Public Transportation
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The Issue
Transit is a system of buses, trains, etc., running on fixed routes on which the public may travel. Transit is an increasingly necessary and popular way for Wisconsin’s citizens to get to work, school, and even social travel. Transit is also vital to our aging community for access to shopping, community centers, and medical appointments. Public transportation provides communities with affordable means of mobility, offering individuals greater opportunities to better themselves and provide for their families. It provides access to job opportunities for millions of Americans in urban and rural settings. It is also a key link to jobs for service and entry-level employees with limited mobility options. For the more than 51 million. For Americans with disabilities, public transit is a vital link. And, 83 percent of older Americans say public transit provides easy access to things they need in everyday life. |
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Adequate state and federal investment are critical to meeting the market demand for public transit. Public transit is vital to our economic growth and reliable transportation options for our urban, rural, young, and aging riders, especially for work and school.
Not enough funding and attention is dedicated to public transportation. For decades, the federal government has spent 80% of transportation infrastructure funds on highways, with only 20% left for public transit.
Approximately 30% of the statewide transit fleet is past its useful life, and previous cuts to operational assistance have not been restored. Like transportation infrastructure, transit requires appropriate investment to spur and maintain job growth and provide the service our communities need.
The Madison Area Bus Advocates suggests WI should
The Madison Area Bus Advocates suggests how you can help
Adapted from apta.com, busadvocates.org , t4america.org , progressive.org , wipta.org .
Not enough funding and attention is dedicated to public transportation. For decades, the federal government has spent 80% of transportation infrastructure funds on highways, with only 20% left for public transit.
Approximately 30% of the statewide transit fleet is past its useful life, and previous cuts to operational assistance have not been restored. Like transportation infrastructure, transit requires appropriate investment to spur and maintain job growth and provide the service our communities need.
The Madison Area Bus Advocates suggests WI should
- Establish a Regional Transportation Authority that brings together the county, central city, and suburbs. This cooperative approach should promote active transportation and transit in coordination with land use planning for housing and economic development;
- Locate a convenient, people-oriented multi-modal terminal in downtown Madison that provides for seamless connection between local, regional, and interstate carriers;
- Establish a local and streamlined rapid system that provides decentralized coverage reflecting the changing housing and commute patterns throughout our region;
- Develop an economically-sound parking policy that eliminates a minimum parking requirement and separates the rental of residential units from that of a parking stall.
- Promote the development of Transport Demand Management strategies for coordinated and cost-effective multi-modal transportation and parking policies.
The Madison Area Bus Advocates suggests how you can help
- Donate Your Talent
- Whether you enjoy designing, drawing, photography, making videos, writing skits, acting, writing songs, singing, poetry, talking with people, or something else, use your talents to help Madison Area Bus Advocates. Your imagination is the limit. Share your ideas with info@busadvocates.org.
- Whether you enjoy designing, drawing, photography, making videos, writing skits, acting, writing songs, singing, poetry, talking with people, or something else, use your talents to help Madison Area Bus Advocates. Your imagination is the limit. Share your ideas with info@busadvocates.org.
- Adopt a Bus Stop
- Help your neighbors by keeping stops clear of snow and debris. Benches, shelters, bike racks, concrete pads (instead of dirt and mud), and other amenities are additional pluses. Inviting stops provide a friendly image of your area. Ideally, stops should have a 6' clearance. Park your car far enough away to provide buses sufficient clearance when pulling up to the curb.
- Help your neighbors by keeping stops clear of snow and debris. Benches, shelters, bike racks, concrete pads (instead of dirt and mud), and other amenities are additional pluses. Inviting stops provide a friendly image of your area. Ideally, stops should have a 6' clearance. Park your car far enough away to provide buses sufficient clearance when pulling up to the curb.
- Contact Government Officials
- Contact your Alder, Mayor, County Supervisor, County Executive, State Representatives, Governor, Federal Representatives, and President. Tell them that good bus service is critical and ask them to take leadership in promoting public transportation at the city, county, state, and/or federal level.
- Contact your Alder, Mayor, County Supervisor, County Executive, State Representatives, Governor, Federal Representatives, and President. Tell them that good bus service is critical and ask them to take leadership in promoting public transportation at the city, county, state, and/or federal level.
Adapted from apta.com, busadvocates.org , t4america.org , progressive.org , wipta.org .