Dear Editor:
Milwaukee County Transit needs your support! There is transit legislation being proposed in the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate, and if this transit legislation is not supported, then Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) and its budget will continue to slowly deplete year after year. If the MCTS is depleted, it will not only affect a large part of southeastern Wisconsin’s population, it will have a significant impact on the black community in Milwaukee.
Currently 49 percent of the Milwaukee population that ride the bus are employed, and do not have cars as an alternative to get to work or other daily destinations, like church, doctor’s appointments or grocery shopping.
Further, our community, especially our youth, face challenges with having their driver’s license suspended or revoked. “Lack of a valid driver’s license is a significant barrier for many people – particularly low-income youth and people of color who are more easily caught in the cycle of serious legal, financial and social consequences,” stated by nonprofit organization, Justice 2000, when speaking of their program that helps people get their licenses reinstated.
It is important that our community know the potential risk of decreased county-wide access to transportation. “If MCTS has to make cuts, all services are on the table. This would include festival services to Wisconsin State Fair, Summerfest, Ethnic Festivals, Freeway Flyer service and potentially entire regular routes,” said MCTS. “If funding does not come through, we are looking at millions of dollars of cuts over the next year. After cutting service for the last eight years, there is no overlap in service anymore.” Unfortunately, without dedicated funding for transit, more transit services will be cut, fares will continue to increase, and 100,000 jobs will have become inaccessible by 2011.
This puts a strain on working parents, older adults, disabled members and others who depend on public transportation in Milwaukee County. A solid transit system is essential; it strengthens our economy, community and quality of life.
To learn more about the state transit legislation and SERTA, please visit http://www.sewisrta.org.
We urge you to call your state elected
officials today at 1-800-362-9472!
Sincerely, Informed Advocacy
