Public transportation input and events

Remember to register for Thursday's (March 18) Transit Talk with Senator Brad Pfaff. It starts at 6 p.m. and it's online (or by phone dial-in), so you will need to register for access information at tiny.cc/lata-pfaff. Thanks to co-sponsors, Citizen Action of Wisconsin Driftless Co-op, Coulee Region Sierra Club, and La Crosse MTU.

On March 27, Wisconsin Association of Rail Passengers (WisARP) is holding its annual meeting ONLINE from 9 a.m. to noon. They will discuss the latest Amtrak and WisDOT news. Speakers will include Arun Rao, Passenger Rail Manager for WisDOT. The meeting will focus on the second train Chicago – Milwaukee – St. Paul, and restoration of Hiawatha and Empire Builder service post-COVID-19. Please register for access information.

On March 30, consider signing up to participate in a Badger Bounceback Budget Listening Session on Transportation and Infrastructure. The program starts at 6 p.m. and will include information on the Governor's transportation budget proposals and break-out sessions for public input. You must register for access information.

On April 17, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., the Wisconsin Transit Riders Alliance will hold its annual meeting online. The program, Public Transit in Rural and Urban Wisconsin, will include opening remarks by Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes followed by a panel discussion with Senator Brad Pfaff and Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez from Milwaukee. There will be Q&A sessions after each section. Please help spread the word about this event! To register, please visit tinyurl.com/WTRA-041721 or https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqf-uopzMiEtN5slsSwYYiMdhknqoZLws8

Also, this year's Earth Fair is cancelled, BUT, there will be VIRTUAL EARTH WEEK from April 19 through 25. LATA is an organizational co-sponsor.

Take action for safe active transportation!

There are a some transit-related programs coming up in addition to LATA's March 18 talk with State Senator Brad Pfaff. The nice thing about moving life online is that it's much easier to attend something held far away, connecting with other transit advocates and getting some great ideas.

But first, is there a local bus stop that is really driving you nuts because it's hard to get to, in a dangerous location, or not safe? If yes, consider nominating it for Streetsblog's SORRIEST BUS STOP award. Nominations are open through Monday, March 15. Get more details and find out how to enter here: https://usa.streetsblog.org/2021/03/08/send-us-your-nominees-for-the-sorriest-bus-stops/

Transportation for America is promoting a series of advocacy actions to promote better, safer transportation options. This week, they're asking advocates to Support the Safe Streets Act. Good public transportation relies on safe pedestrian infrastructure. "The number of people struck and killed bgy drivers while walking increased by 47 percent over the last decade, as our partners at Smart Growth America found in the latest edition of Dangerous by Design. We are in the midst of an astonishing safety crisis as the United States has become--over decades of broken policy--an incredibly deadly place to walk. ... A handful of leaders in the U.S. House and Senate have introduced a bill that would finally require states and metro areas to design and build safer streets for everyone. The Complete Streets Act of 2021 is desperately needed." Tell your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor the Compete Streets Act.

AmericaWalks.org is hosting a webinar on Storytelling for Active Transportation Advocates on March 17 at 1 p.m. our time.
"How can we reach more people and convince them of the benefits of inclusive and accessible walkable communities?  We have incredible data on how they improve health, the climate, the economy, and our quality of life – but data alone often doesn’t carry the day."  Register at this link: https://americawalks.org/new-webinar-storytelling-for-active-transportation-advocates/

Wisconsin Transit Riders Alliance will hold its annual meeting online this year on Saturday, April 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The topic will be Wisconsin Public Transportation - Rural and Urban. Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes will give the opening remarks and there will be a panel discussion by Senator Brad Pfaff and Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez of Milwaukee. There will be time for questions and answers. Registration is free (link not yet available) and the meeting is open to all. Co-sponsors include The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, and the Sierra Club of Wisconsin (more are expected).

March 18 - Transit Talk with Sen. Brad Pfaff

Join us on Thursday, March 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. for an ONLINE forum with State Senator Brad Pfaff. Senator Pfaff serves on the Senate Committees on Transportation and Local Government. Agriculture and Tourism;  Economic and Workforce Development; Universities and Technical Colleges; and Utilities, Technology and Telecommunications.

There are many possible avenues of discussion, including the recommendations about public transportation made in the recently released Governor's Task Force on Climate Change report, the Governor's proposed 2021-2023 budget, the effects of COVID-19 on public transportation operations, new technology--from electric vehicles to public transit apps, and the role of a robust public transportation system in providing equitable access to jobs, education, recreation, services, and life for all regardless of location, wealth, health, age, and ability. We'll hope Senator Pfaff can touch on some of these and we'll be sure to leave time for your questions.

Please JOIN US! Register at tiny.cc/lata-pfaff  You will also be able to submit a question for Senator Pfaff at this registration site. This is a Cisco Webex event, accessible by computer/smart phone/tablet AND by dialing in from any phone for those who register and receive the link.

T4A

 

Make transportation history with us. Join us next Thursday to be a part of the solution.  2021 is a once-in-a-generation chance to fundamentally change U.S. transportation.  With pedestrian fatalities skyrocketing, millions of Americans stranded from jobs and opportunities, and the climate crisis quickly reaching the point of no return, we need to act: We can’t afford to waste another five years and billions of dollars on programs that just make our problems worse.

Register for the webinar

Join us on Thursday, February 25th at 1:30 pm CT to learn why 2021 can be a historic shift for U.S. transportation and how you can join the fight for fundamental reform.  Hear from the Transportation for America director Beth Osborne, policy director Scott Goldstein, and outreach director Chris Rall on why 2021 is a rare opportunity for remake transportation to provide everyone—no matter who you are or where you live—with safe, convenient, and affordable access to opportunity. We’ll give you the tools you need to be a part of the solution. Register for the webinar.

State Budget update

The Sierra Club, through the Coalition for More Responsible Transportation, noted that Governor Evers' proposed 2021-23 budget includes the following transit and transportation items:

• Highways: Lots of money to highways, enumeration of the I-94 East-West project 
  
• CMRT's ask: no new highway expansion enumerations, especially I-94

• Transit:  Increase general transit aids by 2.5 percent increase ($3.5m) + a a transit capital improvement grant program ($10m) + increased funding for employment access and mobility programs ($4m)
• CMRT's ask: $50m/year increase to transit
• Paratransit and Specialized Transit:  2.5 percent increase to paratransit and smaller increase to specialized 
• CMRT's ask: increase paratransit and specialized transit funding

We expect there will be some information and training sessions regarding transportation budget advocacy in the next couple of months, and we will post these as they are announced.

WisARP annual meeting March 27

The Wisconsin Association of Rail Passengers will meet online this year:

Due to the pandemic and restrictions on the size of meetings, the WisARP spring meeting will be held as a Zoom videoconference. The meeting will be March 27th, from 9:00 am until Noon. Tune in and get the latest Amtrak and WisDOT news. Speakers will include Arun Rao, Passenger Rail Manager for WisDOT. 

IMPORTANT: If you plan to attend, please contact the WisARP chair. The Zoom license has a participation limit and we need to know if we will need to increase that limit. Thanks.