Move MN Session Recap & Call to Action

By Dave Van Hattum, Senior Policy Advocate

 

At the State Capitol earlier this month, TLC and Move MN supporters delivered nearly 1400 letters pushing legislators for more than a band-aid approach to transportation funding.

 

“The future of transportation in Minnesota and the funding for it have to be among the 2015 legislative session’s top priorities.” (Governor Mark Dayton, April 30, 2014)

 

For Transit for Livable Communities, our members, and our allies in the Move MN coalition—who worked together this past legislative session to make transportation investment a priority—this statement from Governor Dayton is a measure of success, but it is also a rallying cry for the year ahead.

 

Growing the Movement

Over the last half year, the Move MN coalition grew to over 180 organizations, businesses, and associations and gathered support from more than 20 cities, 500 townships, and 80 counties. Transportation interests vary widely by geography, by mode, by sector. Nevertheless, Move MN coalition members successfully united around one comprehensive legislative proposal, guided by the key principle of investing in all modes statewide.

Move MN united a broad and diverse coalition of groups from around the state. Picture here (L to R), coalition members from AFSCME, Fresh Energy, the American Heart Association, and TLC rally together in the Capitol Rotunda.

 

Moving Legislation Forward

The transportation bills passed by the House and Senate Transportation Committees (HF 2395 and SF 2107) aligned closely with our Move MN proposal, and included funding for transit, roads and bridges, and bicycling and walking throughout the state. The ¾-cent sales tax for metro-area transit, included in the bills, would fund the transit vision TLC has advanced for over a decade. The bills also included the first dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian connections in Minnesota. Passing these bills out of both committees was a definitive step forward; similar legislation did not make it through the House committee in 2013.

 
House and Senate Transportation Committee Chairs, Sen. Scott Dibble (L) and Rep. Frank Hornstein (R), were strong champions at the legislature this year. Both of their committees successfully passed bills that would fund transit, bicycling, walking, roads, and bridges statewide.

 

Pushing Back

Transit for Livable Communities, our members, and Move MN coalition partners pushed hard to keep up momentum for this essential legislation this session. And when the legislature responded by directing only a small amount of money to transportation while sidelining a comprehensive package, we pushed back.

 

After a successful outreach campaign this spring, state senators and representatives across the state received nearly 1400 letters about Move MN from constituents calling for more than a band-aid solution to fix Minnesota’s transportation system. These letters—along with thousands of Move MN postcards and petition signatures, dozens of letters to the editor, weekly phone banks, and numerous stakeholder meetings, rallies, and press conferences throughout the 2014 session—sent the resounding message that Minnesotans need and expect sustainable, long-term funding to address inadequate transit and bike/pedestrian connections, deficient bridges, and aging roads.

 

 
No More Band-Aids for Transportation: Thanks to all who wrote their legislators and delivered letters at the Capitol in May--and to all who took action and volunteered their time on the Move MN campaign this session!

 

While the political winds ultimately prevented a transportation bill from getting to the finish line at the Capitol this year, we have built a strong foundation of support and have positioned transportation funding as the unfinished business of the session.

 

As Senate Transportation Committee Chair Scott Dibble affirmed last week, “Everyone associated with Move MN should be extremely pleased with how far we’ve come in building both the policy and political case for passing a substantial, comprehensive leap forward for transportation in Minnesota.”

Gearing Up

 

Minnesota's transportation problems aren't going to disappear, so neither is our call for a real solution. If we want to see success in the coming year, coalition partners and TLC members will need to expand efforts leading up to the next legislative session and also ensure that transportation is a top issue on the campaign trail this fall.

 

To that end, TLC and Move MN are gearing up for a busy summer. We’re headed to fairs, festivals, bike rides, transit stops, and project openings around the state. And we’re calling on you to help educate and engage the public about transportation needs in your area and to build a broader, stronger movement for legislative action in 2015. Together we can make sure every state legislator knows investment in transportation is both urgent and inevitable. Thanks for standing with us as the fight continues!

Volunteers needed: TLC and the Sierra Club will be talking up Move MN at the Green Line grand opening on Saturday, June 14. We’d love your help! Sign up to volunteer.

 

Special thanks to Cailin Rogers, campaign organizer, for her work with TLC and Move MN during the 2014 session!

 

Our 2014 Legislative Agenda

  This legislative session, Transit for Livable Communities will:

1)    Support the Move Mn Legislative Package to fund transit, bicycling, walking, and roads and bridges statewide.

• Metro area transit/bicycling and pedestrian projects
• Greater Minnesota transit
• Greater Minnesota bicycling and pedestrian projects
• Roads and bridges statewide

 

2)    Support General Obligation (GO) Bonding for transit, high speed rail, Safe Routes To School, trails.

• Southwest LRT - $81 Million
• Heywood Garage - $20 Million
• Arterial BRT - $15 Million
• 35W South BRT - $20 Million
• Transitway Capital Improvement - $60 Million
• Greater MN Transit - $8.24 Million
• Safe Routes to School - $3.2 Million
• High Speed Rail - $26 Million
• Various trail projects that have a transportation function

       

3)    Support legislation to allow electronic and photo monitoring for enforcement, data collection, traffic planning, driver education, and as a means of reducing road wear, crashes, and injuries. 

 

• Legislation is expected to allow cities to use this technology if they desire. Cameras would photograph a vehicle license plate and the driver of the vehicle. Tickets could only be issued for red light running and nothing else. This legislation would comply with current state law, unlike the former program in the city of Minneapolis.

 

4)     Join and support the Minimum Wage Coalition working to raise the minimum wage in Minnesota to $9.50 per hour in 2015.

 

 

Move MN Gains Momentum

By Cailin Rogers, Campaign Organizer

TLC's Executive Director Barb Thoman co-presented the Move MN funding proposal to House & Senate Transportation Committee members and a packed hearing room at the Capitol on Feb. 18. (Credit: TLC)

 

The Move MN campaign made huge strides the past few weeks as coalition members prepared for the start of the legislative session on February 25. The room was packed for a joint hearing with the House and Senate Transportation Committees earlier this month as elected officials, community representatives, and both local and national transportation experts testified on Minnesota’s need for comprehensive transportation funding this session. A second hearing, in the State Capitol, brought out even more supporters of the Move MN coalition as the group unveiled its funding package and more Minnesotans from across the state testified about urgent transportation needs in their area.

 

The push for comprehensive transportation funding is a major focus of TLC’s 2014 legislative agenda. And it was a focus at our member meeting earlier this month. At the event, members also heard about our new Transportation Options program and other exciting initiatives—including plans for the Green Line grand opening on June 14. Following updates from staff and questions from members, we shifted into break-out groups to write letters and sign postcards to legislators, and to practice talking with elected officials and others about the significant needs and benefits of investing in transit, bicycling, and walking in 2014. Members also shared topic ideas for this year’s Transportation on Tap series and other informative TLC events, and had a fun time making their own pedal-powered bike smoothies. Throughout the evening, TLC snapped some great pictures of folks with their favorite modes of transportation. Thanks to everyone who could join us—we enjoyed connecting with all of you! The conversations between members and staff showed that TLC’s work and Move MN continue to progress in the right direction to support safe, accessible transportation options around the state.

 

See more photos from our February member meeting on the TLC Facebook page. (Credit: Allison Osberg, TLC.)

 

Just yesterday, Transportation Committee Chairs Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. Frank Hornstein introduced transportation funding bills SF2107 & HF2395, respectively. They include a seven-county-metro sales tax for transit, bicycling, and walking; a gross-receipts gas tax for roads and bridges statewide; trunk highway bonds to get these projects moving (and people to work) more quickly; closing the loophole for sales tax on leased vehicles to expand transit in Greater Minnesota; and new federal money for bike/ped improvements in Greater Minnesota. Watch for a bill summary with more details next week.

 

"One of the fastest and best ways to create good jobs is by investing in our infrastructure."
President Obama speaking at Saint Paul Union Depot this week

 

The news coverage of Move MN has gained steam as well. From more than 70 counties and over 300 townships signing onto the campaign to a discussion of Move MN’s objectives in the media, expect to see even more coverage on Move MN and our state’s need for transportation funding legislation in the coming weeks. As the conversation gets flowing, we can use your voice in the mix! You can get involved in several ways:

1. Participate in Move MN’s biggest upcoming event: Move MN Transportation Day and Rally at the Capitol on March 13. Come meet with your legislator to advocate for transportation funding and stay for a rally in the rotunda at the Capitol. Join us at nearby Christ Lutheran Church between 1:00 and 3:30 PM for an advocate workshop that includes legislator meeting training, sign making, and a question/answer session about Move MN. Before 4:00 PM, we will march over the Capitol for a rally in the rotunda to show support for comprehensive transportation funding this session. RSVP here to let us know if you can make it!
   
   
2. Meet with your legislator. Meet with your legislators to talk with them about why you support transportation funding for all modes and why passing the bill described above is essential this legislative session. We’re happy to help you schedule and prepare for the meeting. Just contact us to let us know you’re interested.
   
   
3. Join us for phone banking. We need to get the word about Move MN to our supporters and ways that they can help this session! Come phone bank every other Thursday from 6:00-8:30 PM at the Sierra Club office in Minneapolis. We’ll feed you! The next phone bank is Monday, March 10. RSVP here to join.
   
   
4. Sign a Letter to the Editor. Legislators listen to their constituents in a variety of ways! Telling them directly about your concerns is vital, but swaying other people who live in your area is important too! Please sign up here if you would be willing to sign a Letter to the Editor. We can help with facts and figures and draft letters you can make your own.
   
   
5. Attend a Tele-Town Hall. In early March, we will host a virtual town hall meeting with people from your area of Minnesota. You can listen, ask questions, and contact your legislator—all from your living room! If you want to participate, RSVP here and we’ll make sure you get a call.

 

 

Move MN Campaign Launches

By Hilary Reeves, Communications Director

 

The Move MN campaign is taking off. The web site (www.movemn.org) launched in early January. The following week several organizations (including TLC) co-hosted a forum focused on transportation, jobs, and equity (read about the forum here and here—and watch a short video here). Around the state, people and organizations interested in transportation got together at Move MN meetings in Rochester, St. Cloud, Willmar, Duluth, and Mankato. And this week, the campaign officially kicked off with a press conference at the Capitol.

 

TLC’s Barb Thoman at January 23 launch of Move MN. (Photo courtesy of Move MN.)

 

Multimodal in scope—transit, roads, bridges, bicycling and walking—and statewide in its reach, Move MN brings together more than 130 organizations, including members of the Transit for a Stronger Economy coalition that pushed for increased transportation funding in 2013. 

Why do we need to fix transportation this session?

1. the high cost of transportation—getting around—for working families
2. jobs
3. aging infrastructure
4. competition
5. our environment
6. public health and active transportation

In 2008, after the I-35W bridge collapse, the legislature over-rode Governor Pawlenty’s veto to pass new funding to repair bridges and roads and put some money toward transit. Those funds have made a difference. They allowed MnDOT to address the worst bridges. They funded the Red Line BRT in the south metro and the soon to open Green Line LRT between Saint Paul and Minneapolis and continue to fund operating costs for transitways. Statewide, there is some level of transit service in all but one county. But, the funds only go that far. 

The calendar has been full lately with opportunities for feedback about transportation projects:  Southwest LRT alignment, Gateway corridor plans, Midtown corridor alternatives, Metro Transit’s Service Improvement Plan for local and express bus service, Saint Paul bike plan, MnDOT statewide bike plan, federal bike/ped funds under Transportation Alternatives, and more. 

The bottom line is that if we don’t go forward, we will go backward on transportation. 

If you like the progress the Twin Cities is making on transit but want more bus service and the kinds of LRT, BRT, or streetcar routes you’ve seen in other cities, please let your elected officials know.

If you like communities where it’s possible to ride your bicycle or walk to get places—and for kids to get to school on foot or bicycle—it’s time to call for funding for more bike routes and safer sidewalks in communities across the state.

If you wonder why the same piece of road gets potholes every few years or wonder about the safety of the state’s bridges, make sure funds exist to do routine maintenance and complete rebuilds when necessary. 

In New Jersey political payback comes through deliberate closure of lanes on a bridge, stopping everything from school buses to ambulances to trucks. In Minnesota let’s demonstrate a different kind of transportation politics—the kind that moves us where we need to go.

How can you be involved? Take a transportation resolution to your precinct caucus on February 4! Talk to your neighbors. Call your elected officials. Get in touch with Cailin at TLC ([email protected]) to find out what is coming up with Move MN.

  

# # #

 

 

Still hope for a bold transportation bill this session!

By Dave Van Hattum, Senior Policy Advocate

Taking action: This week at the Capitol, supporters called on legislators to fund transportation now.

In a surprise move a week ago, freshman senator Melisa Franzen offered an amendment on the Senate floor to the Omnibus Transportation Funding bill to provide new funding for roads and transit. That amendment passed and, soon after, the entire bill was adopted.  HF 1444 (previously SF 1173) includes a phased-in half-cent increase in the metro area sales tax for transit, and a phased-in increase of 5 cents in the state gas tax. The amended bill also includes a small percentage for bicycle and pedestrian connections, and increases transit funding for Greater Minnesota, meeting 70 percent of the need. Together, these investments will put Minnesota’s transportation system on the right path for the future. The question now is whether these elements make it into law this session.

TLC and the Transit for a Stronger Economy coalition have advocated all session for a funding bill that will greatly expand transit, and safe, accessible bicycling and walking connections. This past Wednesday, the coalition gathered outside the Governor’s office and marched to Speaker Thissen’s office. The walls of the Capitol echoed with voices calling, “Transportation Now!”       

This week, the Minnesota House and Senate have been conferencing the bold Senate bill with a “lights on” House Transportation funding bill that offers no increase in funding, but rather keeps status quo transportation budgets in place.  The Conference Committee is comprised of the following legislators.

Senate	House
Dibble	Hornstein
Champion	Bernardy
Carlson	Beard
Jensen	Erhardt
Kent	Sundin

There is still hope that end-of-session negotiations will get the job done on transportation. One possibility is that the half-cent sales tax will be packaged with $300 million in trunk highway bonds and as yet unnamed additional funding for roads. Another funding effort is a House bonding bill, championed by Rep. Alice Hausman, with funding for Southwest light rail and other key transit projects. 

All session, Governor Dayton has remained committed to his budget proposal, which includes a half-cent increase in the metro sales tax to significantly expand the metro area transit system. Let’s thank the Governor (click here or call 651-201-3400) and inspire him and legislative leaders to get the job done in the final few days.

The Transit for a Stronger Economy coalition will remain engaged in legislative action right up to the final bell—in this case, Monday, May 20.  We encourage other transit, bicycling, and walking advocates to do the same, and to keep the pressure on your elected officials through the weekend!  

Take action: send a quick message to your state legislators right now.

Photo Credit: Val Escher

Update from the Capitol: Senate Introduces a Bill that’s Good for Transit, Bicyclists, and Pedestrians

By Dave Van Hattum, Senior Policy Advocate 

 

Supporters of comprehensive transportation funding filled the Capitol Rotunda at a lively rally Wednesday morning.

 

Comprehensive transit /transportation funding bills are still alive in the Minnesota Senate and House. The metro area transit funding package that TLC has advocated includes substantial new funding for buses, rail and bicycle and walking options. There have been numerous ups and downs (as is typical for a major bill). A Senate bill being voted on today, however, gives us renewed hope. See more detail below.

Transit advocates appreciate Governor Dayton’s leadership. His proposed budget  includes a ½ cent increase in the metro area sales tax for transit. There is consensus by Capitol experts, however, that this plan will only be passed by the House and Senate if it is combined with significant new funding for roads and bridges. The logic for this is that Minnesota legislators have always addressed transportation as a statewide issue. Greater Minnesota legislators are more likely to vote for a package that addresses road, bridge, and transit needs in their districts.  

Moving separately in the House is a capital investment bill championed by Representative Hausman that includes significant bonding for public transit, Safe Routes to School, local roads, bridges, and trails. The Senate has yet to take up a bonding bill this session, so the path for adoption is still unclear.

 

Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak with supporters at today’s rally for transportation funding.

 

Transit advocates are joining with proponents of funding for roads and bridges, working hard at the Capitol, reaching legislators through phone banks, and hosting a Rally at the Capitol today.

All these efforts reflect the strong support for major transportation investments this session. We believe the Governor and legislative leaders (speaker Thissen in the House, and Majority Leader Bakk in the Senate) should pass into law a balanced transportation bill that addresses the statewide need for transit, roads, bridges, and bicycle and pedestrian connections.

 

In her remarks at today’s rally, transit advocate and North Minneapolis resident Kenya McKnight emphasized that all communities need transit options, safe roads, and bicycling and walking connections.

 

The bill supported by TLC and the Transit for a Stronger Economy coalition earlier this session included increased transit funding as well as substantial new dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements in the metro area. We’re happy to report that these elements remain in place in both the Senate transportation bill (which will be heard Wednesday evening in committee) and in a House bill that is working its way through various committees.

 

  

The resounding message at the Capitol today: transportation is essential for a stronger economy, transportation bills are jobs bills.

 

Senate Transportation Bill includes the following:

Transit/bike/walk

•          ½-cent increase in the metro area sales tax for transit (buses and trains), which will rapidly accelerate the build out a 21-st century transit system.

•          Dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and planning studies for streetcars.

•          $10 million additional funding per year for Greater Minnesota transit.

Roads/bridges

•          A tax at the distributor level on fuel (this exists already in more than a dozen other states) combined with a reduction of the gas tax.

 

 

After the rally, TLC and Transit for a Stronger Economy coalition partners headed to Governor Dayton’s office to deliver hundreds of postcards and messages supporting increased funding for transit and safe, accessible bicycling and walking.

 

The message is clear: we need a comprehensive transportation bill and the Senate has a good plan. The Senate bill will be heard in committees over the next week. We are hopeful that the House will take up a similar bill. Please help us keep the pressure to pass a strong and balanced bill this session (take action here). It’s essential for a stronger economy for all Minnesotans.

 

Find a Way!

Transit for Livable Communities is calling on legislators and the Governor to find a way to get a strong transportation bill passed this session. This week comprehensive transportation bills are moving through House and Senate committees. Transportation laws are usually statewide. In the metro, we have an historic opportunity to build out the regional transit system (bus and rail, bicycling and safe, accessible walking) in fifteen years, not whenever. We know this has statewide impact, but also that there are transportation needs in the metro and greater Minnesota for roads, bridges, and transit. There are corridors of commerce, safety and congestion issues, and farmers who need to get to market on bridges in good repair.

So we are saying to the legislature—find a way to get this done. This session!

This region needs an additional ½-cent for transit in the metro to get residents to work affordably and on time. This state needs to address critical infrastructure needs. If we don’t act this session, we send a signal to everyone that Minnesota is sitting on its hands, ready to watch other regions get ahead of us, have our children move there to work and raise families, have corporations decide this state isn’t serious.

Just as with education reform, we’re looking at the toddler today and saying we need a transit system that reaches across the metro by the time that child is ready to go to college. It’s about affordability, it’s about attracting and retaining jobs, it’s about access to jobs (in the core and in the suburbs), it’s about seniors aging in place. We also know it’s about creating healthy, livable communities—with less pollution and more active lifestyles.

Statewide, we need to address key corridors of commerce and ensure safety of our roads and bridges. We also have a huge unmet need for transit across the state.

We all depend on our infrastructure every day to get us where we’re going. The legislature needs to act this session to make sure we have funding for all our transportation needs. This is not a time to sit back and wait.

What can you do?

1)      Help us pack the Rotunda for a Transportation Rally at the Capitol. Wednesday, April 17, 10:00-11:00 am. Stay longer if you can to meet with your legislator. Info / RSVP here.

2)      Visit http://www.transit4mn.org/p/get-involved.html for links to use to call your legislator. Make sure your elected representatives know you support increased revenue for transit, roads and bridges this session.

Met Council/TAB Propose 58 New Transportation Projects for Funding

By Dave Van Hattum, Senior Policy Advocate

The Metropolitan Council recently took public comment on an amendment to add 58 transportation projects totaling $159 million in federal funding to its project list known as the “TIP.” These projects were selected by the Met Council’s Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) in 2012. The applications were first submitted back in 2011.

Here is a sample of four of 58 projects being funded—one from each of the four categories and the amount of federal funding to be awarded:

• $6 $7 million widening of TH116 in Anoka County from two lanes to four lanes in the cities of Andover and Ham Lake (Surface Transportation Program category)
• $1 million for an extension of the Point Douglas Regional Trail in Washington County (Transportation Enhancement category)
• $6.4 million for improved bus service on Snelling Avenue in Saint Paul (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Category)
• $1.6 million for replacement of a Hennepin County bridge on TH46 over Godfrey Parkway in Minneapolis (Bridge Improvement and Replacement Category)

Click here for the full list of projects by category.

As a fairly new member of the Transportation Advisory Board, let me attempt to decode how this process works.

Every couple of years, the Twin Cities region decides how to spend a good chunk of federal transportation funds—approximately $160 million to $180 million. The Twin Cities Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) is tasked with running a process to make these funding decisions. TAB, an extension of the Metropolitan Council, is comprised of 33 members including elected officials.

The federal funding allocated by TAB is a relatively small amount compared to larger sums of state and federal transportation funding that MnDOT, and to a lesser extent, the Met Council and regional transit agencies, allocate. However, the variety of transportation projects that can be funded with this money is less constrained (i.e. no state constitutional limits restricting funds for “highway purposes only”), and could have a greater amount of public input.

The Transportation Advisory Board (with assistance from a Technical Advisory Committee) creates funding categories and develops detailed scoring criteria to select what it believes is the best slate of projects proposed by local units of government and other public agencies. The Regional Solicitation process gives all cities and counties in the region an opportunity to submit projects for TAB’s consideration.

When approved, the Metropolitan Council will add this new roster of 58 projects to its running list—the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) document. These projects are planned for implementation over the next few years. The TIP includes a listing of all road, bridge, transit, and non-motorized projects in the region funded with federal money.

Advocates should take note that local decision-making about how to spend much of this federal money has great flexibility, particularly in the category called the Surface Transportation Program (STP).

Unfortunately, the TIP amendment is the end of a lengthy project selection process and, as such, is not the best opportunity to shape outcomes. So where does the greatest opportunity for public impact lie?

The key shapers of outcomes are: 1) how the regional solicitation is designed, 2) the TAB policies that put certain projects in certain categories, and 3) the scoring criteria and selection of projects by the TAB/Met Council.

Given recent changes in federal law, the Met Council has recognized the need to re-assess, from the ground up, the categories, selection process, and scoring criteria for this flexible federal funding. The Council is also developing a new long-range regional plan (Thrive MSP), which will inform the Council’s Transportation Policy Plan, which then informs how money, including this federal funding, gets spent.

Bottom line: As we’ve reported previously, how Twin Cities residents get around is changing greatly, with less car travel and far more transit, bicycling, and walking (partly made possible by more compact, mixed-use development and improving transportation options). The biggest opportunity for change will come in the future when there is an opportunity to influence the criteria and policies that drive the type of projects that can be submitted and how they are scored. Stay tuned for future communications about opportunities to help shape how our region grows and how it invests federal, state, and local resources.

 

Increasing access to transit

By Hilary Reeves, Communications Director

 

Of the nearly 2 million people with disabilities who never leave their homes, 560,000 never leave home because of transportation difficulties. American Association of People with Disabilities

The 2013 Minnesota legislative session could be pivotal in delivering more transportation options for people with disabilities—and all residents of the state. Several voices—including the Governor, regional Chambers of Commerce, and the Transit for a Stronger Economy coalition—are saying that more transit is essential to our economic health. But whether these investments will happen depends on the votes at the legislature this session.

The Transit for a Stronger Economy coalition supports legislation (HF 1044 and SF 927) that would greatly expand transit (in the metro and statewide) as well as funding for bicycling, walking, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With more than 45 members statewide, Transit for a Stronger Economy unites unions, developers, people with disabilities, low-income and underserved communities, and active transportation, health, and environmental interests.

For people with disabilities, the bill and the new funding that it would bring, would make a difference in three key ways:

1)     Funding to local cities and counties for ADA facilities.
The bill would provide $50 million per year to metro-area cities and counties to address local needs, including ADA enhancements, safer sidewalks, bicycle routes, and other transit investments, such as shuttles. By law, all new facilities must be ADA compliant. These funds could help cities and counties retrofit existing facilities or fund system enhancements for which funds are never available.

“For instance, Metro Mobility could add text messaging to users that their ride is approaching, just like taxicabs currently have,” said Ken Rodgers, chair of the Minneapolis Disability Committee. “Or, cities or counties could upgrade telephone systems for paratransit so waiting queues aren’t so long.” 

 

People with disabilities in communities across the country continue to face barriers such as inaccessible bus stops, intersections without curb ramps, street crossings and pedestrian signals that are not audible to individuals with visual disabilities, and barriers such as telephone poles blocking sidewalks. If people with disabilities cannot even get down their streets, they will be unable to connect to other forms of transportation. American Association of People with Disabilities

 

2)     Expansion of local bus service—in the metro and greater Minnesota.
The plan calls for a 4% increase in bus service in the metro, which means more routes and longer service hours, including weekends and non-peak hours. In Greater Minnesota, the funding would add 250 bus routes across 64 operating systems, including adding transit service in un-served counties. Expanded service means expanded access for persons with disabilities, both on regular route service and via paratransit.

By law, paratransit service (service for people with disabilities who are unable to use public transit) is tied to regular transit service routes and hours. To be eligible for services such as Metro Mobility, a person with disabilities must live within a certain distance of regular-route bus service. Expanding coverage for bus service means, therefore, that more people with disabilities will be eligible for paratransit service.

As noted by the American Association of Persons with Disabilities (AAPD), “fixed-route public transit is the goal of the ADA for those who are able to use it. Paratransit was envisioned only for those people with disabilities who are unable to use mass transit systems, not for those who merely choose paratransit.” Making regular route transit service work for more people can mean adding curb cuts to make streets more accessible and making fixed-route service more ADA compliant, says AAPD, adding that “sometimes the biggest impediment to greater use of mass transit by an individual with a disability is fear or inexperience.” This is also true for many people without disabilities who have not tried riding the bus!

3)     Higher-amenity service makes boarding easier for people with disabilities. In the metro, the funding plan would add high-amenity rapid bus service (also called enhanced bus) on 12 routes. Rapid buses mimic light rail trains and have lower boarding doors, making it easier for people using wheelchairs to board. The region would also see three more light rail lines (including Southwest, Bottineau, and an east-metro line) and Bus Rapid Transit on four more highway corridors.

 

Keeping people with disabilities at home keeps them out of jobs, away from shopping, and out of community life, and it prevents them from making valuable contributions to our society as individuals, as workers, as consumers, and as taxpayers. American Association of People with Disabilities

 

To learn more about the Transit for a Stronger Economy campaign and legislation to fund transit, walking, bicycling, and ADA compliance, visit www.transit4mn.org. 

Show your support at the hearing on March 20, 6-7:30pm, at the State Office Building, Room 10.

 

Transit Vision Bill Introduced

Statewide Poll and Transit for a Stronger Economy Coalition
Support Investments in Transit, Bicycling, Walking, and ADA Compliance

St. Paul, Minn. (Feb. 28, 2013)—A bill introduced today calls for increased funding for transit in the metro and greater Minnesota. The bill (HF 1044 and SF 927), authored by Senator Bobby Joe Champion and Representative Melissa Hortman, calls for an additional $300 million per year in the metro and $32 million in Greater Minnesota to meet demand for transit and for safe, accessible connections for people walking, bicycling, or using wheelchairs.

Co-authors of the bill in the Senate include Senators Scott Dibble (DFL,  61), Chuck Wiger (DFL, 43), John Pederson (R, 14) , and Chris A. Eaton (DFL, 40). Co-authors in the House include Representatives Frank Hornstein (DFL, 61A),  Zachary Dorholt (DFL, 14B),  Sandra Masin (DFL 51A), Leon Lillie (DFL, 43B),  Raymond Dehn (DFL, 59B), Paul Rosenthal (DFL, 49B), Jason Metsa (DFL, 06B), Ron Erhardt (DFL, 49A).

“We need a transit system that allows all our region’s residents to thrive,” said Senator Bobby Joe Champion, chief author of the bill in the Senate. “This bill would dramatically increase access to jobs for low income people and make it more affordable to get to work. Transportation is the second largest household expense. It costs more than health care or education. Existing transit riders need better transit options and our region needs this to compete.”

Representative Melissa Hortman, chief author of the bill in the House, said, "Across the state, people want more options and support investment in public transportation. And they want bicycling and walking to be part of that investment. This bill is an opportunity to solve problems for Minnesotans, creating a more competitive, healthier state. "

Poll: statewide support for investments in transit, bicycling, and walking.

A statewide poll conducted in January by the bipartisan team of Fairbanks, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (D) and Public Opinion Strategies (R) shows public transportation is broadly supported and that a majority favor including bicycle and pedestrian projects in transportation funding proposals.

• More than 90% surveyed agree that public transportation is a good investment for the state.
• Over two-thirds (67 69%) of those surveyed favor including bicycle and pedestrian funding in transportation proposals.
• A majority support paying more in taxes to expand and improve public transportation.
• The top reasons for supporting transit focus on creating jobs, reducing traffic congestion, and making sure transit options are available to all.

Transit for a Stronger Economy Coalition

Transit for a Stronger Economy includes more than 40 organizations from across the state and unites unions, developers, people with disabilities, low-income and underserved communities, and active transportation, health, and environmental interests to promote funding for transit expansion this legislative session. The coalition’s vision for the Twin Cities metro region includes expanding transit, including bus and rail, and funding bicycle and walking projects, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. The coalition also calls for meeting transit demand in Greater Minnesota.

“This coalition recognizes the great need to provide safe, accessible connections to transit. Transit, bicycling, and walking add much-needed activity to the daily commute, making our communities healthier,” said Rachel Callanan of the American Heart Association.

"We must make smart investments in transit to create good jobs and address climate change," said David Foster, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance. "We're proud to support this effort to sustain and improve transit options in our state."

Developer Colleen Carey of The Cornerstone Group has worked on new projects all over the metro area. “Transit is a win for all of us,” she said. “It is good for the environment, good for our health, creates new jobs, improves the long-term economic competitiveness of our region AND supports the needs of our lower income households at the same time.  We can't afford NOT to invest in transit.  The Cornerstone Group strongly supports the vision of the Transit for a Stronger Economy coalition.”

There will be hearings on the bill in House and Senate in March. For more about the Transit for a Stronger Economy coalition,, including a list of members, visit www.transit4mn.org.

Updated 3-18-13.

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