Borealis

KARE TV in the Twin Cities did a really nice six-minute story on the Borealis recently. As noted in the video, ridership is higher than expected and they are looking for ways to add capacity.

There was also a Borealis report at the October 26 WisARP Fall meeting where the presenter was asked about the possibility of adding BIKE capacity. He said that because a freight car would cost $100,000 to $200,000 per year that was unlikely. This seems like a real waste and we hope folks will continue to advocate for bikes in the Borealis. Anyone who has traveled abroad knows it doesn't take a whole freight car to accommodate bicycles!

In the meantime, LATA may work on hosting a Borealis ride in 2025.

November updates

Thanks to everyone who participated in Week Without Driving. We had great media coverage and super programs. Visit the event page for more details. Thank you all co-sponsors! Bingo winners will be receiving their prizes in the next week or two!

There is no LATA Leaders meeting in November. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, December 11 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. We will discuss February 4 Transit Equity Day, the Ride with a Guide program, and programming for 2025. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please email for the Zoom link.

There may be a meeting of the MTU ADA advisory committee on Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. but don't have details yet. If you would be interested in attending (online) please contact KoterwskiT@cityoflacrosse.org

 On Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. the La Crosse Area Planning Committee (LAPC) will host an open house in room 1107 of the County Administration Building, 7th and State to learn about the process of updating the long-range metropolitan transportation plan. If you can't attend in person, you can provide feedback online. Learn more at https://www.lacrossecounty.org/metropolitan-planning-organization/planning-and-programming/metropolitan-transportation-plan

The LAPC Committee on Transit and Active Transportation will meet on Nov. 14 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Find the agenda and how to attend at https://www.lacrossecounty.org/docs/default-source/metropolitan-planning-organization/ctat-11-14-24-agenda-packet.pdf?sfvrsn=d98c4033_1

On November 26 at 10 a.m., Gil Penalosa 880 Cities webinar will host Dr. Wes Marshall, Professor of Civil Engineering at UC-Denver and author of Killed by a Traffic Engineer. While it's not specifically about transit, the book looks at our whole unsafe, inequitable transportation system, and how to undo the damage that's been done. Learn more and register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n0_vRyBhQI2gEETDYv-EhQ#/registration

Do you have ideas for events or programs LATA could host in 2025? Please email or join our monthly LATA Leaders meeting if yes. We will certainly look forward to Transit Equity Day, possibly a public transit survey of or program with city council candidates, more SMRT rides, and, we hope, a more visible Ride with a Guide program.