This week's report from the Public Policy Forum confirms what I and other Milwaukee County Board members have known for some time: route cutbacks and fare increases are causing major damage to mass transit in Milwaukee County.
I am glad that Public Policy Forum president Rob Henken is leading a team of professionals in providing detailed and thorough reports on issues of importance to the community, continuing the exemplary work he performed as research director for the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.
Preserving an extensive mass transit system is one of my top priorities as chairman of the board. Transit is not just a human services issue. It is also a main ingredient in building our economic infrastructure. Because of limited federal and state support for mass transit, I am going to arrange to meet with key members of the business community to assist the county in developing progressive ways to overcome these funding challenges.
There is no question that we must alter the path our transit system is on. Using property tax dollars to fund the local portion of mass transit funding is archaic. The time for change is now. All options are on the table as we consider ways to modernize transit funding and improve the service provided to people from all walks of life.
A resolution passed by the county board last year affirms Milwaukee County's top transit priority is identifying a non-property tax dedicated funding alternative for the ongoing operation of the existing rubber tire bus service.
A dedicated source of funding means reducing the burden on property taxpayers permanently. The stabilization of the mass transit system in Milwaukee County is dependent upon it being removed from the property tax.
The Milwaukee County Transit System provides an extensive route network that is easily accessible to nearly all county residents. It is imperative that we fulfill the needs of low-income and minority residents in our community. We must not leave the riders and employers who depend on this service behind.
Lee Holloway is chairman of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. To view the Milwaukee Public Policy Forum's new analysis, "Milwaukee County's Transit Crisis: How Did We Get Here And What Do We Do Now?" click here.
5 Comments
Mr. Holloway,
Here is a novel approach: How about the riders paying for the transit service. I mean a transit system fulled funded by the users of mass transit, not by taxpayer dollars. Maybe letting a private organization run the mass transit system would make it better.
There does not need to be a new funding source for mass transit. Increasing revenues from fares paid by riders to fully cover costs would be the best option.
That is a very good idea. According to the report, in 2006, we ran at $2.62 per passenger. Why don't we charge what it costs? We may want to get a little fancy and vary the rate by the distance a passenger is traveling but otherwise what is holding us back.
I don't know if you read the comments Lee, but I would like to understand why we don't charge the actual cost to ride? The alternative is to use a automobile. If the bus is not less expensive than an automobile, we're doing something wrong.
One other note, based on the report, the increased fairs, reduction of unused routes and delayed bus purchases "saved" the transit system from demise for the last 8 years. While they may not be ideal, whomever kept the system afloat for the last 8 years deserves thanks.
The county needs to start making its departments self-supporting. Look at the waste in the police department. They haven't turned a profit in years. And the fire department -- they're not paying their own way. How about those streets and highways? It's been decades and they're still not making money. See the flaw in expecting services to be self-supporting? Yes, you may be thinking, but fire and police are critical, important services. You're correct. But so is mass transit.
For those that don't like their tax dollars going to help fund transit, only a pittance -- 10% of available state transportation dollars in WI -- goes toward such funding. I'll gladly pay the full cost of a bus ride, if, in turn, you'll pay for the full cost to support your auto driving.
Lee,
A few things about mass transit.
1. As soon as someone can afford personal transit, they switch from mass transit to personal transit almost 100% of the time.
2. Improving the transit system for "all walks of life" is foolish. Many people will avoid mass transit to avoid the rich diversity of all walks of life. The non immunized ruebella contagious passengers are people to avoid in my book. Its hard to determine just who they are sometimes, so I avoid public transit, just like I try to avoid public toilets.
3. We could solve the transit crisis by allowing vans and taxis to pick up and drop off on regular routes. Entreprenuers would start their own transportation companies. We would have to fight the transit union and the taxi monopoly, both moneyed interests. I do not believe this option is on the table.
Another question: Milwaukee County Supervisors have a research director? Is this a taxpayer paid position? How much does it pay and what is the retirement program? Any openings for say "assistant research director"? Sounds like a sweet job to me.
As usual, when we hear "all options are on the table" from a political leader, it means all options to get more taxpayer money are on the table. The options of making further cuts or shutting down the whole system are probably the best options, but I do not think we will hear them discussed.
You rock, Lee. Keep on rockin' in the free world!
Thank you Mr. Holloway!
Mass transit has the following benefits which overwhelmingly silence criticism over funding.
1) Efficient Land Use: Transit Orient Development tends to cluster population and therefore provide MASSive savings in terms of service provision for sewer, water, police, fire, etc.
2) Economic Development: businesses seek places where talent clusters. Note the major economic engines and budding powerhouses of this country: New York, Boston, Atlanta, LA, Portland, Seattle, Denver, Twin Cities. If they do not already have major MASS transit options they are developing them currently. Businesses choose these locations, and new start ups emerge because of the added benefit of population density associated with transit development
3) SAFETY - the number one deterrent of crime is PEOPLE. Eyes on the street and active streets at all hours creates safer environments requiring less police protection and even greater cost savings. MASS transit forces people out of solitude and onto the streets going to and from stops, work and home. With additional people on the street, crime is less likely to occur. This is why NYC is the safest big city in the country because people are on the streets at all hours doing all things.
4) HEALTH Savings: if you are fat then please stop disagreeing with transit. Your are a WEIGHT to the health care system and therefore should be a fan of getting the exercise associated with walking to and from stops. MASS transit encourages people to get off their butts and onto their feet. Less fat, means less waste on health care.
Talk about SAVINGS. These are truly MASSive savings.
Andrew Steininger