Transportation Choices 2020

Press Release

New Coalition Proposes Initiative for Major Transit Expansion

For immediate release: March 9, 2005

Contact: Lea Schuster, Transit for Livable Communities
Phone 651-767-0298

Today, a coalition of community groups announced an initiative to greatly expand transportation options statewide. The initiative, called Transportation Choices 2020, would provide for expansion of bus service statewide, construction of nine dedicated corridors for bus and rail, expansion of Park and Ride capacity, and improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists. Construction would begin next year and be completed by 2020.

The initiative would be funded by a new ½ cent regional sales tax in the seven county metropolitan area and an increase in the portion of the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax dedicated to transit. Senator Sharon Marko (DFL-Cottage Grove) and Representative Ron Erhardt (R-Edina) are the chief authors of the bill. The initiative is being sponsored by faith-based, labor, environmental, mobility impaired, community and transit organizations. The initiative calls for investing an additional $360 million annually statewide.

The initiative’s sponsors said they are frustrated by Minnesota’s slow pace of transit improvement in an environment of increasing traffic congestion and air quality alerts. Minnesota has long had plans for a comprehensive transit system, but those plans continue to gather dust on a shelf,” says Mark Hoisser, board member of the Minnesota Public Transit Association. The Twin Cities region has a smaller bus system and fewer miles of rail transit than nearly all regions of similar size. Seven counties in Greater Minnesota still have no transit service, and many counties have very limited service. Furthermore, transit funding in Minnesota has been cut four times in four years. The shortfall for transit in the metropolitan area is now estimated at $60 million for the upcoming biennium and Greater Minnesota transit also faces cuts.

“It’s time we offer residents living in our cities, suburbs, and small towns the transportation choices they have long been waiting for,” said Sarah Mullins, co-chair for the Public Transportation Task Force for Isaiah, an interfaith advocacy group.

Speakers acknowledge the transportation funding initiatives sponsored by other groups but express concerns that the money for transit in other bills is not enough and comes too late. “This bill does several things,” says Lea Schuster, executive dirctor Transit for Livable Communities. “It prevents another round of transit fare increases and service cuts, provides for expansion of transit service throughout Minnesota, creates a stable annual funding budget for transit as the state currently has for roads, and provides a little money to local communities for transit, bike and pedestrian projects.”

“Expanding public transit service is critical to quality of life for all Minnesotans. When transit service is either inadequate or not available, the result is increased isolation and greater state costs for health and social services programs,” says Hoisser. Whether getting people to work, transporting people who can’t drive to medical appointments, giving people options for getting to school or shopping, or ensuring that folks can spend time with family and friends, public transit gets people where they need to go.

“The tremendous success of both Hiawatha light rail and the regional Park and Ride system reflect the enormous pent up demand for transit,” said Schuster. “Imagine boarding a train in White Bear Lake for a short and relaxing ride to St. Paul’s Union Depot. From there it would be a short walk to work, an event at the Xcel Center, or to transfer to a bus or light rail in route to a final destination.”

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The coalition of organizations working together on this initiative includes: Minnesota Public Transit Association, Isaiah, Sierra Club, Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, Amalgamated Transit Union, Minnesotan’s for an Energy Efficient Economy and Transit for Livable Communities.

Links:

1) Legislative Supporters of the Transportation Choices 2020 Initiative

2) Statements of Support at the Press Conference 3/9/05

Lea Schuster, Executive Director Tranist for Livable Communities

Mark Hoisser, Past President, Minnesota Public Transit Association

Sarah Mullins, Co-chair of ISAIAH public transportation task force

3) Media Coverage

Sales tax proposed for mass transit: Half-cent levy is designed to avoid fare hikes, cuts - St. Paul Pioneer Press 3/10/2005

Bill seeks dedicated sales tax for transit -Star Tribune 3/10/2005

Coalition proposes transit funding - Minnesota Public Radio - 3/10/05 (looking for updated link)

Almanac at the Capitol - Twin Cities Public Television - 3/9/05 (Real Audio Required - see 4:25 through 5:15 of 26 minute show)