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.

Amtrak sale

For a Limited Time: Book a Roomette, Bring a Companion for Free

Looking to upgrade your travel experience? Now through October 31, book an elevated, First Class experience in a Roomette and bring a friend along on the journey for free.

For those seeking extra space, privacy and comfort, Roomettes feature two comfortable seats that transform into upper and lower beds by night and include a big picture window, newly upgraded bedding, pillows, towels, and linens. A dedicated First Class attendant provides turndown service, assists with meals, and helps with luggage. All customers in private rooms receive complimentary lounge access at major stations, priority boarding, and complimentary meals onboard.

This flash sale is available for travel aboard several world-famous routes including: Northbound Auto Train, California Zephyr, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder, Floridian, Lake Shore Limited, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle.

Book by October 31, 2024 for travel November 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025. Enter code C104 on the Amtrak app. 

More details here: https://www.amtrak.com/roomsale

Bus 2 VOTE!

If you would like to bus to vote this year but aren't sure how to ride, please contact LATA (LaCrosseTransitAdvocates@proton.me or 608-315-2693) and we will send a Ride Guide to help you learn how to schedule a ride, read the maps, use the apps, and ride the bus.

In person absentee (AIP) voting begins on Tuesday, October 22. Any eligible voter may vote during hours and at locations designated by city clerks. And, what better way to get there than by bike or bus!

Here is the chart of voting times and places for City of La Crosse. If you live in a different municipality, check this La Crosse County page or contact your municipal clerk. When you vote AIP, anyone from any district may vote at the designated sites.

Your AIP ballot will be stored by your clerk, along with other absentee ballots returned in person or by mail, to be counted on election day. So, technically, this is not early voting because no votes are counted until November 5. Get more information about registering, what kind of ID to bring when you vote in person, how to request an absentee ballot, and more at https://myvote.wi.gov.

More and more voters are choosing to vote absentee in person before election day. If you work, AIP voting lets you schedule a time that works better for your schedule. You don't have to worry about not having time to get to the polls or a last minute work emergency. Some AIP voters like to go when weather is good in case weather is bad on election day. Some people get together with a group of friends for brunch and voting. Those who volunteer at the polls or in local Get Out the Vote efforts take care of their voting early so they can devote full time and attention to ensuring as many as possible vote.

Again, please contact LATA if you would like to take the bus to vote any time between October 22 and November 5.

Coulee Region Liz Fryseth!

Super activist  and LATA leader Liz Fryseth is featured in Coulee Region Women this month! Check out the article at their site!

https://www.crwmagazine.com/

More updates

Thanks to all who participated in some way in the Week Without Driving as co-sponsors or participants. Remember to turn in your WWD bingo card by October 13 to a bus driver, at the transit center, or at the city park & rec window. If anyone would like to help plan Transit Equity Days events this winter (around February 4) or next year's WWD OR if you have feedback, ideas, or suggestions, please contact us.

 

Review your WWD experience or share your ideas and complaints at https://tinyurl.com/laxwwd24Review.

LATA Leaders will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, October 9 at 5:30 p.m. Please contact us for access information. We will NOT meet in November but will meet on Wednesday, December 11 at 5:30 p.m. to plan Transit Equity Days.

And, please support this important event organized by Liz Fryseth, White Cane Safety Day, on October 15 at 8:30 a.m. at the LA Crosse City Hall Council Chambers:

White Cane Safety day was introduced by congress on October 6th 1964 designated into law on October 15th. Blindness and severe visual impairment affect approximately 109,000 Wisconsin residents and the majority of these people use travel aids. These travel aids include a white cane or service animal to get around public streets, sidewalks, and places of public accommodation. These travel aids are universally recognized as symbols representing vision loss. 

Wisconsin’s White Cane Law requires that motorists come to a full stop before approaching closer then 10 feet to a pedestrian who is using a white cane or service animal.

Greater awareness of the White Cane Law leads to safer, more attentive driving in general. Enhancing the safety of all pedestrians, including children, elders, and people with disabilities.

 

Join and support our local B/VI (Blind and Visually Impaired) community and elevate the importance of White Cane Safety Day as well as pedestrian safety year-round.

Event Details

October 15th at 8:30 a.m. at the  La Crosse City Hall Council Chambers.

Proclamation read promptly at 8:30 am by Mayor Mitch Reynolds