Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Business wants #publictransit, but has to fight the oil industry to get it

jsonline : ""This is an investment," said Michael Schipper, deputy general manager for engineering and project management at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. "We invested in our community."

Schipper said investing in a bus rapid transit route allowed the Euclid Ave. corridor to experience an economic revival in the past seven years. The project, which cost $200 million, has spurred $6.3 billion in investment, according to his department's estimates. And compared with its predecessor, more people are using the line by choice rather than necessity, he said.

While Minneapolis has experienced a resurgence due in part to its investment in rail and bus infrastructure, the progress did not come without resistance, said David Frank, the city's director of economic development.

"As we talk about transit investments, there's no place where it's a walk in the park," he said. "You have to persevere."

Both Frank and Schipper said businesses are often the ones pushing for these projects because it helps attract a younger generation of workers who want the choice to use public transit instead of a car for commuting."



'via Blog this'

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

City of Brookfield and company to take a closer look at public transportation options

brookfieldnow.com: "The city of Brookfield is joining forces with allies to explore the possibility of increasing the community's public transportation options.

Last month, city and county officials expressed concern with the lack of convenient ways for potential employees from outside the Brookfield area to get to and from retail and restaurant jobs along the Bluemound Road Corridor.

Now, the city plans to meet with Visit Brookfield officials as well as local businesses in order to discuss rising concerns about the lack of ample public transportation for bringing employees to the area."