April Success Stories

Grand Traverse RICC

Grand Vision in Traverse City had a transportation workshop.

Midland RICC

The county is getting 14 new buses and will start providing bus service to the outskirts of the county on a limited basis.

March Success Stories

Success Stories

Shiawassee

The transit authority has been awarded a “New Freedom” grant for a mobility coordinator.

An accessible van has been purchased to operate when the public transit system in not in operation.

The Shiawassee RICC has been working with All Aboard Transportation 101. They have practiced recording their testimony to legislators

Wayne

Andre went to Texas and was able to ride the trolley car. It was accessible and had tie downs.

A voucher stakeholders meeting will be held March 17^th with public transit to explore sustainability of the voucher program.

Grand Traverse

The RICC will attend the “Master Plan” meeting on March 20, 2008 for their township.

Genesee

The Genesee RICC will be conducting sensitivity training for new public transit drivers at MTA.

Capitol Area

Laura will be trying out a new fixed route – the “Express Trolley” from East Lansing to downtown Lansing. This route has late night service.

Paul traveled to Washington DC and was able to use the subway system, but it was “nerve racking”. Getting in and out was troublesome as the doors automatically open and closes. Once someone had to pull Paul and his chair in as the doors were closing.

Muskegon

The public transit system is talking about raising fare-box rates not by cents but by dollars.

Get Active! Now

NEWS: Join Get Active!
and let legislators and others hear your voice!

"Get Active!" is an online tool that makes it easy to tell law and policy makers what you think about issues that are important to you, like transportation.

You can join at the following sites:
Get Active! Michigan (UCP site)
Get Active! (DN/Michigan and MDRC site)

Let's Get Moving Legislative Day Flyer

The flyer for the Let's Get Moving Legislative Day is now available. The link is:
http://transportationallies.googlepages.com/08LGM_transit_day_flyer.pdf

The action day is Tuesday, April 22 at the Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan.

Please contact Capitol Services, Inc. and let them know if you plan to attend. If you want
a box lunch, please respond by no later than April 15, 2008. They can be reached at 517-372-0860

Upcoming Transportation Advocacy Events

Information about several opportunities for transportation advocacy are posted on our website's "Events" page. The link is http://transportationallies.googlepages.com/Events.htm

April 7 Open Forum on Transportation, in Warren, MI.

April 7 Legislative Hearing on the Transit Violence Bill Package
at the MTA in Flint.
Call Vickie in Representative Gonzales office if you want to testify. 517 373 7515.

April 8, 9, and 10 Regional transit planning open houses
In Detroit, Oakland and Macomb Counties.

Wednesday, April 16, 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Public Transportation Information and Ideas Exchange Forum.
Portage City Hall

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Let's Get Moving Legislative Day
at the Capitol Building in Lansing.

If you have other advocacy events to post, sent the information to:
TransportationAllies@gmail.com

February Succcess Stories

Muskegon RICC is working on creating a regional public transit plan. It looks like a millage is likely.

Newaygo County has applied for a “New Freedom” grant to provide county wide transportation.

Baraga RICC: The local senior center has a van and has contacted the RICC and wants to work with the voucher program

Genesee: MTA drivers are now doing door-to-door service. Drivers will now have a personal care attendant to help consumers to and from the van.

Shiawassee RICC is developing an action plan to make affordable transportation available to everyone in county. And the transit authority has been awarded a “New Freedom” grant for a mobility coordinator.

Please send your transportation advocacy success stories to transportationallies@gmail.com.

Transit Assault Bills

The package of three bills in the State Legislature which would provide stiffer penalties for assaults that occur on public transit employees and property have been introduced. The bills cover attacks against public transit employers, passengers and public transit vehicles and property.

For more information go to www.MPTAonline.org