Below is a copy of my testimony (more or less) to the Transit &
Parking Commission regarding their latest bus service change
proposals. I say 'more or less' because I ad libbed here & there and
had to lop off significant chunks to stay within the time limits.
-Mike
*************************
Comment on Madison Metro Service Change Proposals 4/15/08
by Michael Barrett on behalf of Madison Area Bus Advocates
My #1 suggestion to Madison Metro: Build on what you've got. Don't
tear down one line to build another. You've already heard from other
testimony presented here tonight, the problems this causes. Bur
before I go into that, I'd like to point out some of the things I
like about this plan.
I'm glad to see that the number of hours of Metro's run time has been
expanded. This is long overdue. Have we stepped back from the
precipice? I hope so.
We are happy to see expanded bus service because we know that it is
good for reducing traffic congestion, CO2, and many other noxious
tailpipe emissions. An expanded Metro saves Madison families money,
and it makes Madison a more attractive place to live.
On another positive note, the return of the 10 is being hailed most
joyously on the isthmus. You will hear more on this from Laurie
Wermter.
Repairing the 6 is also to be commended. But it should be taken as a
lesson that such extremely tortuous routes really limits the
effectiveness and utility of a bus line for all users. We need to
begin thinking like a big city, with super-direct routes that don't
vary by schedule. Those windy routes are the sorts of lines you'd
find in small town systems. Surely this is something we've outgrown
by now.
In the same vein, kudos for keeping the 3 line on one street all the
time through the Atwood area. This also helps in predictability, thus
making the line more attractive for more riders. Besides, I always
found it bizarre that a main bus line would avoid a shopping and
entertainment district as significant as Schenk's Corners. Anyway,
this is an example of how transit and land use should work together!
The added hours and other improvements are great. But we are still
well below the hours of operation of 1998. This despite the fact that
Madison is the fastest growing city in the state. Meanwhile road
expansions have continued at a roaring pace, leaving many
neighborhoods adrift with inadequate bus service.
Furthermore, we as an organization want to emphasize that Madison
Metro needs to begin to think in terms of building on success rather
than jacking around one line to boost another. This happened when the
10 & 11 were axed. Now it seems to be happening the other way as the
#9, originally built from the remains of the 10 & 11, is now being
cannibalized for the 10 & 11. Folks, this just isn't right. Build!
Don't tear down!
Apparently other lines, especially in peripheral areas, are similarly
getting drawn down. We realize that ridership on some lines look
abysmal compared to central city lines. But, that is just the nature
of the beast when dealing with feeder-lines. And basically,
everything beyond the transfer points is a feeder line. If you look
at the history of railroading in this country, you'll find that the
big railroad companies basically amputated themselves to death. In
their attempts to save money, and boost profitability, they cut the
"unprofitable" lines. What they never figured out was that the
"unprofitable" lines fed the bottom line of their big, profitable
mainlines. Furthermore, the issue of low ridership in the 'burbs
(e.g., the 39 line) is exactly why we are pushing for smaller, more
fuel efficient buses for those low usage areas. More importantly, it
is also why we are pushing this commission to demand transit-oriented
development for all new developments. Because without TOD, transit
will fail. Colin Conn's explanation about dense development "filling
the buses in three stops" is a great example of how sound land use
supports transit.
Another issue: Garage-bound buses need to be utilized as
passenger-runs. This is a tremendous waste of resources to have a bus
leaving from the far side of town heading all the way in with no one
but the bus driver on them. It is especially wasteful when one
realizes that this is happening when a bus would be most needed: late
at night and during rush hour. When one is stuck on the far outskirts
of town at 11 at night, just getting to the bus barn or the square is
a major boost when trying to get closer to downtown or places
between. Just schedule these runs as truncated. You already do this
with, for example, the 15 as it heads out of the bus barn (the
mid-afternoon westbound run). Just do the same for those returning to
the bus barn.
Finally, as for the long term health of Madison Metro, it is
incumbent upon members of this commission to address their alders,
their county supervisors, their state legislators and their US
Representatives as to the dire straits their car-centric policies
have inflicted on our transit system. And yes, this includes the
Madison delegations. They have taken part-and even leadership
roles-in eviscerating bus funding. They need to be held responsible.
You, as leaders on this commission have a moral responsibility to
defend this service. You should publicize your contacts so that we
can see that our leadership here is performing its responsibility.
And it is incumbent upon members of this commission to research, in
depth, the issues that face transit. What makes it work, what
doesn't. If you haven't thoroughly read the APTA's website, and the
Victoria Transportation Policy Institute's website, I'd suggest that
borders on dereliction of duty. You need to do the research, provide
the leadership, and advocate for better bus service.
What we have here with these schedule changes is about as many small
steps forward as backwards. This is a (continuing) travesty when the
fastest growing city in the state has slashed some 25% of its transit
operations since '98. There needs to be a political climate starting
right here on this commission that makes only one thing politically
safe: A better bus system. A better bus system that scales with the
growth of the city.
The Madison Area Bus Advocates, as an organization will not be
satisfied until road and neighborhood expansions are conditioned upon
transit-oriented design and adequate funding for excellent bus
service.
[During Q & A after my testimony I added this (and I paraphrase here
because I was ad libbing):]
"I want to thank Tim Wong for his strong advocacy for the transit
system. I'd also like to express my extreme disappointment that he is
getting thrown off because of this advocacy. The members of this
commission should let the mayor know that it is wrong to dump such an
insightful advocate for a strong bus system."
[Believe it or not, there were head nods among all the commissioners
all around the table. But I doubt any of the rest of them have the
courage to speak up on behalf of a fellow commissioner....Saving that
political capital for someday.]
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