The Building Sensible Communities bill, (SF 549 (Dibble)/ HF 898(Hornstein) continues steady progress to a floor vote. The bill, which would direct Mn/DOT and the Met Council to establish a goal of reduced car travel and expanded use of transit, bicycle, walking and shorter trips (through more efficient land use), has majority approval in numerous policy committees. Next up is the Senate Transportation Finance Committee, and then hopefully on to the Finance, Tax and other committees with funding discretion.
Building Sensible Bridges SF 1484(Sieben)/ HF1484(Hornstein) Legislation to build bridges that are designed to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians has passed out of both the Senate and House Transportation Committees. This bill is a prelude to a more ambitious “Complete Streets” TLC legislative agenda (coming in 2010) following Mn/DOT’s completion of a study of “Complete Streets.”
Keep the Transit System Whole. Transit for Livable Communities continues to advocate for a long-term solution to the metro area transit operating deficit ($62 million over the next biennial). Two competing bills moved forward last week.
Legislation going through both the House and the Senate--SF 1276(Murphy)/HF1309 (Lieder)--would tap the sales tax on leased vehicles to address the operating deficit. Different legislation--SF 1610(Rest)/HF 1955(Holberg)--would allow the Met Council to temporarily transfer funding from its Livable Communities, brownfields cleanup, and affordable housing programs as a short-term fix to address the transit operating shortfall. I testified in opposition to this bill in the Senate Transportation Committee, noting that there are several other viable revenue sources (federal stimulus, regional property tax, MVST on Leased, etc) that should take precedence over de-funding important transit-related programs of the Met Council. In other words, we can do better than another accounting gimmick (and a looming fare increase and service reduction in 2010), when long-term solutions are needed.
Metro Transit vs Google Transit(via Fresh.mn) Erica takes a minute to compare the pros and cons of Metro Transit's online route planning service to Google Transit's. According to her, Metro Transit had a hard time providing relevant directions, but Google Transit provided "three options with different departure times, complete with mapped out walking directions, bus info, and a map of where the bus will go." But don't think Google Transit wins it all outright: Google Transit doesn't let you search by bus route.
Here's a question: which transit route planning service do you like best?
Budget woes hit mass transit as revenue falls. A familiar theme that continues to arise in the midst of the current economic crisis is that transit agencies are plagued by operating deficits despite record ridership levels. Tough economic times are drying up traditional revenue sources that transit agencies depend on to operate, such as Minnesota’s Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST). Transit officials are raising fares and cutting service in order to reduce deficits, but this strategy only hurts Main Street Americans who depend on transit to look for jobs, get to doctor appointments, and commute to school. Officials must find new, long-term sources of revenue to fully fund the growing demand for public transit.
Japan: Blurring the line between bullets and trains. By 2025, Japan aims to develop a network of bullet trains featuring magnetically levitated linear motor trains running at speeds of more than 310 miles per hour! Japan’s goal, plus their current train system that achieves speeds reaching 186 mph, are shining examples of transportation possibilities in the US. The economic stimulus package appropriates $8 billion for high-speed rail, an unprecedented amount of funding that will help to build transportation alternatives that will reduce carbon emissions and cut congestion.
Bicycling and Walking
Introducing livable streets education. Livable Streets Education (LSE) is the newest member of the Livable Streets Initiative, partnering with schools, cultural institutions, and community-based organizations working for improved urban livability, greener transportation, and safer streets. LSE is currently working with K-8 students at 15 schools around New York City. The groundbreaking curriculum represents a new strategy to educate children and community organizations about the benefits of pedestrian-friendly streets.
Pedestrian-activated crosswalk signal. Check out this video about a new strategy to improve pedestrian safety. The Seattle crosswalk featured in the video boasts two rows of blinking lights that alert drivers when a pedestrian wishes to cross a busy intersection.
Development
Transit-oriented development: Beyond the big city. A recently-released report from the American Institute of Architects and the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota concludes that small town/small city life is an ideal fit with principles that encourage walkable pedestrian environment and connected communities with urban centers. In fact, before the wide acceptance of the automobile, small towns and small cities in America depended on railroads and walkable developments as main lifelines. The report demonstrates that transit-oriented development should be a goal not only for major cities, but for smaller towns as well.
The Transportation Advisory Board of the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT are debating how to spend nearly $250 million in federal stimulus dollars. Despite erroneous early reports that funds could only be used for highways, states have wide latitude to use the funding.
For a region with a highway system that’s larger on a per capita basis than Los Angeles, and with a history of a fallen bridge, the choice would seem clear: “fix it first.” Metro cities and counties have submitted lists of project ideas dominated by street, sidewalk, and trail repair. Metro Transit is facing a $60 million shortfall. Even MnDOT’s new statewide plan says they won’t meet targets for pavement quality.
Nevertheless, a proposal to fund two proposed highway expansion projects—an $84 million expansion of Highway 610 and an expansion of the I-169/I-494 interchange that could cost $170 million—could eat up the metro area stimulus money and even some future federal funding. No seems to be talking about how repair projects generate 16 percent more jobs, and do so faster, than those that build new highway capacity.
On March 18, the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) approved the Highway 610 expansion project and forwarded it on to the Metropolitan Council. The TAB delayed a vote on the I-169/494 interchange and other repair projects until April. The one year timeline for obligation of half of the metro area stimulus money should provide ample time for pubic engagement, but to date, no process for engaging the public has been identified.
Contact Barb Thoman at TLC if you want to learn more and get involved.
Transit cuts and fare increases may have been avoided – at least until 2010. Met Council Chair Peter Bell recently presented the Met Council’s 2010-2011 transit budget to the Senate Transportation Committee. The budget avoids any service cuts or fare increases in 2009. Unfortunately, it relies almost entirely on one-time funding options and direct cuts to transit-supportive programs to balance the financial books. $44 million (more than 2/3 of the total) of the funding solution is one-time money from the stimulus package, redistributing funds from an upcoming regional property tax levy, and drawing down reserves. Most egregious, the plan includes a second fare increase in 2010 and the possibility of service reductions.
Transit for Livable Communities is asking legislators and the Governor to develop a funding plan that can build a 21st century regional transit system that improves and expands our transit system. Rather than continued postponement of real investment in transit, we advocate securing new revenues from a combination of sources.
In any case, we need a long-term funding solution for our transit system. We need more choices in how we get around--especially now. Cutting funding for the bus system, one of the primary ways for families to save money on transportation, simply doesn't make sense in an economic crisis. Minnesota is renowned for its strong economy, but we need good transportation to ensure that residents can reach (and keep!) their jobs.
This is too big of a problem to pass on to our children. The Metropolitan Council's solution is like sticking a finger in the first hole of a leaking dam. It gets us through the year, but it doesn't begin to address our long-term transit funding needs. Transit for Livable Communities will continue to work with state agencies, elected officials, and our allies and members, to pursue a solution that addresses our long-term needs and positions Minnesota for a strong, vibrant future.
Help set the direction for Minnesota's transportation investments!
Next week, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will take comments on the Draft Minnesota Statewide Transportation Plan: 2009-2028. This document lays the foundation for Mn/DOT's decisions, and we want to ensure that it supports a balanced transportation system.
What we want Mn/DOT to hear:
1. Support for positive movement. This plan puts greater emphasis on transit, biking, and walking. The executive summary lists the following in a list of 11 priorities (pg. 3):
Greater transit options throughout the state with improved connectivity between services and modes.
Expanded networks for safe biking and walking.
We're also happy to see that Mn/DOT has decided to measure "people movement" instead of vehicular movement (p. 3)
2. Comments on taking investments in transit, biking and walking to the next level in Minnesota.
There shouldn’t be additional investment in highway expansion when the state can’t maintain its roads and bridges in a state of good repair.
Retrofitting streets to make them safe for all users – drivers, bicyclists, transit users, and pedestrians.
The DOT needs to lead – by providing technical assistance to communities on land use, complete streets, bike mapping, etc.
To measure movement of people – we need to measure this through vehicle occupancy and shift in greater mode share by transit, biking and walking.
Your comments can really make a difference! Mn/DOT will be taking comment on this plan through 4:30pm on March 31st. Comments can be sent by email, fax, mail, or phoned in. See contact info below.
Click here to go to the Draft Statewide Plan website.
Fax: 651-366-3790
Phone (leave a recorded message): 651-366-3799
Mail:
MN Department of Transportation
Office of Investment Management and Performance Measures
The thing I found most interesting in this video was this quote, from Lynne Goldsmith, about the importance of transit and the need to connect it to biking:
“One of the things that’s different about Los Angeles is we are so spread out and our employment centers are so decentralized that people are going everywhere all the time. So we know that bikes with transit is a key component in solving the transportation problem.”
Here’s a thought for night safety: In addition to a tail light and a mounted headlight, I also wear a light on my head when biking at night. These “headlamps” are generally used for spelunking or hiking at night. There are even waterproof varieties suitable for SCUBA diving. But they are great for cycling and walking after dark.
I’ve seen headlamps for sale at REI, ranging in price from 17 to 100 dollars. The one pictured was purchased at Menards and retails for less than 10 dollars. I’ve also seen similar products at Target. Surprisingly, I’ve yet to see headlamps at a bike shop, where the least expensive head light goes for about $20 bucks. Then again, maybe that’s not so surprising considering that a low-cost headlamp can be used in place of a more expensive mounted headlight.
When walking at night a headlamp is great for both seeing and being seen. In the winter, I often went out with my headlamp on to increase my visibility. When waiting for a bus at night or in inclement weather, the possibility of being passed up because the driver didn’t see me diminishes when I had my light on.
My favorite thing about this type of light is the fact that I don’t have to deal with bolts and brackets. The adjustable elastic strap easily fits over your bike helmet, or hats/hoods when bundled up for winter. It’s lightweight and compact, easily fitting into a backpack, coat pocket, or purse.
Another plus is the fact that the light stays with your line of sight. When crossing a busy intersection at night, the simple act of looking towards traffic, at a driver, invariably encourages motorists to slow down.
And of course, there are all the benefits of having a flashlight with you. Some headlamps, like the one from Menards, also feature an alternate red bulb setting (which I use often at dj gigs). The sense of security provided by additional lighting is very nice as well. No fumbling to insert the key correctly into the lock because, thanks to my headlamp, I can actually see what I’m doing.
It is very important to be visible and have visibility when travelling at night. It’s a legal requirement for cyclists and an intelligent thing to do whether on a bike, on foot, in a wheelchair, on a skateboard, on skis or blades, in a Radio Flyer or however it is you’re getting around after dark.
I’m Jaméz and this has been something to blog about.
Transit for Livable Communities (TLC) and our Transit Partners coalition supported successful public hearings on March 4th and 5th!
All told, over 170 people showed up to encourage legislators to prevent service cuts and fare hikes by finding
additional resources for transit. Over 100 people filled the
Minneapolis hearing and spilled out into the hallway; another fifty
filled the Maplewood City Hall council chambers.
Senator Scott Dibble, chair of the Senate Transit Subcommittee chaired the hearings, which were official meetings of this committee. In Minneapolis, he was joined by Sen. Jim Carlson and Rep. Frank Hornstein (chair of the House Transit Subcommittee). In Maplewood, they were joined by local electeds Sen. Wiger and Representatives Slawik and Lille from the Maplewood area, as well as Senators Sieben and Saltzman.
Great testimony matters.
Speakers made the case not just to maintain, but to increase transit
service. Urban and suburban residents, professional advocates and
community members, transit-dependent riders and choice riders
(including people who want to ride more!) shared their experiences and
spoke to the need for transit.
As Kathleen, one of our long-time members and hardest working volunteers, wrote the day after the hearing:
"I just wanted to say I really think that we had the best public
hearing that I've ever been to in a long time. I think our work is
paying off with a lot of our volunteer people speaking out. I had not
planned to testify but, I just felt it was time to bring things
together and say why TLC is there for the long haul and to thank
Senator Dibble and the committee for their support."
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