett will be there to speak about transportation and there will be a brief overview on the new express bus plan, legislative issues on the horizon and more.  It is FREE and open to the public.  Registration and meet-and-greet will begin at 8:30am.  Registration information will follow early next week.

What’s Next?

This funding also gives Milwaukee County a reprieve with a 2-year window that will allow us to continue working towards a long-term funding solution for our local bus systems.  Stay tuned – many partners in the transit coalition are working hard on a strategy to accomplish this.

ARTICLES & INFORMATION

• Citiwire Post  10/22/11:  Transit systems in peril – Why Care?
• MCTS New Express Bus Route Plan Information
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 10/27/11:  Milwaukee County to get $127 million for express bus routes
• BizTime 10/27/11: Milwaukee County to get $127 million for express bus routes
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Letter to the Editor 10/20/11: “The Invisible Bus”
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Op-Ed 10/17/11:  “Disability and employment”
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 10/18/11:  Planners recommend bus system get $11.8 million in federal funds

Route 15 Listening Session Tonight, Budget Hearing next week

SUPERVISORS TO HOST INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON PROPOSED EXPRESS BUS SERVICE

Milwaukee County Supervisors Marina Dimitrijevic, Patricia Jursik and Jason Haas will host an information session regarding the changes to Route 15 and the proposed express bus service included in the County Executive’s 2012 Recommended Budget.

The proposed Express Route 15 would impact Milwaukee’s south side, other south shore communities, and General Mitchell International Airport. The proposal also includes changes to the current Route 15.

In addition to the Supervisors, representatives from the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) will be on hand to present detailed information and answer questions from the public.

Monday, October 24, 2011
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Bay View Library (accessible from MCTS Route 15)
2566 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue, Milwaukee

Also, next week there is another budget hearing being held.

County Executive’s 2012 Recommended Budget Hearing
Monday, October 31, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W Vliet St.

(includes amendments by the Finance & Audit Committee)
County Executives 2012 Recommended Budget

Click here to learn how you can express your support for transit at these important budget hearings!

County Budget Hearings Underway – Action Needed!

The Milwaukee County Board is holding hearings on the 2012 County Budget proposed by County Executive Chris Abele.  Maintaining public transportation services has been a key part of the debate.  We need all transit advocates to contact local elected officials and let them know how important it is to preserve transit services in 2012!

Milwaukee County Finance and Audit Committee Budget Hearing:
Monday, October 17 at 9:00a.m.
Department of Transportation and Public Works
Milwaukee County Transit/Paratransit System (transit is first on the agenda so be sure to get there early!)

ATTEND IF YOU CAN AND SPEAK OUT FOR TRANSIT!  Let us know if you do.  Held in Room 203-R, at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, 901 North 9th Street, Milwaukee  MAP

Contact your Milwaukee County Representatives!

Ask them to maintain bus service – both routes and frequency.  When service is cut, not only does this curb the independence of many individuals in our community, but it also means that people cannot get to work, school, medical appointments, shopping centers and more. Transit is the backbone of a strong local economy!  Tell them your story of why we cannot afford any cuts to transit service.

Click HERE to visit our 2012 Milwaukee County Budget & Transit page for details and how to contact them.

Write a Letter to the Editor

Reach out to local media and let everyone else know why you support public transportation and preserving our bus system.  Tell them your story why cuts to service and 2012 will harm our community.  Click HERE to visit our Media Outreach page for more information on how to do this.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE NEWS

• Journal Sentinel (10/9/11) : Gas tax short of covering roads
• WUWM (9/29/11): Transit Union calls for dedicated bus funding
• Biz Journal (9/28/11): Abele’s County Budget to avoid transit cuts
• Journal Sentinel (9/28/11): Abele’s  plan taps federal funds to save bus lines
• Journal Sentinel (9/27/11): Transit Needs Adequate Funding
• Journal Sentinel Editorial (9/27/11):  Transit needed for jobs
• Journal Sentinel (9/25/2011): Transit cuts put jobs out of reach of workers without cars

Public weighs in on potential cuts in bus service

Over the past few weeks, the impact of cuts in state funding and a lack of dedicated funding for our local bus systems were the subject of a series of public listening sessions.  Individuals and groups spoke to local elected officials about their concerns if bus service and paratransit service were reduced further.  Scroll down for links to articles and other media that covered the issue.

The Milwaukee County Board Committee on Finance and Audit are holding public Listening Sessions on September 14, 21 and 26.  This is a great opportunity for you to show your suppport and concern for bus service!  Click here for details.

Also, the UWM Center for Economic Development released a new study of the Milwaukee County Transit System.  “An Analysis of the Impact of Proposed 2012 Milwaukee County Transit Service Reductions on Access to Employment,” finds that proposed cuts for 2012 would result in the loss of bus service to 997 employers in the Milwaukee metro area.  At a minimum, 13,553 jobs in locations currently served by the transit system would become inaccessible by transit.  The study demonstrates how important a transit system is to the economic health of our region.  Access the full study at the UWM CED website.

We encourage you to stay engaged in this issue as Milwaukee County elected officials move forward with the 2012 budget process.  Remember to contact your elected officials with your concerns and support for transit and buses – we will keep you updated as things happen.

Moving Forward Together
Coalition for Advancing Transit

ARTICLES & INFORMATION

• “County wants former KRM money for express bus routes: 3 lines would be converted, offsetting cut in state aid”  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 9/15/11
• “Citizens share their views of Milwaukee’s Transit future”  Third Coast Digest 9/15/11
• “Abele: Tough Choices on County Budget”  WUWM’s Lake Effect 9/13/11
• The Business Journal “CRE Guide Take 5” with Joel Rast, Director of the UWM Center for Economic Development  9/6/11
• “Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, the County Board and state legislators should do what’s necessary to keep the buses running in Milwaukee”  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial 9/6/11
• “Milwaukee County Transit System running on fumes”  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 9/4/11
• “A balanced approach: Milwaukee County’s fiscal challenges should be met by a balanced approach of service cuts, efficiency – and maybe a tax hike”  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial 9/3/11

Join us! Milwaukee Co. 2012 Budget Listening Sessions

Public Transit is a vital part of out area’s mobility and economy. Proposed transit changes in 2012 Milwaukee County budget would bring the potential for harmful service cuts…..and also helpful cost-saving efficiencies. Join Us!

• Learn about the proposal to reduce and restructure Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS)
• How could changes impact businesses access to workers and customers? Will individuals access to jobs, shopping, healthcare and other critical destinations for an independent and productive life be impacted?
• Share your insights and feedback
• Find out ways that you can have a voice in the plan

C.A.T. and Transit Now submitted a joint letter to the County Executive expressing our concerns with the 2012 proposed budget.  Click here to read it, which was published on 8/25/11 in the BizTimes BizBlog.

Today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinal article provides a update on how this process has gone so far:  Milwaukee County leaders explore bus transit funding (9/2/11)

Budget Listening Sessions will be held in September- CLICK HERE for a full list of dates, times and more information on the proposed 2012 budget.

2012 Milwaukee County Budget – Transit Impacted

Since the State Budget process concluded at the end of June, we are starting to see what the policy changes will mean for local communities in Wisconsin.  We thank you for your continued support and efforts over the past 6-8 months as we’ve worked to ensure that our local transit systems remain intact.

Throughout this time, our vision for an efficient regional transit network that builds prosperity in neighborhoods and business districts has not changed despite these challenges.  Fundamentally, this means we will continue to work to preserve and strengthen local transit systems, while keeping our eye on the potential to continue working to establish a Regional Transit Authority for SE WI.

2012 Milwaukee County Budget
To cope with a 10% cut in State transit aids, the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) has recommended the largest one-time reduction of service in its 150-year history, affecting nearly all routes.  (Visit our new webpage to see details on these cuts or view the Milwaukee County 2012 Budget Summary).

The depth and speed of these proposed service changes and reductions will most likely have a negative impact on the economic recovery in SE WI.  Now is the time to learn more and have a voice in the shape of transportation in Milwaukee County.

What Can You Do?

There are several opportunities to learn more about the proposed budgets, voice your opinion to elected officials, and help shape transportation in Milwaukee County.  Please attend and speak up at these important budget dialogs.

Milwaukee County Executive Budget Listening Sessions 
will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug 24 and 25 and stay tuned for details on two upcoming Community Sessions in early September.  Click here for more details.

Also, if you are from Milwaukee County, it is important that your elected representatives hear from you about your concerns.  Send them a letter or call them and let them know you want transit services to remain intact.  We have updated our website to include contact information for Milwaukee County representatives.

Other Updates

Scroll down for a list of articles and links – the State budget gave us both major wins for transit along with huge challenges.  For example, the KRM Commuter project is now on hold and the Milwaukee Streetcar project advanced…a busy year indeed.

As we move forward, C.A.T. continues to inform and engage people on the need for an affordable and efficient regional transit system.  This will open up job and education opportunities, spur economic development, and help revitalize neighborhoods and business districts in SE WI – along one of the State’s most important economic corridors.

We will keep you informed as the 2012 County Budget moves forward – our website has Fact Sheets and other information about what we can expect in terms of the impact on our local transit systems.

Moving Forward Together
Coalition for Advancing Transit

ARTICLES & LINKS

• State Budget Leaves Huge Challenges for Local Transit:  Transit Now update June 2011
• “Transit Secrets: Learning From Hong Kong:  (Alex Marshall, Citiwire 8/5/11)
• SERTA disbanded and KRM Commuter rail project “on hold indefinitely”:  Transit Now update August 2011 and JS Online article 7/25/11
• Milwaukee Streetcar project advances: (Daily Reporter 7/26/11)
• “Rail projects differ, but political divide follows unswerving tracks”  (JS Online 7/24/11)
• Amtrak Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago receives state funds (JS Online 7/19/11) and loses federal dollars (JS Online 5/9/11)
• “Transportation Funds Fight: Any Way Out?  (Neal Peirce, Citiwire 7/16/11)
• Federal Transportation bill up for reauthorization – cuts of up to 30% proposed:  (APTA update 7/7/11)
• “State budget cuts transit funding but it could have been worse”  (JS Online 7/6/11)
• “One Key to Economic Growth”  (Transit – JS Online 7/5/11)
• “SE WI Leaders ask State to Restore Mass Transit Funding”  (BizTimes 6/14/11)
• “Seniors, disabled rely on transit”  (JS Online 6/13/11)
• AltTransport: A site dedicated to giving you the latest news and analysis on the shift towards smarter and more efficient modes of transportation.  (http://alttransport.com/)

State legislators to act on budget next week…act now!

Thanks for all of your work on transit over the past months and weeks!  Although this has been a tough budget cycle, we do have some wins to celebrate.  Two weeks ago the Joint Finance Committee voted on key transportation provisions, including a very big vote to keep transit in the Transportation Fund (this is very positive news!) and the creation of a $5 million fund for para-transit over the next two years.

However, a few key items remain unresolved that could have a detrimental impact on local transit systems in WI.  Many legislators are still discussing options, which include:

• How to reduce the 10% cut in transit aids.

• Addressing the collective bargaining changes so that Federal funding of some $46 million in transit aid is not affected or jeopardized.

Our State Legislators need to hear loud and clear how integral keeping our transit systems intact is to a growing economy.  Now is the time to reach out and remind them of the benefits of transit and the consequences of transit cuts.  Legislators will go into caucus early next week and begin voting on the State Budget.

Take Action!  Now’s the time to show transit has strong support.

Contact one or more of these legislators by THIS Tuesday, June 14 and ask them to preserve our transit systems.  Thank them for their hard work – we kept transit in the transportation fund but we need them to go further.

• Your Assembly Representative and State Senator – find their information here.
• Assembly Speaker, Jeff Fitzgerald:  Rep.Fitzgerald@legis.wisconsin.gov or Phone: 608-266-2540
• Assembly Republican Caucus Chair, Joan Ballweg (District 41):  Rep.Ballweg@legis.wisconsin.gov or Phone: 1-888-534-0041

TALKING POINTS:

1. We need to restore the 10% cut in State transit aids – only $12 million (or 5%) out of the $6.4 billion Transportation fund will keep our local transit systems at the current level and able to cope with rising fuel prices, while providing essential services.
2. We need to remove transit workers from the collective bargaining provisions so that WI does not forfeit $46 million in Federal transit funds

Or, write a Letter to the Editor – state why you think transit is so important to our State’s economy and quality of life.  Visit our Media Outreach and Facts pages for tips and talking points.

Lastly, scroll down for links to many transit-related articles, radio shows and upcoming events such as June 16 – National Dump the Pump Day.  The latest Transit Savings Report from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) shows that a two person household that downsizes to one car can save — on the average — more than $10,000 a year.

Don’t forget to contact your legislators by Tuesday, June 14!  We will keep you updated as the budget process continues.  Thank you for your hard work and support!

Moving Forward Together
The Coalition for Advancing Transit

ARTICLES & INFORMATION

Dump the Pump Day-June 16, 2011 – National Dump the Pump Day encourages people to ride public transportation (instead of driving) and save money.   Riding public transit is one way to beat high gas prices.   Visit www.PublicTransportation.org to access Fuel and Carbon Savings Calculators and more…

WUWM Project Milwaukee “Southern Connection” series (June 6-10):  A series of stories discussing the benefits and drawbacks of linking Milwaukee and Chicago in a regional corridor.  Most of these stories discuss transportation, including a special forum of civic leaders, planners and business leaders.  On their page, click on “Radio Reports” and other links to learn more.

• Joy Cardin Show, Wisconsin Public Radio (6/10/11):  WISPIRG’s “Great Wisconsin Pothole Tour”
• Huffington-Post (6/6/11):  “Low-Income Workers Cut Off From New Jobs by Lack of Public Transit”
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Letter to the Editor (5/29/11): “Cuts could shrink her world”
• Citiwire Blog (5/26/11):  “Public Transit, Access to Jobs: Escaping our ‘Exit Ramp’ Economy”
• Wisconsin Radio Network (5/25/11): “Call to restore transit cuts”
• Racine Journal Times Commentary (5/24/11):  “We urge Joint Finance Committee to restore transit funding”
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (5/23/11):  “Milwaukee-area leaders call for more transit aid”
• The Business Journal (5/23/11):  “Milwaukee officials want more bus money”
• BizTimes BizBlog by Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele (5/24/11):  “The state should not cut Milwaukee County’s transit aid”  NOTE: This is a post of a letter sent to State legislators and co-signed by the County Executive and other community leaders