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."

Portage Indiana excited about new #publictransit investment

EDITORIAL: Public transportation is on a roll: ""Portage is very excited about this opportunity to enhance our community with easily available public transit," Snyder wrote to NIRPC in late November.

"For Portage and Hobart to consider public transportation is a great thing and could introduce a new era," NIRPC Deputy Director Steve Strains said.

Among the options are cooperating with existing transit agencies in the region.

In addition, a new "Triangle Service" is set to begin in mid-January, serving Michigan City, LaPorte and Purdue North Central. That bus service is a three-year experiment using mainly federal funds, although Michigan City, LaPorte and PNC are chipping in as well.

We hope the Hobart, Portage and LaPorte County services are successful."

More NWI communities want to expand public transit

nwitimes: "A new "Triangle Service" is ready to start up in mid-January among Michigan City, LaPorte and Purdue University North Central, LaPorte TransPorte's Tom MacLennan told a meeting of the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission's Transportation Policy Committee on Tuesday.

The demonstration bus service is being funded for three years mainly with federal funds. Michigan City, LaPorte, LaPorte County and Purdue North Central are contributing local funds.

In another sign of the growing interest in public transit, Hobart and Portage are both ready to embark on feasibility studies of instituting public transit, said NIRPC transit planner Belinda Petroskey."

Chicago's Millennials Don't Like To Drive, Want More Public Transit

DNAinfo: "Millennials are drawn more toward living in urban communities than other generations. That means places where cars are less necessary and walking, biking and public transit are more of an option."

Pipeline project: 30-inch oil pipeline would be largest originating in N.D.

New oil pipeline will cost billions and create spills. Why not make buses fare-free? Then we would not even need the oil.

Jamestown Sun: "Energy Transfer Partners LP of Dallas says it expects to have the $3.7 billion, 1,100-mile Bakken Pipeline completed and in service by the end of 2016.

It would be the largest crude oil pipeline originating in North Dakota, said Justin Kringstad, director of the state Pipeline Authority."