i notice it didn't say what the fare is... so i guess making the riders pay enough to keep the buses running is out of the question...
Posted on 09/29/2011 4:17:19 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Sometimes, it's hard to figure out what group of people is the most discriminated against in society.
For my money, it's the bus riders.
In Milwaukee and its surrounding area, the people who depend on buses never seem to get much respect.
The threat of drastic budget cuts to the Milwaukee County Transit System prompted County Executive Chris Abele to propose using federal funds to keep from cutting some major bus routes that would have meant hardship for thousands of Milwaukee residents without cars.
Abele was responding to a recent study that found proposed transit cuts would have placed 13,553 jobs out of reach by eliminating popular bus lines out to the suburbs. The transit system proposed the cuts, citing the loss of state funding under Gov. Scott Walker's austere budget that trickled down to the county level.
Transit officials had recommended eliminating six Freeway Flyer routes, Route 68 (Port Washington Road) and five school routes, including other bus services to Summerfest and Milwaukee Brewers' games.
Abele's proposal will save those routes while raising the fare on a van service for disabled and elderly riders by $1.25.
Clearly, the county executive responded to criticisms of the proposed cuts and a recent study that pointed out how many jobs would be rendered inaccessible to people without cars.
During a time when every other word out of a politician's mouth seems to be about jobs, some tend to forget about all those folks who can't get to work without some help.
Cutting bus services during a time when so many are looking for jobs seems counterproductive to promoting economic recovery. Luckily, Abele understands that.
"The whole point of public transit is accessible transit," he said, while announcing his budget proposal to save the bus lines.
According to Joel Rast, director of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Center for Center for Economic Development, cutting bus service would have hurt certain groups, particularly African-Americans.
"Given Milwaukee's already high poverty and jobless rates, especially for African-Americans, this scenario is particularly troublesome," said Rast.
Transportation issues often become contentious for politicians who debate the cost and effectiveness of various initiatives during a budget crisis. People without cars find themselves pawns in a game between legislators over everything from bus routes to rail lines to trolley cars in downtown Milwaukee.
For the people without cars, it's all just more noise coming from people who don't have to worry about buying bus passes or waiting at a bus stop during the coldest winter days.
I always find it an eye-opener whenever my car is in the shop and I have to use public transportation. It's always way too slow and inconvenient, and it's almost impossible to keep on my regular schedule. During those times, I recognize my privileged status as a car owner and realize I never spend much time thinking about all the people who aren't.
That's why those without cars need strong advocates whenever important decisions about public transportation policy are made.
If things get too drastic, we might even need another civil rights movement for bus riders everywhere.
Seeing how riding a bus played such a big part in the first one, it would be fitting.
You idiot voters in Milwaukee are directing all the money to your stupid TROLLEY system. Write about THAT, Eugene. Yeesh!
i notice it didn't say what the fare is... so i guess making the riders pay enough to keep the buses running is out of the question...
>>During those times, I recognize my privileged status as a car owner and realize I never spend much time thinking about all the people who aren’t.
He should volunteer to give bus riders a ride in his privilege-mobile.
“He should volunteer to give bus riders a ride in his privilege-mobile.”
LOL! My first thought, too! “Hey, Eugene! Fill your luxury cruiser with bros going the same direction YOU are in the AM.”
*SMIRK*
You live closer to Eugene than I do. I escaped Milwaukee County in 1970.
What say you?
The trolly system mentioned above WILL NOT GO to the AA part of town, but it will pretty much eliminate all the parking spaces available along its route. By bankrupting the city, raising bus fares, and eliminating parking, this Democrat boondoggle shows the depths to which Democrats will stoop to keep the black man down. SEE: http://maciverinstitute.com/2011/07/you-would-pay-for-milwaukees-expensive-trolley-folly/
The only traditional mall that survived in our area was the one located in a suburb that refused to participate in the metro wide bus system. One by one, the other malls became the hang out for thugs that stole from the stores and robbed the patrons until the people that spent money were too afraid to go there anymore.
I never had the privilege of living in MC. LOL. I’m in Ozaaukee Co. And I stopped reading anything Eugene had to say about 20 years ago! I seldom penetrate MC south of Brown Deer Rd.
Thanks for linking the McIver Institute article. Good reading.
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