WisARP: October 23 in La Crosse

The Wisconsin Association of Rail Passengers (WisARP) will hold its annual fall meeting on Saturday, October 23 at La Crosse's Black River Beach Neighborhood Center, 1433 Rose Street, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be possible to attend remotely, via Zoom, as well.

The main topic will be the second daily passenger rail line from Chicago to Saint Paul coming in 2024.

Registration is now open. The cost is $25 for adults and $5 for students ages 22 and younger. 

A LATA donor will pay the registration fees of up to 10 students. If you are interested, please email LaCrosseTransitAdvocates@protonmail.com for details.

The second rail line is an example of perseverance and cooperation among states. The effort started in 2012 and has survived administration changes and budget challenges. Connection with WisARP and transportation advocacy groups can help us make good changes for everyone.

How could you use a second daily train?

 

 

World Car Free Day was established in 2000 by the World CarFree Network, a grassroots movement that aims to help people wake up to the social, economic, environmental, climate, and health effects cars have on people and our planet.

World Car Free Day is September 22 every year. Some communities hold events, contests, close streets, sponsor bike rides and bus events, and more. But the
Try one day a year  without a car. Then, try one day a month or a week. How about a whole year without a car? What are the benefits? What are the challenges? What are the opportunities?

Did you know that not driving a fossil-fueled car is the second most effective thing people can do to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions? Did you know the average cost to own and maintain a car in the U.S. is more than $9,200 per year? Did you know that biking, walking, and taking the bus can improve public health and community cohesion?

Our current systems and budgets are skewed to cars. Active transportation gets relatively little funding and consideration. But that can change!

La Crosse Area Transit Advocates encourages all of us to rethink our transportation choices and choose to walk, bike, or take the bus whenever possible. Make car travel your last choice. If you are a student, your ID is a bus pass. UWL students can also get a low-cost Green Bike from the OC.

 

La Crosse Area Transit Advocates is working to improve our local and regional public transportation system so more people will want to and can easily take the bus wherever and whenever they need to go. From help with reading the schedule to riding along with those new to the system, our members want to help and encourage more people to ride the bus and to advocate for the bus.

LATA will be on the UWL campus on World Car Free Day from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. to table, along with the MTU. Take the opportunity to mention this important reminder that our actions have consequences and that we can change those actions.

Rail Passengers meetings this fall

From September 19 through 22, the Rail Passengers Association will hold an advocacy conference online. Registration is now open. Visit their website to register.

The annual RailNation event in DC has been postponed to 2022 because of the pandemic.

On October 23, the Wisconsin Association of Rail Passengers will hold their annual meeting in La Crosse! And a one year new membership is now free. Visit https://wisarp.wordpress.com/membership/ for more information.

Federal Transit Administration Public Listening Sessions

 

With traffic returning to America’s roads more people are riding public transportation nationwide. In some communities, transit ridership is up more than 80 percent over early 2020 levels. Join FTA all summer long in a national conversation about what’s working to help transit agencies across America renew ridership.

Listening Sessions:

• Listening Session 1: 2-3:30 p.m. EDT, Friday July 30. This session will focus on best practices to renew ridership. Register | Agenda
   
• Listening Session 2: 2-3:30 p.m. EDT, Friday, August 6. This session will focus on how improvements in safety can build public confidence in transit. Register
   
• Listening Session 3: 2-3:30 p.m. EDT, Friday, August 13. This session will explore ways to increase ridership with a focus on building community partnerships. Register
   
• National Transit Renewal Summit: 11 a.m. EDT, Friday, August 20. Register

FTA is committed to providing equal access to this session for all participants. If you need alternative formats, options or services, contact anna.corniel@dot.gov.