It's the Eleventh Hour and Action on Regional Transit Authority is Needed Now

Jobs and economic development at serious risk, the window of opportunity is short.

The future of local and regional transit in SE Wisconsin hinge on providing adequate dedicated funding for buses and integrating local transit systems (buses) into a regional framework.

The Southeast Regional Transit Authority (SERTA) was created on June 29, 2009 in the state budget to manage and provide the local funding for Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Commuter Rail (KRM).

Crucial additions to SERTA are needed now to save bus systems and get people connected to jobs and opportunity.

• Adequate, stable, dedicated funding for bus systems in Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha, and other SE WI transit systems
• A regional framework (RTA) that encompasses bus systems and KRM Commuter Rail to create an integrated regional transit network

Local transit systems, KRM  Commuter Rail, jobs and economic growth in serious danger

• Without a dedicated funding source, existing transit systems will face major service reductions that will continue year after year, cutting people off from jobs and opportunity.
• Without adequate bus funding the KRM Commuter Rail project and other major initiatives will not pass federal muster and will be shelved, along with the new jobs and economic development that they would spur.

We face a pivotal time in the history of our region and our state.

While transit in Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha are quickly approaching a financial meltdown because of their antiquated funding structure, we have a unique opportunity to address these crucial issues and create a vibrant region-wide transit network of connectivity that is essential for job growth and to support a thriving globally competitive metro economy.

The solution is clear: RTA legislative action is needed, the time is short,

A truly Regional Transit Authority is needed now to provide the dedicated funding source and regional framework for buses that is needed to keep transit systems viable and keep people connected to jobs, grow new jobs, and spark economic growth.

Although RTA legislation that would give local communities the ability to vote and make decisions on transit enjoyed one of the broadest coalitions working to advance the bill, the Wisconsin State Legislature ended their 2009 legislative session on April 2010 without passing AB-282, the RTA bill. See more. Learn more about RTA legislative hearing. See reactions from leaders about the RTA loss.

See more about the Regional Transit and Jobs investment Act.

Here's what we would gain with a truly regional transit system:

• Save our bus systems and avoid severe cuts in transit service that will cut people off from jobs, hurting families and businesses alike. Transit cuts in the past 8 years have made 40,000 jobs inaccessible by transit. If a solution is not found, another 60,000 are expected to become inaccessible to transit users.
• GROW JOBS. Grow nearly 4000 jobs to build KRM. Support and assist in the creation of up to 71,000 jobs over 25 years, 17,500 would not be realized without KRM.
• Link people to over 1 million jobs in the corridor
• Build global economic competitiveness: A regional transit network is essential to attract business, economic development, and visitors.
• Improve property values and expand tax base to generate revenues that support communities and vital government services.
• Connect 3 of Wisconsin’s 5 largest cities and create physical bi-state linkages that will leverage our prime position in the valuable Milwaukee-Chicago economic corridor.
• Lower the cost of living. Transit is an affordable alternative to spikes in fuel prices. Access to good transit saves families 10-20% of household income.
  annually and keeps local dollars working in our communities instead of exporting it overseas for oil.
• Address our high unemployment and poverty. One third of the population of Milwaukee and other urban cities does not have access to a car. In may neighboorhoods the rate surpasses 50%. Without better access to jobs, which are increasing outside of the areas served by transit, families will remain in poverty. Unemployment and poverty costs ripple throughout neighborhoods, the region, and the state.
• Open up access to federal infrastructure funding programs that prioritize area with good regional coordination and funding.
• Build healthier and stronger communities with modern, clean, easy, affordable access to jobs, school, fun.

See more: Regional Transit Fact Sheet

See more: Regional Transit Economic Brief:  transit saves household income, reduces foreclosure risk, and improves job and business attraction

See more about KRM Commuter Rail

Background

Why is there a transit funding crisis? What is the impact?

Our antiquated funding structure cannot keep up with inflation and fails to provide adequate stable funding to operate the transit service that is so vital to families, businesses, and our economy. The result has been steady service cuts and fare increases over the past decade which have cut service to the bone and placed Milwaukee County Transit as one of the highest fares in the country. People have been cut off from job opportunities as over 40,000 jobs became inaccessible by transit in Milwaukee and Waukesha. In Milwaukee about 70,000 trips per day are taken for work purposes. Transit cuts will impact employers and workers alike and hurt our ability to be competitive in attracting jobs and businesses and economic growth.

Clearly we need to get smarter about how to invest in our transportation system. Metro Milwaukee in one of just a couple of peer metro areas where transit does not have a dedicated transit funding source. As costs to provide transit service rise—as with any business—local, state, and federal revenues have not kep up with inflation. The result is continual service cuts and fare increases that are dismanteling our transit system. Service cuts and fare increase cause ridership declines and further degrade the revenue base. This is the downward spiral that is our future if a change is not made. This couldn't come at a worse time. People need affordable options to get to work. Demand for transit is climbing across the country, and transit has become a top priority for businesses and investors looking to locate and expand.

Endorse Regional Transit Autorities and dedicated funding for transit.