Public Hearing Regarding Bus Routes
Submitted by admin on Wed, 03/26/2008 - 18:38.
04/15/2008 - 18:00
Location:
Room GR-27 of the City County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
A public hearing will be held by the City of Madison Transit and Parking Commission in Room GR-27 of the City County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., on Tuesday, April 15 at 6:00 PM to address service change proposals.
Interested persons are encouraged to attend the public hearing to give feedback on proposals that focus on improving on-time performance and capacity of service that have declined because of recent service reductions.
A comprehensive approach is being proposed that will involve route realignments in peripheral and core areas and the addition of new services.
Complete background information including: a general description and justification of proposed service changes; a description of the perceived benefits and reductions of the proposal; draft maps and schedules; and paratransit service impacts is now available by clicking on the "Public Hearing Information" link below.
A hard copy of this notice will be available soon on all buses. Hard copy packets of this information will be available soon at Madison libraries. To request a packet by mail, contact the Metro customer service center at (608) 266-4466, TTY/Textnet: (866) 704-2316, or mymetrobus [at] cityofmadison [dot] com. See the full notice for more details.
Re: Public Hearing Regarding Bus Routes
I strongly encourage you to attend this hearing to support additional routes for non-students in both your neighborhood and Grandview. While most of us have established our commuter habits already, busses are a great option for the day the car is down or if you want to reduce the fuel bill portion of your household budget.
Lauren Cnare
Alder, District 3
district3 [at] cityofmadison [dot] com
Re: Public Hearing Regarding Bus Routes
I attended the beginning portion (recap of changes) in the public hearing last night. Route 14 was mentioned -- this is the one that will effect our neighborhood. This route change is what is proposed and a final recommendation will happen in May. The changes would go into effect in August of this year. The route map PDF is available on the Metro Transit website.
I was able to ask the question of the route going down Summertown and turning left onto Reston Heights -- they are reviewing this again and don't feel that route will remain (good news for those on Reston Heights). The current route for school pick-up goes down Milwaukee to Wyalusing.
The public hearing was extremely well attended in a room not suited for a public hearing of this size. Many of the folks presenting were "hot" on the changes proposed for the northside. I did not stick around for this portion. I've asked Chuck Kamp, staff member, to let me know if there were any comments about Route 14's proposed changes sine I was unable to stay. Will let you know if he replies back that there were.
The commission announced they will take their plans back to the drawing board, review feedback and look at other proposals. On May 15th the transit and parking commission will make recommendations for changes to Metro Services.
The good news is there is a surplus of $$ from 2007. I guess for now we wait and see until May and then go from there.
Re: Public Hearing Regarding Bus Routes
Hi, all - I came for the public hearing at 6 pm and stayed to the end, or at least the last speaker, at 10:15 pm, and supported the plan for Route 14, noting that I've heard from many residents who have chosen to live in the neighborhood because of the design that somewhat mimics traditional neighborhoods that have access to transit. We expect a little service. This is also a crucial time to establish the habit of using mass transit for ourselves and children.
Thanks to Ann for attending; she and I were indeed the only ones. Everyone else was extremely unhappy, I think our support for the change was refreshing and we got noticed. The room was indeed miserable - people using wheelchairs and canes or with assistive dogs had to navigate cords, cameras, brief cases, people sitting on the floor and a big center table with a room temp of about 80 degrees!
But, the good news is that people care about this service and are willing to devote hours of their personal time to it.
Lauren Dist. 3 Alder
Re: Public Hearing Regarding Bus Routes
I am confused Lauren. Will we have a Bus route that comes through the neighborhood or was it only about the busses that pick up the middle school and high school students?
Re: Public Hearing Regarding Bus Routes
This is a proposed NEW service. Three times for the morning commute and three times for the evening return. It is expected to be all settled May 13. Keep your fingers crossed.
Re: Public Hearing Regarding Bus Routes
Ann is correct. This is adult service, although anyone can ride the high school and middle school buses. (As the parent of a soon to be middle schooler, I don't recommend it!) If you want this commuter service, which is still quite focused and limited, please e-mail the Metro manager, Chuck Kamp at ckamp [at] cityofmadison [dot] com to let him know that this is important. While no one protested it at the hearing, there were only a few supporters, too, and I don't want to see it pulled out to plug another hole under the rationale that no no one wanted it anyway. Although sometimes it seems that public discussion is focused on the NO, it's as important to hear the YES.
McClellan Park NA, the neighborhood on the west side of Sprecher, has sent a letter of support. There is one resident/board member who does not support this at all on the basis of cost and will press the point. Obviously, we disagree. Sprecher NA should also send the letter to Mr. Kamp, via e-mail is fine, and request that it be copied to all the commission members.
Lauren
District 3 Alder
226-0987
5/9 update Regarding Bus Route 14
Well, I've just been in communication with the Metro Transit Schedule Planner, Colin Conn and the news is not good for our neighborhood. Due to the increased cost of diesel fuel, they are not able to add additional routes for 2008. It's a done deal on their part. No funding, no route. I specifically asked if the decision was based solely on funding or was there not enough interest to justify?
Here is his reply: "There has been sporadic interest in your neighborhood over the last couple of years; and now the area has been developed to the point where it behooved me to figure out route and schedule possibilities to stay ahead of the curve. Installing service was (budget wise) a clear possibility while I was in the early planning stages, and so the process moved forward. Unfortunately, the recent doubling of diesel fuel costs has nixed any idea of service expansion east of the interstate or on the far west side for that matter--where, I should point out, there has actually been a greater level of interest expressed in recent years.
I've copied your e-mails and my responses to the Metro Planning and Scheduling Manager, Sharon Persich, and would ask that if you have further concerns or comments that you communicate with her."
Sharon's email: SPersich [at] cityofmadison [dot] com
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