WISCONSIN TRANSIT RIDERS ALLIANCE
Fuller Platform (PDF file)
- Invest in a 21st Century transit system across Wisconsin:
- Enable the existence of Regional Transportation Authorities that allocate at least 50% of their funds to public transit in addition to reinstating historic levels of Operational funding (50%, 60% & 65% for Tier A, B & C systems respectively).
- Make both regular transit and non-emergency medical transport integral components of the state’s transportation fund allocated at least 30% of all appropriations.
- Authorize a capital program for transit that enables the fleet to be 100% electric or hybrid-electric by 2035.
- Reduce barriers to using transit in Wisconsin:
- Establish a state Commuter Choice Income Tax deduction for commuting to work by methods other than driving alone.
- Provide financial assistance to individuals or households with transit fares similar to federal assistance with food and housing or state assistance with heating.
- Conduct a Fare-Free Feasibility study.
- Fund students commuting to school.
- Make State Transportation Law More People/Transit-Friendly:
- Reinstate local control over the prohibition of guns on public buses.
- Assign city buses the right-of-way to re-enter traffic lane.
- Legislate safety limitations on how long a driver may continuously operate a bus similar to federal regulations regarding operating a truck or intercity coach.
- Ensure public facilities and services are accessible by public transportation:
- Make citizen access by public transportation a key feature in the location of State office buildings and polling places.
- Information on access by public transit should be a standard part of any announcement of a public meeting.
- Access to retail and public buildings by people with accessibility requirements should be the same for transit riders as for users of accessible parking permits. Pathways must have minimal slope and be as short and clear of detritus, ice and snow as possible.
- Conduct a feasibility study of a statewide WiscPass that would be good for any transit ride throughout Wisconsin.
- Make all buses, trams, vans, trains and shared-ride taxis ADA accessible; a separate but equal Paratransit system should be the last, not first, resort for providing inclusive transit service.
- Encourage bicycle accommodation integrated with mass transit in the form of better bike access to stations and to transit corridors, bike storage and parking at transit stations, bikes on buses and trains, and bike share programs.
- Have a statewide, comprehensive and coordinated approach to Mobility Management.
- Enhance Intercity Service:
- Support more Intercity Service.
- Help finance the establishment and maintenance of Intermodal Terminals in all major population centers.
- Coordinate travel by different modes, perhaps by having a Multimodal Coordinator in WisDOT who designs seamless transfer between intercity and local rail and bus.
Updated January 1, 2019