Another Mackinac Policy Conference has come and gone and, yes, public transit was again one of the items discussed. If you have followed these things for any length of time, you know that this is not the first time transit has been discussed…only to be forgotten once all of the policymakers came back to the real world. So, was this the same old refrain again, or is anything different this time? Time will tell for sure, but there are several differences this time.
The overall message hasn’t changed much – Southeast Michigan has a public transit system that is underfunded and disconnected and it needs to be better. The difference this year perhaps is that we can answer the question, “So, what and when are we going to stop talking about transit and do something about it!”
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has worked over the past 18 months, talking to countless people, conducting several studies to develop a four-county transit plan for Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties, and the City of Detroit. The proposed plan would significantly improve public transit in these four counties in Southeast Michigan. It is worthy of your review and comment.
Why? Well, there is a good chance that you will be asked to vote on a millage increase in November to actually build it! Assuming the RTA Board votes to put the question on the ballot, people in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties will be asked to vote on a 1.2 mill increase, with all the revenue going to make the transit plan a reality.
So, that’s what is different this year – instead of complaining about the state of public transit, we get the chance to actually do something about it! Is the plan perfect? No it isn’t – I will tell you that right now. Some will read it and say it is too expensive and too ambitious. Others will read it and say it doesn’t go far enough – where is the light rail, for example?
Some time ago, a number of us traveled to Cleveland to ride the Cleveland Bus Rapid Transit system. While there, the director of the Cleveland Transit Authority was asked how they had finally gotten over the hump and found a way to build their system. He had a simple answer to that question, “Don’t let perfect get in the way of good.” Cleveland had to overcome that mindset and so do we.
I hope you take the time to read the proposed plan. You can review a copy by going to the RTA website. You can participate in their poll to let them know how you feel about it. You can also attend one of the several public meetings they have scheduled all around the area to learn more about it, ask questions, and provide comments.
Finally, ask yourself if this plan improves the current state of public transit in our community – not does it fix everything, but does it make things better? You will have a chance in November to answer that question. Hopefully we can stop talking about the condition of public transit and for once start doing something about it!
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