[NFBMI-Talk] Fwd: MDOT needs input on their transit plan for the next five years Jason

Sat Aug 24 20:24:31 UTC 2024

This info is from Transportation Riders United and involves public comment
for the MDOT 5-year transit plan. I hope you will join me in writing
letters asking for more transit options across the state. MDOT money helps
both intercity buses and trains as well as local transit agencies.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Deb Freer <Deb at detroittransit.org>
Date: Sat, Aug 24, 2024 at 8:57 AM
Subject: MDOT needs input on their transit plan for the next five years
Jason
To: Jason Meddaugh <jj at bestmidi.com>

MDOT is currently taking public comment on their Five Year Program for
2025-2029. Unfortunately the MDOT plan for transit is simply to maintain a
system that is not meeting the transportation needs of nearly 50 percent of
Michiganders who cannot drive for one reason or another.

MDOT Five Year Plan-Transit Needs to Grow

*MDOT needs your input *Jason!  In the draft MDOT Five Year Transportation
Program 2025-29,
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/91420212/493805620/-1309203052?rev=e2c9ae0acc0b4f6099801b7b55005a78&hash=C2B717B26E90C9E463F70A95135FD8E9&nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAxNi8xLzEwNTc2OCIsDQogICJEaXN0cmlidXRpb25VbmlxdWVJZCI6ICJkZGY5OWU1Ni0xODYyLWVmMTEtOTkxYS02MDQ1YmRkYmZjNGIiLA0KICAiRW1haWxBZGRyZXNzIjogImpqQGJlc3RtaWRpLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=AhqgZZyP1gp3HPxDc8YHkg4z9NWA8cyaooR4xIuBp1Q=&emci=7800e11a-fc5f-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&emdi=ddf99e56-1862-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&ceid=15825202>
(pg. 24) the stated goal for public transit is to "preserve service levels
and continue providing service in all 83 counties."

This stated goal is in direct contradiction to numerous *reports that* *call
for increasing public transit options and the fact that about 50 percent of
Michiganders cannot drive for one reason or another:*

   1. The MI Healthy Climate Plan
   <https://click.everyaction.com/k/91420213/493805621/-779862817?rev=d13f4adc2b1d45909bd708cafccbfffa&nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAxNi8xLzEwNTc2OCIsDQogICJEaXN0cmlidXRpb25VbmlxdWVJZCI6ICJkZGY5OWU1Ni0xODYyLWVmMTEtOTkxYS02MDQ1YmRkYmZjNGIiLA0KICAiRW1haWxBZGRyZXNzIjogImpqQGJlc3RtaWRpLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=AhqgZZyP1gp3HPxDc8YHkg4z9NWA8cyaooR4xIuBp1Q=&emci=7800e11a-fc5f-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&emdi=ddf99e56-1862-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&ceid=15825202>
   (pg. 37) which calls for – "Increase access to clean transportation options
   – from public transit to electric vehicles – by 15 percent each year."
   2. The Growing Michigan Together report
   <https://click.everyaction.com/k/91420214/493805622/1524277346?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAxNi8xLzEwNTc2OCIsDQogICJEaXN0cmlidXRpb25VbmlxdWVJZCI6ICJkZGY5OWU1Ni0xODYyLWVmMTEtOTkxYS02MDQ1YmRkYmZjNGIiLA0KICAiRW1haWxBZGRyZXNzIjogImpqQGJlc3RtaWRpLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=AhqgZZyP1gp3HPxDc8YHkg4z9NWA8cyaooR4xIuBp1Q=&emci=7800e11a-fc5f-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&emdi=ddf99e56-1862-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&ceid=15825202>
   (pg. 20) tells us that "...Michigan has failed to build a robust transit
   system that connects Michiganders accessibly. Our public transit user rates
   are in the bottom half of growing peer states and below national rates, and
   according to Michigan’s ASCE (2023) report card, “*Reliability and
   availability of transit services in many areas is inadequate to meet demand
   or attract new riders.* "
   3. The Citizens Research Council of Michigan
   <https://click.everyaction.com/k/91420215/493805623/-1783557509?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAxNi8xLzEwNTc2OCIsDQogICJEaXN0cmlidXRpb25VbmlxdWVJZCI6ICJkZGY5OWU1Ni0xODYyLWVmMTEtOTkxYS02MDQ1YmRkYmZjNGIiLA0KICAiRW1haWxBZGRyZXNzIjogImpqQGJlc3RtaWRpLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=AhqgZZyP1gp3HPxDc8YHkg4z9NWA8cyaooR4xIuBp1Q=&emci=7800e11a-fc5f-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&emdi=ddf99e56-1862-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&ceid=15825202>
   states that "In general, if housing is not located near job centers,
   healthcare, or grocery stores, transportation costs will tend to be
   higher.  Transportation costs also depend
   <https://click.everyaction.com/k/91420216/493805624/481961167?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAxNi8xLzEwNTc2OCIsDQogICJEaXN0cmlidXRpb25VbmlxdWVJZCI6ICJkZGY5OWU1Ni0xODYyLWVmMTEtOTkxYS02MDQ1YmRkYmZjNGIiLA0KICAiRW1haWxBZGRyZXNzIjogImpqQGJlc3RtaWRpLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=AhqgZZyP1gp3HPxDc8YHkg4z9NWA8cyaooR4xIuBp1Q=&emci=7800e11a-fc5f-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&emdi=ddf99e56-1862-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&ceid=15825202>
   on neighborhood characteristics – taking up as much as *25 percent of a
   household’s income in car-dependent neighborhoods, compared to just nine
   percent for households in more walkable, transit-rich neighborhoods."*

Email MDOT. Tell them to expand transit!
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/91420224/493805625/445844406?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAxNi8xLzEwNTc2OCIsDQogICJEaXN0cmlidXRpb25VbmlxdWVJZCI6ICJkZGY5OWU1Ni0xODYyLWVmMTEtOTkxYS02MDQ1YmRkYmZjNGIiLA0KICAiRW1haWxBZGRyZXNzIjogImpqQGJlc3RtaWRpLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=AhqgZZyP1gp3HPxDc8YHkg4z9NWA8cyaooR4xIuBp1Q=&emci=7800e11a-fc5f-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&emdi=ddf99e56-1862-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&ceid=15825202>

*I urge you to email MDOT before the window of opportunity closes on
Tuesday, September 3rd (the day after Labor Day.)*  Your input is crucial
to letting MDOT know that public transit is important to you.

*Thank you* once again for taking the time to make your voice heard and
help in the fight for more and better public transit at all levels.

Sincere thanks,

Deb Freer, Assistant Director

Transportation Riders United

Transportation Riders United
P. O. Box 2668
Detroit, MI 48202
United States

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