Want jobs? Then we need transit | Fresh Energy

Want jobs? Then we need transit | Fresh Energy: "In other words, if you do not have a car, those jobs are out of reach. If you do have a car, that will become the only option for you to get to work, equaling more fuel consumed, more road wear, more expense for the worker."

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Bus riders don't seem to get a fair shake - JSOnline

Union members push fake casket through downtown Milwaukee in a mock funeral procession for the Milwaukee County Transit System

Bus riders don't seem to get a fair shake - JSOnline: "That's why those without cars need strong advocates whenever important decisions about public transportation policy are made.
If things get too drastic, we might even need another civil rights movement for bus riders everywhere."

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Less traffic, more jobs!

Come out and help our campaign for a Vehicle Registration Fee to fund transit in this year’s county budget. Without increased tax revenue, the county will cut 12% of service, including nearly all Freeway Flyers, and most service to the SW Section of Milwaukee County. Milwaukee TRU

Obama Proposes Cutting Oil and Gas Subsidies $41 Billion to Help Fund Jobs Package | ThinkProgress

Obama Proposes Cutting Oil and Gas Subsidies $41 Billion to Help Fund Jobs Package | ThinkProgress: "“The bottom line is, when it comes to strengthening the economy and balancing our books, we’ve got to decide what our priorities are,” he said, speaking in the White House Rose Garden. “Do we keep tax loopholes for oil companies, or do we put teachers back to work?”"

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Transit cuts bad for business

CRE Guide — Take 5 with Joel Rast - The Business Journal: "One thing is clear: if the proposed service cuts are implemented, the results will be disastrous for Milwaukee County. Next week, the UWM Center for Economic Development will release a study showing the impact of the proposed transit service reductions on access to employment. Our study will pinpoint the locations of all employers in the region who will lose transit service if the service reductions proposed are put into effect. We will also identify the numbers of workers who will be affected."

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Young people need public transit access

18 August 2011
Chris Abele
Milwaukee County Executive
901 N. 9th St., Rm. 306
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Dear County Executive Abele:
My name is Zach Komes and I am president of the City of Milwaukee Youth Council. I am a senior at Rufus King High School and had the opportunity to meet you when I organized a “Teen Voter Forum” at our school during your campaign.
I am writing on behalf of the Youth Council to urge you to prevent fare increases of the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) from affecting the youth population in Milwaukee County. As you know, high school students in the county are heavily reliant on the transit system and are thus more likely to be affected by a fare increase.
The County has undergone numerous fare increases in the past 10 years. The economic downturn, in addition to a competitive job market, the need for a high-skilled workforce and program cuts to Mayor Barrett’s summer jobs initiative, has led to decreased incomes of young people. According to the Employment Policies Institute which studies the U.S. job market, the national unemployment rate for teens who are seeking employment is 24%, which is an increase from the national average of 20% from 2008-2010. As you can understand, a fare increase on transit would have a drastic impact on youth ridership, especially those who use the bus to travel to school, work or for pleasure.
I am proud to say that the Youth Council passed file number #1105 opposing the state budget cuts to MCTS at our July formal meeting. We understand that the County has to deal with these cuts to its budget, but it also has the responsibility to provide services for our city’s most susceptible population.
Therefore, the Youth Council proposes that your office looks into proposing a special youth fare for those ages 12-18 years old in the event that there is a standard fare increase. We kindly advocate for a fare that stays at the current $2.25 level, or a slight increase that is not as large as the general adult fare increase.

Please take into account how MCTS cuts will affect our County’s younger population. We look forward to hearing your response and listening to ways that the County and the Milwaukee Youth Council can work together in the future.
Sincerely,
Zachary Komes
President/Member (District 10)
City of Milwaukee Youth Council
Cc: Members of the Youth Council
Chairman Lee Holloway
Managing Director Lloyd Grant, Jr.
Enclosures: Youth Council Resolution Number 1105

Rail projects differ, but political divide follows unswerving tracks - JSOnline

The article linked below shows clearly that as long as the subsidized private auto has critical-mass as transportation and public-transit is "alternative" transportation, the discussion will be one-sided. Before we fight for rail, we have to break the critical-mass of the private auto. At that point, the extensive subsidy of the auto and sprawl will be revealed as a burden, an unnecessary burden.


Rail projects differ, but political divide follows unswerving tracks - JSOnline