Improving Our Transit System
Dear Friends:
Earlier this year I unveiled my Comprehensive Transit Strategy for Milwaukee – a modern, intermodal transportation vision that moves our region's transit system forward by linking workers to jobs and connecting all parts of our City.
The plan is financed by $91.5 million in federal funds set aside more than 16 years ago to improve mass transit in Milwaukee. These dollars have gone unused for far too long. We cannot stand by and watch these critical funds go to another community while we continue to waste the opportunity to modernize and improve our ailing, outdated system.
Since I unveiled my plan, other proposals have been introduced. The County Executive has a plan that mirrors my Express Bus proposal, but ends there. In fact, his plan fails to utilize more than $30 million of the transportation money, essentially leaving it on the table and increasing the possibility these dollars could be spent in other cities.
The Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors also put forth a plan that is similar to my Express Bus plan, but uses the remaining funds for an unnecessary and redundant bus commuter station.
My Comprehensive Transit Strategy for Milwaukee is the only plan that fully utilizes these federal dollars and accomplishes the following goals:
--Modernize and strengthen the bus system
--Integrate a new intermodal transit station into the system
--Improve citywide accessibility
--Connect workers to jobs
--Introduce new technology in the form of a Downtown Circulator
--Utilize and link all transit modes
--Attract new riders
Most importantly, my plan does all this without further burdening the Milwaukee property taxpayer. Consider these key features of my Comprehensive Transit Strategy for Milwaukee:
A Central Hub
The Amtrak Station downtown is currently undergoing a $15 million renovation. My plan leverages this project to count as the local funding match by making this new Intermodal Station the epicenter of the entire transit system.
When completed this station, along with the existing O'Donnell Bus Terminal at the Lakefront downtown, will allow riders to transfer with ease to multiple transit options and access every part of the city. To invest any of the $91.5 million in yet another transit hub would be redundant and wasteful.
Heavy Rail
In 2006, a record setting 588,000 riders traveled between Milwaukee and Chicago on the Amtrak train. I want to incorporate this route into the new Intermodal Station Downtown, along with the proposed K-R-M commuter rail service linking Milwaukee to Racine, Kenosha and northern Illinois.
Express Buses – COMET
My plan was the first to introduce Bus Rapid Transit with the County of Milwaukee Express Transit (COMET). Augmenting and upgrading the current bus system, COMET will offer comfortable, competitive, high-quality rides utilizing state-of-the-art technology. COMET also links two highly critical job corridors, providing more employment options for the 23% of Milwaukeeans who do not have access to a car.
Downtown Circulator
Downtown is one of Milwaukee's fastest-growing neighborhoods. The bustling activity in the Central Business District, the large numbers of hotels, nightlife and shopping options, and the attractions and employment centers like the Midwest Airlines Center, Milwaukee Public Market, Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee Public Museum, Maier Festival Grounds, the Lakefront, Cathedral Square, Park East, and the Bradley Center make Milwaukee's Downtown a major destination point for residents, tourists and workers from across the region.
That is why my transit plan introduces the Downtown Circulator, a rail-based streetcar system that will vastly improve movement around all major employment centers and attractions Downtown, and further stimulate economic growth and investment.
Some critics argue the Downtown Circulator is a stand-alone system that serves only a few, but they couldn't be more wrong. The Downtown Circulator will be fully integrated with the entire transit system, so all Downtown attractions and jobs will be readily accessible to residents across the region. And the Circulator promises to spark tremendous additional economic growth.
Fiscally Responsible
By leveraging the Amtrak Station renovation as the local match and ensuring responsible budgeting, I am pleased to report that my plan improves local transit service for Milwaukee residents and visitors without increasing the burden on Milwaukee property tax payers.
Milwaukee demands a Comprehensive Transit Strategy that strengthens and modernizes our existing system, creates jobs, attracts new riders and provides seamless connectivity.
My plan is the only proposal that fully utilizes our federal transit dollars to accomplish each of these critical goals. I am proud to share with you this vision that moves Milwaukee forward, and I encourage you to contact me at mayor@milwaukee.gov with your thoughts on my plan – I welcome your opinion!
Sincerely,