It's been a busy summer and public transportation continues to be in the news. Scroll down for the latest updates on both local and national public transportation issues.
Milwaukee County Budget Process: County Executive Chris Abele will be holding two Town Hall Meetings this week, which will allow the public to voice their opinions on next year’s budget – this is a great opportunity to show your support for transit. RSVP required: count...@milwcnty.com
Monday, August 13, 2012 – 5:00pm-6:30pm
At McGovern Park Senior Center, 4500 W Custer Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53218
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 – 10:00am-11:30am
At West Allis City Hall Council Chambers, 7525 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, WI 53214
Looking for more information on the upcoming budget? The Milwaukee County Mental Health Task Force has created a page on their website dedicated to the 2013 Milwaukee County Budget, which includes materials on transportation issues.
Milwaukee County Transit System’s Future Sustainability Appears Bleak:
Last month MCTS released a report indicating that the financial sustainability over the next five years looks bleak. Federal CMAQ funds, the latest stop gap funding mechanism used to keep the system functioning, will expire in February of 2014 and a recent cut in state funding will have a significant impact. The report estimates that if nothing is done, MCTS may have to cut service from 19 to 29%. Below are links to articles and stories that discuss the potential impact: · Report paints bleak picture of bus system’s future (7/1/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · Transit System Facing Nearly 30% service reduction (7/3/12) Urban Milwaukee · Transit is a tool that needs sustainable funding source (7/7/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · Transit System Outlook Concerning Without Significant Funding Changes (7/11/12) WUWM, Radio interview Upcoming Public Transportation Conference: August 14-16th in Chicago, IL
At the State Public Transportation Conference hear about best practices and programs of state associations and state transportation departments, as well as federal, state and local partnerships for public transportation. Click here to view the workshop schedule and program offerings. Co-sponsored by AASHTO and CTAA.
New Federal Transportation Bill Approved:
More than 1000 days after the last transportation bill expired, Congress finally voted to approve a new transportation bill. Unfortunately for those hoping for a bold step into the future, this bill represents a definite step backwards, the last gasp of an outdated 20th century program. Learn more about the bill here.
Moving Forward Together
Coalition for Advancing Transit
IN THE NEWS · Couture project could help public transportation (7/28/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · Milwaukee County gets $3.2 million in federal funds for buses (7/23/12) Biz Times · Nearly $12 million in federal grants headed to 5 Wisconsin bus systems (7/23/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · Feds reject city’s funding request to extend streetcar line (7/22/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | 
