Takeshita, Erik M wrote:
Having a shared vision to build Bus Rapid Transit on 35W is the result
of years of hard work building a broad coalition across party lines both
in the city and in the suburbs. It's a big step forward for the whole
region. But that's exactly why Minnesota shouldn't take a step backward
in the same week with a radical cut to transit funding and a fare
increase. We need to be providing more transportation choices, not
less. That means funding transit.
Absolutely. If anyone is going to one of the Met Council hearings
on the service cuts and fare hikes (I certainly am) it's important
to testify that the source of the funding problem is the legislature
and the governor. The Council doesn't have any control over how much
money it gets, but it certainly could be pushing harder (they do have
paid lobbyists, after all). But when we testify, let's make sure to
put the responsibilitty where it really is: at the Capitol. Our
leaders have chosen to let our public transportation system
deteriorate. There's no unseen force that compels them to do so.
Imagine being able to ride a bus from Lakeville to Downtown Minneapolis
at the peak of rush hour going 55 miles an hour all the way. Mayors,
Legislators, Council Members and business leaders all along the 35W
corridor agree that Bus Rapid Transit needs to be operating in 35W on
the day it re-opens. Today's agreement by Commissioner Molnau to
implement the Appeals Board recommendations is a significant step
towards that common vision.
Is it really? I seem to recall that municipal consent was
withheld because there are no plans to extend the busway (it's
not really BRT) into downtown. As far as I can tell, there
are still no such plans. We got a station at 46th street,
which is something, but I'm not sure this is the big win
it's being portrayed to be. Can anyone clarify?
David Greene
The Wedge
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