Transit riders like convenience, but would prefer greater reliability, cleanliness

usatoday : "People rode mass transit nearly 11 billion times a year because of cost-effectiveness, convenience and because they dislike driving, according to a national survey Thursday obtained by USA TODAY."

East Central Indiana needs more public transportation options

starpress : "Transit investments get workers to jobs and help get customers to cash registers. Good public transportation benefits all of us whether we are young, whether we are senior citizens or whether we are in our middle years. It is vital for those who have a disability as well as for those who do not drive for any reason."

Benefits of #publictransit are many and are material

Suntimes letters: "However, neither the Editorial Board nor Mr. Dillard notes the environmental benefits of expanding mass transit. According to the American Public Transportation Association, when a commuter with a 20-mile commute switches from driving to public transportation, he or she reduces carbon emissions by 4,800 pounds a year. What’s more, households relying on public transportation instead of cars save $6,251 in annual fuel costs.

We should increase Illinois’s highway tax to pay for extending the Red Line to 130th Street, extending the Blue Line to Yorktown, and building high-speed rail between the Loop and O’Hare. In addition, we should institute congestion pricing—that is, charge people for the privilege of driving downtown. Since 2003, London has done exactly that, charging commuters an average of $17.40 to enter the downtown zone. Since then, London has had a 34 percent drop in downtown drivers. The fee generate $300 million for mass transit every year. And the Brits have received an unexpected bonus–London has experienced a 40 percent decrease in the rate of car crashes."



'via Blog this'

US spending $9m a day to bomb for oil, while 45% of Americans have no #publictransit

Congress must invest in public transportation - Chicago Tribune: "That’s why it’s so disappointing that roughly 45 percent of Americans don’t have access to any public transit.

Congress’ inaction means our entire transportation infrastructure is falling apart. Is this really the best Congress can do? Americans deserve better.

I urge our members of Congress to take the lead to make public transportation the priority it should be. This issue impacts us all."

An extra car in the family costs $12K/yr, #freetransit would be $100/yr. #freeischeaper

Traffic woes make public transportation essential - Chicago Tribune: "Public transportation saves riders time and money and continues to be vital to the economy of our region and our lives. Today, a two-person household can save more than $12,100 a year by downsizing to one car, significant in tough economic times."

Free buses on Wednesdays - Dodge City, KS

Daily Globe: "Dodge City Public Transit will offer free fixed route bus service D-Tran from Aug. 19 to Oct. 21 on Wednesdays.
"We've had a pretty good response so far to the new bus service," mobility manager Ernestor De La Rosa said. "In May we developed the fixed route service with three routes and 45 bus stops. Since then, it's been picking up. For May, we started with 175 rides in the fixed route. For the month of June, we had 873 rides. For July, we had 1,267 rides. We're getting really good feedback on it."
De La Rosa said D-Tran will offer the free service to give the community an opportunity to experience public transportation firsthand."

81 year-old still driving. Is this what we want?

Vehicle at Highway 7 and Vine Hill Road struck by 81-year-old Minnetonka man - Lakeshore Weekly News: Public Safety: "The vehicle hit had been first in line at the intersection at a red light, and the striking vehicle, driven by an 81-year-old Minnetonka man, was directly behind it. The man suddenly accelerated rapidly, striking the vehicle in front of him and pushing it into the intersection. The driver of the vehicle struck was braking, and smoke was visible from the tires. It then spun and ended up facing north in the west bound lanes of Highway 7."

Indiana, Ball State Study, buses good for business

nwtimes : "Investing in bus systems may yield returns for workforce and employers, according to a new study from Ball State University."

Riecken lays plan for improved public transportation

Courier Press: "“By attracting more riders, the city will generate increased funding for transportation, reduce traffic congestion and cut greenhouse gas emissions,” she said. “Many of the fixes to the METS system are quick, easy and inexpensive.”

Riecken’s administration would focus on three things, she said: prioritizing the needs of working citizens and students; developing an improved service environment; and improve safety and provide better bus stops."

Who wants to save $1,000 a month?

Chicago Business Journal: "But perhaps most important— at least from RTA users' perspective — is the Earth Day revelation that commuters who switch to public transit from driving can save almost $1,000 a month in commuting expense.
Now that's an Earth Day bit of news that is likely to get the public thinking about public transportation."

Maybe they leave your state because you insult them

Young adults are getting out of Minnesota | Vita.mn: "Despite a diversified economy and low unemployment, and enough brew pubs, music venues and bike paths to be a hipster haven, Minnesota is losing young people."

Bike lanes and pubs are not enough to attract young people. Stop insulting them.

Minnesota governor wants more tax on gasoline, better #publictransit funding

The Political Animal: "“You’ve got to have a long term commitment,” he said. “This is about moving Minnesota forward.”

Dayton has said transportation is his major priority for the session, along with education.

He has proposed boosting funding for roads and bridges by levying a new 6.5-percent sales tax on gasoline at the wholesale level, which would raise prices 16.5 cents or more at the pump."

One day #freetransit during Nebraska Public Transit Week

KOTATV.com: "This week is Public Transit Week and today all riders are riding for free.  Nebraska Public Transit Week is an effort to bring knowledge and understanding of public transportation offered throughout the state."

Fight here or fight over there

The battle in the US over #publictransit funding is the same war as the war in Iraq. Either the US turns the ship away from #autosprawl, or you get to watch your sons get beheaded for trying to kill Muslims for control of oil.

Public transit funding cuts in proposed Ill. budget could cost riders, RTA says | abc7chicago.com: "SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- Gov. Bruce Rauner vows to cut funding for public transit as the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board plans to rally the community to protest the proposed cuts.
"

Minnesota #publictransit ridership up, funding not

insightnews : "Over the past ten years, metro area bus ridership has increased 14% and outstate ridership has increased 25%--but funding for buses has stayed flat."

Bus ridership increasing in Indiana

indystar.com :The number of passengers on IndyGo buses topped 10 million last year, the most riders since 1991.

The city’s public transportation agency said 10.29 million people rode buses in 2014 and ridership hit monthly records seven times during the course of the year. The yearly total was the highest since 9.67 million rode the buses 23 years ago, when the bus system was named Metro.

12 Signs That The Economy Is Really Starting To Bleed Oil Patch Jobs

Zero Hedge: "
In states like North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas, which have reaped the benefits of a domestic oil boom, the retrenchment is beginning.
 
“Drilling budgets are being slashed across the board,” said Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, which represents more than 500 companies working in the state’s Bakken oil patch."