What's happening? What's coming up?

From: https://tacklewaste.wordpress.com/2015/02/05/week-4-public-transport/

The LAPC Regional Transit Development Plan is continuing and the consultant recently rolled out preliminary findings and sample updates. If you missed the stakeholder meetings, please check out the display at the main library on Main Street in La Crosse or view the information at the project web page. You may also view the presentation on YouTube.

 

Planning for Transit Equity WEEK (January 31 through February 4, 2022) is underway. If you would like to join the planning team, please email lacrossetransitadvocates@protonmail.com. Our next planning meeting is on Monday, December 20 at 2 p.m. Plans include a public display, collecting riders' stories, engaging our elected officials, public declarations of support for transit and transit equity, and more. Stay tuned and watch the event page for updates coming soon!

If you haven't yet registered to attend Transportation 4 America's TRANSPORTATION CAMP on January 8, there's still time. There is a very modest charge to register, but it will be worth it. The ONLINE event will include four breakout sessions, an online lunch networking opportunity, and a keynote talk by Kim Lucas, the Sustainable Transportation Branch Manager with the District Department of Transportation, Planning & Sustainability Division, in Washington, D.C

LATA will be planning for 2022 events, programs, speakers, and actions soon. If you have suggestions or would like to be involved in planning to have a better and bigger impact on improving public transportation in our area, please email us or call 608-315-2693.

Help us plan Transit Equity Day 2022

February 4 is Rosa Parks' birthday. For the past four years, thanks to the Labor Network for Sustainability, this date has been celebrated by transit advocates and agencies as TRANSIT EQUITY DAY. In 2020, a few people in La Crosse did some "Thank you, drivers!" sign waving at some bus stops. This year, the La Crosse MTU had a great action - roses on bus seats. and press event - that got excellent local media coverage.

We would like to make 2022 Transit Equity Day even bigger--widening the circle of those whose stories are told, including more communities in planning and programming, ensuring that we recognize the importance of dedicated, proactive administrators, drivers, and staff. 

Are you interested in being on a planning team for 2022 Transit Equity Day? If yes, please email us at LaCrosseTransitAdvocates@protonmail.com OR call 608-315-2693 and leave a message for a call back.

COVID has put a real damper on our ability to program! Zoom meetings are just not easy or useful for networking and building relationships. And they are not useful for building a membership so we can have elections and build out our leadership team, either!

We hope to get back to in-person programs next year. In the meantime, here is an upcoming opportunity to connect online with other transit advocates from around the country.

Transportation for America (T4America) is holding its annual TRANSPORTATION CAMP on Saturday, January 8, ONLINE. There is a small registration fee, but the opportunity to learn from and network with others is well worth it. If you are tech savvy, you can volunteer for free registration. Learn more and register at: t4america.org/transportation-camp/

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.