Charlottesville, VA, Using More Public Transportation

newsplex: ""I would love to have to add another bus or two. It would be great to get more cars off 29 and fewer cars into the city would just be great. I know the city is excited about it as well," said McKeel."

Advocacy group aims to promote public transportation in Greensboro

yesweekly : "During the meeting, TAP proposed an initiative that was highly favored by the members of council. Entitled “Five Mile Challenge,” TAP is challenging each person in the community to ride five miles on public transit and share their experiences with the group. District 1 council member Sharon Hightower was most enthusiastic about the proposed initiative. Additionally, District 3’s Justin Outling has worked with Saunders for more than a month, listening to ideas and updates in regards to the initiative. Mayor Nancy Vaughan recommended that all of council support the challenge. The purpose of the challenge is to bring awareness to the reasons why choice riders do not ride the bus and encourage these changes to be made to remove these barriers.

In addition to the Five Mile Challenge, TAP is implementing a bus buddy program for citizens. The program seeks to form groups of friends and neighbors willing to take public transit, inviting them through email or social media to go on specific bus trips in order to achieve their 5-mile goal. This program will involve businesses promoting which stops and routes service their company. Also, the businesses will act as bus buddies by creating Facebook events or sending email threads to invite their customers to ride the bus with them to their business."

Building more roads to solve congestion is like loosening your belt to solve obesity

Houston Chronicle: "Two weeks before the Nov. 3, 2015, election, Gov. Greg Abbott penned an op-ed that ran in the Dallas Morning News on Oct. 16, 2015, and again in the Austin American- Statesman three days later, urging voters to support a state constitutional proposition to funnel more dollars to funding Texas roads. He made the case by citing what daily traffic congestion costs Texas motorists in dollars, over the course of a year." 

Hopeful signs of #publictransit advocacy in Paducah

WKMS: "“Our citizens of Paducah and McCracken County are now realizing the impact a public transportation system has in all of our individuals lives and the impact that it has in the community.” Boykin said.

Boykin said this is the first real conversation that has been had about the suggested upgrades and many of the changes won’t happen overnight."

45% of Americans have no #publictransit

Sun Sentinel: "45 percent of Americans have no public transit. This should be unacceptable in a modern society.

Congress needs to make public transit the priority it should be by passing a long-term transportation bill with increased investment in public transit. And they should do it this year, while there is still time. Our economy, environment, and quality of life are all at stake. "

Trolleys and circulators show the power of fare-free transit

Miami Herald: "“The trolleys are simply wonderful,” said Amalia Sandoval, a Venezuelan who lives in Coral Gables and rides the trolley virtually every day.

She was interviewed as she got off the Coral Gables trolley at a Publix supermarket near Ponce de León and Flagler Street.

“I come to the supermarket,” she said. “I take my granddaughter to school. Then I go home. The service is on time and the drivers are very polite. I have a car but I’d rather take the trolley because my granddaughter just loves it.”

Other riders simply like the fact that most trolley services are free.

“It gives people who don’t have fare for the bus a way to travel, because it’s free,” said Geney Perez."

Paducah, KY -- No car? No job. #publictransit inadequate

A need for reliable public transportation - WPSD Local 6: Your news, weather, and sports authority: "PADUCAH, Ky -
If you have an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. job and need a ride to work, you can't count on the Paducah Area Transit System's buses to get you there. They run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. That leaves people working the day shift looking for another ride.

More than 400 people step on Paducah city buses every day. Passengers can ride to appointments, doctor's offices, the mall and grocery stores, but if you have to clock in by 8 a.m., you won't be taking a Paducah city bus.

"It can be a stressful situation trying to get to a job interview and flag a bus down," said Adam Morton, who relies on area transit.

Morton is trying to get a job. He can't drive for medical reasons, so he stands on this curb and waits. 

"I stand here and have to wave to catch the driver's attention so that driver knows I'm here," Morton said.

Buses on four routes leave at the top of every hour weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult riders can hop on for $1, seniors and kids get a discount.

"It's great that we have it," Morton said.

However, he says it's not always reliable. There are no published timetables or bus stops for the city's five routes. Bus drivers pick up anyone who flags them down, and all buses park for one hour at noon, so every driver gets their meal break. That's not convenient when you're trying to get to work, or in Morton's case, land a job.

"I have actually experienced where they turn me down, because of what they don't consider a valid form of transportation," Morton said."

ARC poll finds transportation still Atlanta's top concern

Atlanta Business Chronicle: "In the third annual Metro Atlanta Speaks public opinion survey, 27 percent of respondents said transportation was the biggest problem facing the region, the second consecutive year transportation topped the list of concerns."

Graham, NC, resident lists benefits of #publictransit

Times-News: "Most of us could benefit from public transit if only we thought a little more like young professionals. How much money could you save each year by riding public transit and not owning a car or using it less? When public transit is utilized, we can be more productive working or communicating without the distraction of driving.
How can Graham benefit from public transit? Opening the opportunity for low cost transportation for all citizens of Graham in and about the city and the broader area, attracting young professionals and others to live here, attracting industry that requires public transit, to bring more retail and restaurant customers to Graham, greater opportunity for Graham residents to obtain education, more flexibility to commute to work and other opportunities. It’s time for change.
I know the value of public transportation. I depended upon Burlington public transit for transportation to work and school for education many years ago. Thank you Burlington for public transit then that was so beneficial to me and for opening to others now the same opportunities."

Miami creates mass transit trust fund

Miami Herald: "The Miami area remains among the most congested in the nation, and drivers fed up with stop-and-go commutes want solutions. On Thursday, Miami city leaders took a step toward addressing the problem."

Gas and Oil Party trolls confront the real threat - #publictransit

Soon they will be calling you a communist for advocating public transit, might as well join us and call for fare-free public transit. We let them frame the debate as if the car-culture is normal and equal and we have to come up with money for public transit. When will they be grilled on the externalities of auto sprawl -- all the costs of cars and sprawl that are not charged to those who profit from them.

Public transportation tops City Council election forum - Valdosta Daily Times: Local News: "VALDOSTA — Lowndes County Republican Party members grilled Valdosta City Council hopefuls about public transportation and how to pay for it Tuesday evening at Austin's Cattle Company."

Dominant #autosprawl culture hurting employers who need to fill jobs

News OK: "Transportation was a common challenge, and I don't believe for a second that has changed in a state and city that have for years given only token support to public transit. Oklahoma City is at least making the transition, starting in January with resumption of bus service after 9 p.m. for the first time since 1979. More than 4,200 people ride the evening routes each month, and reports filed by EMBARK show the numbers are continuing to climb."

In the US, opposition to #publictransit includes a lot of racism

richmondmagazine.com: "It is, on the whole, an invigorating experience to walk so closely in history’s shadow, but not always. I was stunned when I first learned city buses stop, for all intents and purposes, at the county lines. The person who told me this said the counties, particularly Chesterfield, which bought half of the Greater Richmond Transit Co. in the racial and political tumult of the 1970s, didn’t want buses (shudder) filled with people who clearly couldn’t afford to buy a car (otherwise, why ride the bus) coming and going in their jurisdictions. Who knows, the riders might bring crime with them or, even worse, they might stay. You need to understand, the Southerner said to this Westerner, race is the subtext here, and all this has roots in white flight and suburbanization and the uncoupling of a region."

More #climate alarms - flooding in S. Carolina. respond | ignore

Catastrophic Flooding Throughout South Carolina - ABC News: "South Carolina is enduring its worst rains "in 1,000 years," Gov. Nikki Haley said this afternoon, urging residents to stay off the roads as conditions were "changing by the minute," with roads flooding and rivers at their highest levels in decades."

$3 Million Dollar Facility to Expand Public Transportation in Harlingen, Texas

KFXV Fox 2 News: "This new facility will include a bus washer, meeting spaces, a full service maintenance area, storage area for up to ten buses, including five new larger vehicles.

“We have expanded about 300 percent since we began. We are giving the people what they are asking for, bigger buses and more flexibility in the routes.”"

Miami-Dade business leaders push for improvements in mass transit system

Miami Herald: "“There appears to be a broad consensus among the business community, the government and the general population that we are at a critical juncture and that making significant investments in our transit infrastructure now will benefit all sectors of this community in terms of the economy, the environment and our quality of life,” Bierman said."

Rural Floridians fight back against #autosprawl

http://saveorangecounty.org/

Albemarle County, Virginia needs buses to get people to work, reduce congestion

NBC29 WVIR: "“If you don't get folks to jobs, they're going to remain impoverished and if you don't give folks options besides single occupant vehicle driving, you're going to get nothing but increased congestion on local roads,” Patrick Galvin of City Council said."

It's Time For Improved Public Transportation In The Las Cruces Area And Beyond

Carpenter: KRWG: "It comes back to cost. Whining about "parents who don't care," is nonsense. We carp about people who "don't want to work," but do nothing to help them access work, job-training programs and language-learning centers. We wring our hands over children who join gangs, but refuse to hold out a hand to make sure youngsters can reach after-school recreational activities, league play, scouting programs, and wholesome weekend activities. Filling our local malls, parks, recreation centers, and theaters with kids on the weekends would benefit our local economy at the same time."

Poor workers can't afford cars, capitalists want them to walk to work

Federal legislation will put public transportation at risk | The Sun News: "This bill would shift the present $5 million budget to counties and private business or else the approximate 500,000 ridership in Georgetown and Horry counties would be walking or staying home, in many cases unable to reach their workplaces. Furthermore, this $5 million-plus budget barely keeps public transit running, with too few designated stops by buses which are past due for replacement."

4 benefits public transportation gives students

abcnews: "Getting to and from school can cause major headaches for families each year."

Decline in driving, increase in public transit in Arizona

svherald.com: "As personal vehicle travel has decreased, the number of trips and the number of miles traveled by public transportation has increased in Arizona. In the Phoenix metro area, the light rail is already experiencing ridership numbers that weren’t projected to be reached until the year 2020. The Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority has seen ridership grow from under 200,000 in 2001 to more than 1.8 million in 2013. And in Yuma, ridership on Yuma County Area Transit has doubled since 2005."

Arkansas share of young workers 7 percentage points below average

arkansasonline: "When we talk quality of life, we often talk about entertainment options and cultural amenities, but mass transit is an important component as well, especially, as we're learning, with those nearly 90 million millennials living in the U.S."

More roads "not the answer" in Miami-Dade

Miami Herald: "Moreover, several county commissioners who have influence over local transportation issues have said they want to see projects that benefit mass transit, not cars.

“More roads is not the answer to traffic congestion,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa during a recent meeting in which FDOT officials outlined a project for an overpass at the corner of Southwest Eighth Street and 87th Avenue.

The next meeting on transit solutions is scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the County Commission Chambers downtown."

In Tucson and beyond, public transportation needed, underfunded

/tucson.com: "The Federal Transit Administration estimates the cumulative national cost of fixing or replacing transit assets in disrepair or operating beyond their useful life at $87.7 billion."

Hernando commissioners raise gas tax to pay for public transit, roads improvements

Tampa Bay Times: "Effective Sept. 1, Hernando County motorists will pay an additional 3 cents per gallon in gas tax.

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The County Commission on Tuesday approved the increase to provide a dedicated source of funding for Hernando's fixed-route public transit system, THE Bus; upgrades to the bus service; ongoing road paving maintenance, and dollars for a few needed road improvement projects."

Ozark Regional Transit -- two days of free rides

KFSM 5NEWS: "Ozark Regional Transit raised awareness last week about public transportation by offering free fares on Thursday and Friday."

Dump the Pump Day promotes local public transportation

gainesvilletimes: "Public transportation, such as the Gainesville [Georgia] Connection bus system, is a critical part of the local economy, Moss said.

About 12,300 passengers are served each month by Gainesville Connection."

Thanks to #publictransit, #carfree living is possible in Norman, OK

Norman Transcript: Columns: "Students and businesses aren’t the only ones who benefit from transit. People looking to move to Norman to work or go to school are looking for housing and apartments in locations where they don’t need a car to get around. For many international students at OU, the bus system is vital."

Public Transport Survey Finds MARTA Safe, Reliable Alternative to Cars

MARTA: "Our findings reaffirmed that we should continue to make the case that public transit is a safe, reliable and convenient alternative to the automobile."

Wilson: Public transit is a priority for Apex seniors

News & Observer: "I would like to speak out for our less vocal seniors. These are the ones who would enjoy taking part in these activities but cannot due to transportation limitations. Either they no longer drive or have no private transportation."

Nature sends another message, will US get it?

Texas flooding: storms inundate roads and leave thousands without power | US news | The Guardian: "Vehicles left stranded on a flooded Interstate 45 in Houston, Texas. Major freeways in the area were impassable Tuesday morning. Photograph: Aaron M Sprecher/AFP/Getty Images"



'via Blog this'

Ride a bus for free May 22

Ride a bus for free May 22: "In recognition of Transit Week, National Public Works Week and National Transportation and Bike Month, the Lafayette Transit System will be hosting a "No Pay Bus Day" May 22."

Democracy in America, people consistently say they want #publictransit, but politicians don't listen

Houston Chronicle: "So says the Kinder Institute's recent Houston Area Survey, which found that 43 percent of those surveyed in Harris County said "making improvements in public transportation, such as trains, buses and light rail" is the best-long term solution to the city's congestion. Just 26 percent of survey respondents said the fix is "building bigger and better roads and highways.""

Miami and Miami Beach Both Consider Expanding Free Trolley Services

Miami New Times: "The Miami Beach Trolley debuted in February 2014 and was only meant as a temporary fix as Alton Road was under reconstruction. It runs a simple loop around Alton and West Avenue, but has proven popular and attracts about 1,000 riders a day. Its temporary permit is set to expire in June, but according to the Miami Herald, commissioners wants that extended by a month as they hammer out a permanent and expanded free service. "

South Texas, people want, need, more bus service

The Monitor : "An overwhelming majority of riders, or 74 percent said they were between the ages of 25 and 65. There were requests for expanded bus services in Alton, Palmview and Mission but also for a route between Hidalgo and downtown McAllen. A new route to connect Mercedes and Weslaco was also requested."

United Way decides that #publictransit donation will have greatest impact on community

The Times News: "“I think it is an unusual gift for us as well,” she said after the meeting. “But it’s something we look at as we move forward to see what has the greatest impact on the community.”

Burlington Mayor Ronnie Wall said the city was “obviously” excited and thanked the board for the donation.

“With my previous United Way experience as the president, there is a need in our community for public transportation,” he said."

#Publictransit advocate in Bowling Green has the right spirit

Q&A with Ken Merideth - Bowling Green Daily News: "My hope is that our future leaders at the national, state and local level continue to see public transit as a great investment helping to reduce the need for more and bigger roads, parking, storm water runoff, traffic congestion, air pollution and all the cost incurred with single occupancy vehicles. A survey of riders conducted in January showed that 53 percent of those responding use GO bg transit to get to and from employment. The option of public transit is something people in our community need to consider to help meet their families’ needs. "

Public Transportation Expansion Plans

wtok.com: "Plans are in the works to expand public transportation into more parts of East Mississippi. It was just last month when public transportation service was restored in Meridian. Organizers for that effort are calling the service in Meridian a 'stepping stone' for things to come. "

We know how fat you are by where you live in Atlanta

slate : "Consider Atlanta. The average working adult in Atlanta’s suburbs now drives 44 miles a day. (That’s 72 minutes a day behind the wheel, just getting to work and back.) Ninety-four percent of Atlantans commute by car. They spend more on gas than anyone else in the country. In a study of more than 8,000 households, investigators from the Georgia Institute of Technology led by Lawrence Frank discovered that people’s environments were shaping their travel behavior and their bodies. They could actually predict how fat people we are by where they lived in the city."

The alternative to the #trinitytollway is two words: public transportation.

Dallas Morning News: "Yes, expanding public transportation to make it really viable is expensive. But so is building freeways that are already overcrowded the day they are opened. With the coming population density, public transportation is inevitable. Why not spend the money once now, instead of twice —first for highways and eventually for public transportation?"

Miami #freetransit created economic boom. Should be expanded.

Miami Herald Miami Herald: "According to a recent study published by the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Miami’s downtown area has emerged as a “dynamic urban center … a destination to live, work and play.” Since 2000, downtown Miami’s population has increased more than 99 percent, from 40,466 to 80,750 residents. The Brickell area alone, which is served by six Metromover stations, recorded a 151 percent increase in population between 2000 and 2014. The number of households in greater downtown has more than doubled in the past decade."

Burlington, NC, woman has a job, but no way to get to it

The Times News: "“The many nonprofits that we serve daily and talk to on a regular basis are very excited about the possibility for public transportation and hope whatever has delayed that vote on the $5 and any other concerns can be rectified so people can get that public transportation that they need so desperately,” Norwick said.

A woman said Tuesday morning she had to get a ride to the Women’s Resource Center and wanted to find out whether transportation was available because she was employed but had no way to get to her job, Watson said."

‘Tourist trolley’ vs. public transit: Will locals actually use the new streetcar line?

The Lens: "I live just blocks from the Elysian Fields terminus, and I can see no benefits to public transportation in my area from this costly new infrastructure."

Houston continues to grow subsidized sprawl

Houston Chronicle: "The city suffers today from low-density suburban growth (or sprawl), which without serious public transport creates major dependence on the automobile. Consider that 2.1 million additional cars on our roads translates to an additional 17,640 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions every day.

The situation has risen in part by more than a century of developer-driven radial centric growth, and, as the capital of the oil industry, by a relentless dependency on the automobile."