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We’re reaching out to you about an upcoming transportation event you won’t want to miss! And be sure to scroll down for some of the latest articles on transit and transportation – Milwaukee County Transit has recently announced two new routes and other changes that should enhance the bus system for the next few years. However, the long-term strategy remains a regional transit authority and dedicated local funding. Read more below:VISION 2050 Public Workshop: Wednesday, September 24 at 3:30pmThe VISION 2050 regional planning process is in it’s next phase: SKETCH SCENARIOS. These scenarios emphasize the kinds of transit investments that could be made in our region over the next 35 years – your input is critical!
Over the past year, UEDA has partnered with the Southeastern Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) to host 2 public workshops, inviting members of the Coalition for Advancing Transit and the UEDA Community to provide their feedback on land use and transportation plans for Southeast Wisconsin. In short, working together to decide what type of future our Region holds in store!
This is your chance to provide important feedback on regional transit investments. Workshops are being held throughout the region this month; please join us on Wednesday, September 24th at 3:30pm and invite your friends and colleague as it is open to the public. (Scroll down for details)
So far, we’ve participated in visioning exercises and provided feedback on guiding statements – now it’s time to explore a series of conceptual, sketch-level scenarios. These scenarios illustrate five potential land development patterns and transportation systems for the Region in the year 2050.Attendees will:
- Receive information about how each scenario would likely perform, weighing the benefits, impacts and costs associated with each one
- Compare the 5 scenarios with fellow residents in small groups
- Provide their opinion on the most important factors to consider when comparing scenarios
Your participation will help SEWRPC reach the next phase: developing more detailed alternative land use and transportation plans.
So join us on Wednesday, September 24th at 3:30pm!
3:30pm to 5:30pm
At ManpowerGroup, 100 Manpower Place, Milwaukee
REGISTER HERE
Refreshments will be provided
At ManpowerGroup, 100 Manpower Place, Milwaukee
REGISTER HERE
Refreshments will be provided
Location Information:
Manpower is located east of Dr. Martin Luther King 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 Green line all run nearby. Visit www.ridemcts.com to plan your trip.
Moving Forward Together
Coalition for Advancing Transit
Coalition for Advancing Transit
IN THE NEWS
Eyes on Milwaukee’s New Bus System (Urban Milwaukee 9/10/14)
Milwaukee needs more transportation options (JSOnline Editorial 9/2/14)
Regional surveys show generational divide in highway, transit debate (The Business Journal 7/29/14
The Bus to Nowhere (Milwaukee Magazine 7/28/14)
Lawsuit prompts funding of city buses out to suburbs (Express Milwaukee 5/28/14)
The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee is holding 4 public hearings on the Biennial Budget Bill. These hearings provide an opportunity to testify before legislators who will make critical spending decisions on transit. The SE Wisconsin hearing is on:
Thursday, April 4 from 10am to 6pm
At Greendale High School, 6801 Southway, Greendale MAP
Scroll down for more information on talking points and tips for testifying. If you are not able to testify at the hearing, send your comments to the committee members via email, phone or mail.
Also, share this information about transit with associates and friends!
Regional Transit Initiative Policy Platform and Joint Finance Committee Contact Information
Find your State Legislator here or call 1-800-362-9472
Transit is vital to so many aspects of the economy and community of SE Wisconsin, and yet the 2013-15 state budget bill, AB40, continues the harmful 10% cut to transit funding made in the 2011-13 state budget. It also undermines the future of transit by moving transit out of the segregated transportation fund into the general fund where is will be competing with every non-transportation program.
Without a change, communities in SE WI and across the state will continue to lose essential mobility. Milwaukee County faces a particularly devastating situation when the one-time federal funding expires in 2014 that is funding transit since the 10% cut in transit funding in the last state budget.
Implementing the following 2013-15 state budget priorities is essential to preserving transit service and protecting our ability to create and retain jobs, help train and educate our workers, and connect workers to employers in Southeast Wisconsin.
- Restore state transit operating aids that were cut in the 2011-13 biennial budget, to preserve vital transit services.
- Maintain transit funding from the segregated Transportation Fund, to provide crucial funding stability. Transit is as integral a part of the transportation system as roads and requires the same stable dedicated funding from the segregated funding source.
Tips for Testifying
- The hearings draw a big crowd, so arrive early to register to speak.
- Bring 20 copies of your testimony, if possible – enough copies for the committee (16) and some extras for those who are interested.
- Be brief – remarks are generally limited to 2 – 3 minutes.
- Begin with a clear and concise statement of our position and what you want. “I am urging you to amend the budget to include ______________.”
- Powerful testimony is a combination of personal stories and accurate, current statistics. Speak from your heart.
ARTICLES & INFORMATION
Milwaukee needs to save its Bucks and its buses (3/8/13) BizTimes.com BizBlog by Milwaukee County Supervisor Michael Mayo
Is Scott Walker killing of public transit? Transit’s funding is uncertain but road builders win big (3/6/13) Shepherd Express
Good Transit Policy Shouldn’t Lean Left or Right (2/16/13) JSOnline “Purple Wisconsin” blog by Alex Runner
Scott Walker says he’ll invest $6.4 billion for transportation needs (2/15/13) JSOnline “All Politics” blog by Don Walker
Growing Our Economy: Investing in Infrastructure (2/14/13) Press Release on Transportation Budget by Governor Walker
Just wanted to pass along these updates regarding transit issues in southeast Wisconsin. We are in the midst of the 2013 Milwaukee County budget process, and there have been a number of editorials over the past two months that make strong statements of support for our buses. The 2013 budget thus far does not project many changes regarding MCTS however; it’s an important year to shore up support in anticipation of a loss of the 2012 CMAQ funds after 2014. Stay tuned!
Milwaukee County Budget Hearing – Monday, October 29, 2012 at 6:30pm:
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors will host their Annual Budget Public Hearing on Monday, October 29th in the Bradley Pavilion of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water Street in Milwaukee. Doors will open at 6 p.m.; the meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. The hearing is an opportunity to hear the Supervisors review the County Executive’s Recommended Budget, including amendments. This is a great forum to show your support for transit! Free parking will be available in the Marcus Center structure, located one block north of the Marcus Center. View Flyer
Milwaukee Streetcar Event: “Facts & Future” – Tuesday, October 30, 2012 from 5:30-7:30pm
Love it, hate it or looking for more info? Come to this presentation hosted at the Pabst Pub in the Historic Pabst Theater. City Engineer Jeffrey Polenske and Department of Public Works Commissioner Ghassan Korban will be on hand to give updates on the project and answer questions. Event Information here You can also receive regular updates for the Milwaukee Streetcar by following them on Facebook.
And scroll down…some interesting articles, blogs and/or posts of late regarding Milwaukee’s density and how it could impact transit planning in the future, analysis on why Germans ride transit more than Americans and how car use is peaking in developed nations, resulting in slowing car sales and lifestyle changes that support more investment in transit infrastructure.
IN THE NEWS
- Public Policy Forum MilwaukeeTalkie Blog (10/18/12) “Density & Transit in Metro Milwaukee”. “Greater Milwaukee has had a long and contentious debate about public transit, with one common argument against investing in rapid transit being that the region doesn’t have the population density to support it. A recent study from the U.S. Census Bureau, however, may be cause for reexamining that contention. “It finds Milwaukee among the densest metropolitan areas in the U.S…”
- “5 Reasons Germans Ride 5 Times More Mass Transit Than Americans” The Atlantic (10/5/12) “When it comes to transit, however, the countries have gone in very different directions in the past fifty-some years. Today, transit use in the United States is much, much higher in cities than it is in rural areas. In Germany the disparity isn’t nearly as great…”
- The Road Less Travelled – The Economist (9/22/12) “Car use is peaking in the rich world. Governments should take advantage of that…”
- “The Problem is funding; transit doesn’t get enough” – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial (9/11/12) “The best way to address concerns about discrimination is to pay for a transit system that works…”
- “Agencies ignore transit in rush to rebuild interchange” – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (8/14/12)
- ACLU of Wisconsin & Midwest Environmental Advocates fight for faith-based groups, Black Health Coalition in transit lawsuit (8/7/12)
It’s been a busy summer and public transportation continues to be in the news. The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) released a report detailing the future sustainability of the transit system, the 2013 budget process for Milwaukee County is underway and Congress passed a Federal Transportation bill. Scroll down for the latest updates on both local and national public transportation issues.
Milwaukee County Budget Process: County Executive Chris Abele will be holding two Town Hall meetings, which will allow the public to voice their opinions on next year’s budget – this is a great opportunity to show your support for transit.
Monday, August 13, 2012 – 5:00pm-6:30pm
At McGovern Park Senior Center, 4500 W Custer Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53218
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 – 10:00am-11:30am
At West Allis City Hall Council Chambers, 7525 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, WI 53214
RSVP required: countyexec@milwcnty.com
Looking for more information on the upcoming budget? The Milwaukee County Mental Health Task Force has created a page on their website dedicated to the 2013 Milwaukee County Budget, which includes materials on transportation issues.
Milwaukee County Transit System’s Future Sustainability Appears Bleak:
Last Month MCTS released a report indicating that the financial sustainability over the next five years looks bleak. Federal CMAQ funds, the latest stop gap funding mechanism used to keep the system functioning, will expire in February of 2014 and a recent cut in state funding will have a significant impact. The report estimates that if nothing is done, MCTS may have to cut service from 19 to 29%. Below are links to articles and stories that discuss the potential impact:
- Report paints bleak picture of bus system’s future (7/1/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Transit System Facing Nearly 30% service reduction (7/3/12) Urban Milwaukee
- Transit is a tool that needs sustainable funding source (7/7/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Transit System Outlook Concerning Without Significant Funding Changes (7/11/12) WUWM, Radio interview
Upcoming Public Transportation Conference: August 14-16th in Chicago, IL
At the State Public Transportation Conference hear about best practices and programs of state associations and state transportation departments, as well as federal, state and local partnerships for public transportation. Click here to view the workshop schedule and program offerings. Co-sponsored by AASHTO and CTAA.
New Federal Transportation Bill Approved:
More than 1000 days after the last transportation bill expired, Congress finally voted to approve a new transportation bill. Unfortunately for those hoping for a bold step into the future, this bill represents a definite step backwards, the last gasp of an outdated 20th century program. Learn more about the bill here.
In The News:
- Couture project could help public transportation (7/28/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Milwaukee County gets $3.2 million in federal funds for buses (7/23/12) Biz Times
- Nearly $12 million in federal grants headed to 5 Wisconsin bus systems (7/23/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Feds reject city’s funding request to extend streetcar line (7/22/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Speak up! Listening Session – Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wisconsin Commission on Transportation Finance and Policy
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
1001 West St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee, Just west of the Amtrak Station
Nearby bus routes 10, 12, 23, 30, 31, 57, 80, Metro Express Blue Line
The State Legislature established this Commission as part of the 2011-13 budget to examine issues related to the future of transportation finance in Wisconsin. The Commission’s report to the Legislature, due no later than March 1, 2013, will encompass new approaches for the next decade.
You are encouraged to attend and speak at the public listening session!
You will have 2-3 minutes to speak. Please consider bringing your comments in writing for the Commission (11 members). If you cannot get to the session, written comments and testimony are also being accepted via email at dottfpcommission@dot.wi.gov.
Looking ahead for SE Wisconsin Transit Systems: Dedicated funding a crucial concern.
Public transit service in SE Wisconsin has been significantly reduced over the last decade, and without a change, would be expected to continue its downward path. The last State budget did significant damage to the “base” of funding for transit systems. Click here to view a SE WI Transit Update.
Regional connectivity and a sustainable, reliable, dedicated funding model for transit in Wisconsin is vital to our economic future.
This listening session is a valuable opportunity to educate the Commission and decision makers statewide about the need for robust transit options as a part of the comprehensive transportation system and a vibrant economy in the Metro Milwaukee area. Transit is essential to job access, businesses, education, personal independence, and our economic security.
Use of public transit grew in 2011, both nationally and locally. [SEE LINKS BELOW]
In particular, studies found that nearly 60 percent of transit rides are for commuting for work AND that big increases in ridership were in parts of the country that gained employment. This is the message the Commission needs to hear. As we heard from Mr. Rasmussen on March 6: Transit benefits the entire community, including those who don’t ride it.
Looking ahead, what are your priorities for the Wisconsin Transportation Fund? Will our current transportation system meet our changing needs?
For more information about the commission visit www.dot.wisconsin.gov/about/tfp or click here for a summary.
Moving Forward Together
Coalition for Advancing Transit
IN THE NEWS
- “Use of Public Transit Grew in 2011, Report Indicates” (3/12/12) New York Times
- “Milwaukee County bus ridership up slightly in 2011” (3/8/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- “Explaining Transit’s Secret Language” (3/8/12) The Atlantic Cities
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
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
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