Don't Cut the Bus! » Topekans in Support of Public Transit

Victory Meeting!

admin — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:00:27 +0000

Topekans in Support of Public Transit will meet next Wednesday, May 20th from 2:30 to 4:30 at 408 SW Jackson to celebrate last night’s victorious City Council vote and to plan the next steps in our campaign to create a public transit system that meets the needs of all Topekans.

Last night’s council vote to raise the mil levy cap for TMTA, expand the membership of the TMTA Board and give City Council members the authority to recommend appointments to the TMTA Board was a huge victory, but much more work lies ahead.

We will need to make sure that the City Council approves the necessary mil increase and that TMTA works to find other sources of funding needed to continue existing services through FY 2010. Beyond that we will need to explore other sources of ongoing funding for our transit system,make sure that TMTA seeks to access any and all viable funding opportunities and insure proper oversite of and community input into TMTA operations.

If advocates have consumers with an interest in this issue, please invite them to the meeting, which is open to all interested parties.

Those planning to attend should RSVP to Jeannine at 233.4572 or jeklund@tilrc.org.

For additional information contact Kevin at ksiek@tilrc.org or 233.4572.

Transit Issues

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:40:59 +0000

The TMTA Board of Directors decided to delay cuts to services until after Memorial Day. No doubt this decision results from the efforts of the community to either support the resolution put forth by “Topekans in Support of Public Transit,” or to write letters expressing opposition to the cuts, or through attending meetings to show concern for the issue.

This buys some time, but not a lot. It is hoped that the community will continue its efforts to inform City Council of the need to support public transit with a temporary millage increase until more permanent funding solutions can be found. If the deep cuts that are proposed (42% cuts in services) actually take place, public transit will no longer be a feasible option (it could take hours for a person to get from one destination to another) and most likely will not be able to recover from such cuts.

Thank you for your support thus far and please continue to encourage individuals and organizations to write letters to City Council or sponsor the resolution by contacting Kevin Siek at Topeka Independent Living Resource Center at 233-4572 or by emailing ksiek@tilrc.org.

Read the resolution here.

Contact your council members here.

Again, thanks for your support!