On the Way
Volume 2, Issue 3
March 2008

Transit Advocates Secure Grassroots Victory for a Region-Wide Transit System

The 2008 legislative session started off with a bang for transit advocates. Over Governor Pawlenty’s veto, the Minnesota legislature passed a transportation bill that included a significant, dedicated source of transit funding—over $100 million to be exact. The new revenue will also help Minnesota construct eight new dedicated transitways (i.e. light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit); double bus ridership by 2020; create better transit facilities and new park & ride capacity; provide revenue to local governments for bicycle and pedestrian projects, and expand transit in Greater Minnesota.

Behind the obvious victory lies an even greater one—a story about how grassroots advocacy can make real change in Minnesota.

Twelve years ago, Barb Thoman and John DeWitt were two concerned residents who gathered several of their friends and neighbors together to discuss the state of transit funding in the Twin Cities region. The group discussed how many regions with successful transit systems also had successful transit advocacy organizations, and the group decided to start its own advocacy organization—Transit for Livable Communities. The organization was designed to use advocacy, grassroots organizing, and research to promote a more balanced transportation system.
In the early 2000s, Transit for Livable Communities developed the “Transportation Choices 2020” vision. With one million people moving to Minnesota in upcoming decades, the state desperately needed a transportation system that provided alternatives to driving. Rather than fully funding a healthy transit system, the legislature took a piecemeal approach, funding one new transit line at a time. Nor was there reliable funding for operating existing buses and rail lines; transit service was most vulnerable during economic downturns when many transit users needed reliable service the most.

After developing the “Transportation Choices 2020” vision, Transit for Livable Communities initiated a campaign to support it: securing a dedicated, reliable source of funding to build out a transit system. TLC knew it needed a diverse range of partnerships that could provide region-wide support for this vision. To achieve this, Transit for Livable Communities first created a broad-based, grassroots network of residents who were committed to take action on transportation decisions that would impact their communities. Today, this network includes nearly 10,000 people who support more transit, walking, bicycling, and thoughtful development in Minnesota. Most of these people are current transit users.

“When we started the Transportation Choices Network, we really wanted to refocus transportation priorities toward people by helping more people participate in transportation and development decisions,” says Lea Schuster, Executive Director for Transit for Livable Communities.

Transit for Livable Communities also convened the “Transit Partners” coalition, which now includes transit, environmental, labor, community, and faith-based organizations all interested in the “Transportation Choices 2020” vision. This coalition has been the advocacy base to secure reliable transit funding in Minnesota, with each organization bringing different skill sets to the table. Some organizations work directly with state legislators, providing strong research and education about the benefits of a region-wide transit system. Others work closely on messaging and media strategies, developing media-friendly frames, messages, and stories about transit. Many also mobilize their members to take action during key parts of the legislative session, and others work closely with volunteers, helping them build valuable skills in talking with legislators, planning events, and becoming more effective advocates in their communities. Key coalition support was provided by the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, which expanded organizing capacity within the coalition.

In 2004, the Transportation Choices 2020 initiative was introduced at the state legislature. Using examples of similar initiatives across the country, Transit for Livable Communities suggested a region-wide sales tax to fully fund the transit system upfront with a dedicated source of funding. This goal was achieved during the 2008 legislative session, a mere four years after the idea was initially proposed.

A key challenge for Transit for Livable Communities and Transit Partners was working with a larger coalition dedicated to securing funding for roads, bridges, and transit. This coalition was under enormous pressure to fund roads and bridges across the state, but the Transit Partners coalition helped protect and shape the transit section of the bill, ensuring that people who cannot or do not drive could also reach their destinations. The 2008 transportation bill will generate over $100 million per year for transit needs across Minnesota. Ultimately, transit needs an estimated $235 million per year to fully leverage federal matching funds that currently go to other states, but this bill is a good step forward.

“This bill could not have been achieved without strong grassroots support from across the state,” notes Schuster. “One of Transit for Livable Communities’ biggest goals is to engage people in transportation decisions, so that community voices are well-represented and heard by decision-makers. Minnesota is renowned for residents who actively care about the future of their communities, and this bill represents thousands of people who asked for better transit in our region. Their activism made this historic step forward for transit possible.”