Comments on: Open Letter to Mayor Barrett Concerning Transit

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:53:05 +0000

I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, however with the rough economic times we are experiencing, I believe a large number of voters saw this as a way to reduce their property taxes and not to help transit.
I take the freeway bus to work and unfortunately since gas prices have come down, so has riders. I hate to say it, Milwaukeeans love their cars. Do not get me wrong, I would like to see transit improvements made to the area, however their better be a lot publicity on getting the public opinion on how best to use this 1/2 % sales tax on transit. If we do not get it right in the beginning, it will be impossible to find the funds to expand the system and then we will be left with a inefficient system, like our freeway system!

By: Jesse

Jesse — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:03:22 +0000

The main reason rail is an economic driver and buses are not, is that rail isn’t at the whim of yearly budgets. However, we’ve seen lately how the flexibility of a bus route is used to close routes because we need to save $12/year on our taxes. I’ll take the significant investment and permanence any day.

As for your ‘facts’, where are they?

By: RMW

RMW — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:24:09 +0000

RMW, you are 100% right, trains do limit where you can live by creating an inflexible system, they limit you in the same way that roads limit where you can live, and just like roads, they are a drain on the tax base. Let’s get rid of roads.

By: RMW

RMW — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:53:45 +0000

Sorry, but I must respectfully say you sheeple are goofy. Forming a Regional Transit Authority will improve the image of the region? Are you serious?! A RTA would ultimately take the voice away from the people, and put decisions solely into the grubby mits of representatives on the take. I say improve the existing bus system and routes which are flexible and can go to where the people live. An inflexible and cost-prohibitive anchor like rail determines where people should live. IOW, it takes away the freedom to live where you want.
Statstics show that forced train transit in places like Portland, Denver and San Diego does not translate into users. These heavily-subsidized systems are a drain on the tax base and actually stifle development. While it may look and seem cool to have a rail transit system, the facts do not justify it at all. As for yet ANOTHER tax for something that would benefit very, very few people? Absolutely Not!! Let the businesses that are pushing for this pay for it!

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:40:56 +0000

This is something the city and area desperately need!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:07:02 +0000

I also agree. Well though-out and written.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:47:57 +0000

Well said.

By: capper

capper — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:58:10 +0000

Here, here. Well done. I offer the same sentiments.