Commuters To Tell Lawmakers Twin Cities Needs Permanent Transit Fix

More People Giving Up Cars for Buses

Media Contact: Katie Eukel
Communications Manager
Transit for Livable Communities
651-767-0298 x115
KatieE@tlcminnesota.org

Michelle Dibblee
Senior Organizer
 651-767-0298 x110
Mobile 612-310-0087
MichelleD@tlcminnesota.org

Commuters from all over the Twin Cities metro area will testify at legislative hearings to convince legislators to seek additional funds for transit to prevent service cuts and fare increases by Metro Transit and suburban providers.  Despite record ridership levels, the Metropolitan Council is once again considering raising transit fares by 50 cents and cutting bus service throughout the region to shrink a $45-61 million deficit.

Commuters will tell state senators that, despite a drop in gas prices, they use transit more than ever.  They will say that not only has the economic downturn forced commuters to cut costs and use transit but that now they prefer the bus to their own cars.

“I think it’s better for our community,” said Robynne Curlee of St. Paul.  “It keeps us connected.  It makes all the great things our city has to offer accessible to everyone.” 

Curlee said she sold her car two years ago before moving to Asia.  She’s returned to the Twin Cities but hasn’t bought another car. 

“I don’t see a reason to buy another one.  And I can afford one here.”  Curlee lives in St. Paul, and commutes to the Midway area each day.

“Cutting transit service or increasing fares hurts Minnesotans from all walks of life,” said Transit for Livable Communities senior organizer Michelle Dibblee.  “Without new revenue, students, workers, seniors, job-seekers, and other will be cut off from income and opportunities.

Testimony is expected from people who have two incomes but can only afford to own and operate one car, so the husband takes the bus--a bus which is now threatened.

Testimony is also expected from people who recently lost their jobs and need the bus to interview for a new job.

There will also be testimony noting that cutting service could endanger federal money for constructing the Central Corridor Light Rail line that would connect downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Hearings are set for Wednesday, March 4, and Thursday, March 5, 2009.          

The hearings are held by the Senate Transit Subcommittee. Senator Scott Dibble, chair of the subcommittee, and guests from the House of Representatives, will be present. The Wednesday hearings will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, and the Thursday hearings will be at Maplewood City Hall in Maplewood from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

      

Robynne Curlee is available to speak with reporters and producers.  She can be reached at 651-214-5173.