Transit for Livable Communities-Transit

Preserve Transit Today -- Invest in Transit for Tomorrow

(scroll to bottom for resources about transit funding)

Latest updates

July 22, 201. Read TLC's take on the end of the session.
July 20, 2011. Governor Dayton signs bills ending the Minnesota government shutdown and closing the 2011 Legislative Session. The final transportation bill cuts the general fund allocation to transit but service cuts and fare increases are avoided due to one-time measures.
July 6 and 7, 2011. Metropolitan Council holds public meetings in Saint Paul and Minneapolis seeking public input about how to approach cutting the bus system by 25%. Such cuts would be required if the proposed $109 cut to the general fund allocation to transit becomes law.
July 1, 2011. Minnesota state government shuts down.
June 30, 2011. Transit service is expected to continue during a government shut down, depending on how long it lasts. Met Council Chair Sue Haigh said in a June mesage, "The Council has determined we are able to continue to operate transit services, including Metro Transit bus and rail, Metro Mobility, Transit Link and other contract services, at least for a period of time."
June 28, 2011. Metropolitan Council announces two public meetings, July 6 and 7, to receive public comment about potential service reductions and fare increases. The Council also releases a schedule of formal public hearings in August to provide specific details about the service adjustments planned and any fare increase proposed. Details about the meetings in July and hearings in August are on TLC's calendar (register to attend-- Saint Paul meeting July 6; Minneapolis meeting, July 7) and can be found here on the Metropolitan Council web site.

p 15 of Metro Transit PDF

This is page 15 from the Metro Transit pdf: Transit Reduction Planning Jun27-2011 (see link below). It shows in red service that could be eliminated.

June 27, 2011. Metro Transit testified before the Metropolitan Council about potential service cuts and fare reductions if proposed cuts of $109 million from the general fund are not averted. View a video of the testimony and of the presentation PDF: Transit Reduction Planning Jun27-2011
May 24, 2011. Governor Dayton vetoes transportation bill because "it seriously underfunds transit . . . and fails to invest in our transportation future." Read his letter to Speaker Zellers.
May 20, 2011. TLC and Transit Partners urge governor to veto transportation bill. See release here.
May 19, 2011. Speaking last night on TPT's "Almanac" program, Met Council chair Sue Haigh indicated that the legislature's proposed cut to transit would mean "we'd have to raise base fare by 50 cents (a 29% fare increase) and in addition we would have to cut service to 30% of regular routes." "We would lose 27 million transit rides in the Twin Cities. This is a significant impact for people trying to get to work and school," Chair Haigh said.
May 13, 2011.The House and Senate transportation conference committee voted to cut $109 million from metro area transit and $8 million from Greater Minnesota transit. The impact of these cuts in the metro area would be substantial reductions in bus service, along with a fare increase. The bill will go to the floor this week and then to the Governor (who can choose to veto). The legislative session ends Monday, May 23. Take action by calling legislators. Also send brief letters to the editor to your newspaper indicating why transit is important to you and the region.

TransitAdvocatesAndRepBeard

Transit Advocates and Rep. Beard

May 10, 2011. TLC allies and transit riders packed the Capitol Rotunda for a pro-transit rally and then delivered to legislators 14,000 postcards signed by transit riders from all over the metro and the state. Click here for a recap.

Click here for PDF Map of Postcard Campaign.
Map credit: Geoff Mass, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy

April 1, 2011. See this new blog from Dave Van Hattum and video from a press conference at the Capitol about proposed cuts to transit. Also see the letter from Metropolitan Council Chair Haigh indicating the effect of House cuts to transit. Further updates and links are available on TLC's page on Facebook: Tlcminnesota
March 25, 2011: House and Senate cut transit. House cut would lead to $4 fares or major service cuts and job losses. See Legislative Update for details. Also visit the Action Network page.
March 23, 2011: See this release for the latest update.
Video from The Uptake of March 21 testimony before the House Transportation & Finance Committee

For Today: Prevent Service Cuts and Fare Increases in 2011
Demand for transit options is growing, especially as gas prices rise. In the metro area, the transit system is the vital link to work for 60% of riders and a lifeline for low income households and people who can't drive, including the state's elderly population. We call on the Governor, legislature, Mn/DOT, and the Metropolitan Council to protect existing transit service in Minnesota.

For Tomorrow: Invest in a Full-Scale, Multimodal Transit System
We need to move faster to create a 21st century multimodal transit system including light rail transit, bus rapid transit, a stronger bus system, and safe options for bicycling and walking. Our state and region already have a huge road and highway system --one we struggle to maintain --and our transit system is falling behind peer regions around the country. Transit advocates need to be vocal about shifting priorities --for today and tomorrow!

Resources

Legislative Update blogs: