Emmet County, Michigan -- people willing to pay more tax for more #publictransit, even if only others will use it

Petoskey News-Review: Opinion: "It is heartening to observe during this holiday season that there are many people in our community who really seem to care about the needs of others. A new opinion survey of public attitudes in Emmet County indicates strong support for a public transportation system among people who are not likely to use it themselves.
The survey asked this question: “Do you believe that the issue of funding an expanded public transportation system in Emmet County should be put to a vote of the public?”
Of those expressing an opinion, 78 percent responded either “definitely yes” or “probably yes.” Two-thirds of those with an opinion said they would be willing to see their property taxes go up by a small amount to fund the system, suggesting they would vote yes if given the chance."

World offers Detroit examples of good urban transit

freep.com : "“You could go from one end of the Ruhr to the other on public transport. You’re moving through different communities but you wouldn’t know it. And if you get off the train, it doesn’t matter, you can just get on another.”

Nor were bicycle and walking paths neglected.

“Everywhere you went the first thing you saw was a big map beside the bus station or the train station, where the pathways was as highly noticeable on the map as the roads, as clear, so you could work out how to walk everywhere you went. We could walk literally everywhere,” he said.

In Melbourne, he found much the same, including a downtown tram network that was free to ride. Like the systems in Germany, it provided a reliable, safe and inexpensive alternative to the automobile."

Voters in Kalamazoo, Saginaw back public transit taxes

seattlepi.com: "KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — Voters in Kalamazoo and Saginaw backed taxes for public transportation.

The Kalamazoo Gazette reports voters in communities served by Kalamazoo Metro Transit approved a tax Tuesday allowing more frequent runs and late-night service on some routes, plus expanded service from six days a week to seven. Unofficial results say the margin was almost 2-to-1.

The Saginaw News reports voters renewed a millage that helped support Saginaw's public transportation for the past 20 years. According to unofficial results, more than 75 percent backed the Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services tax."

Public transit advocates share ideas in Grand Rapids

MLive.com: "• Heartwell on the role of public transit: "Transit is about connecting people to jobs. A city lives or dies based on its ability to get people to work."

• Varga on holistic, multi-modal transportation planning: "The city and the society that only picks the car is going to choke to death."

• Heartwell on the city parking system's evolution to Mobile GR: "I have the authority to appoint people to the city's Parking Commission. So who did I put on the Parking Commission? This guy (pointing to Varga) and three other transit-oriented (people). We use those appointments to help break down some of those barriers."

• Heartwell on government's role in fostering public transit: "Risk taking must distinguish our work. What was preposterous last week could be the norm next week."

• Heartwell on obesity in Michigan: "We could all stand to pedal or walk to work, or even just walk to the bus stop.""

#freetransit employee pass a big hit in Ann Arbor

MLive.com: "In all, go!pass ridership totaled 678,103 during the last season, which ended in October.

That's up 7 percent from the year before, and up 30 percent from four years earlier, suggesting go!passes are becoming increasingly popular."

So who would benefit from a public transportation system? I would say everyone.

theoaklandpress : "So who would benefit from a public transportation system? I would say everyone. At minimum, people commuting to jobs from their home to another community, people who do not have the means to own and maintain a car, people wanting to ride the Trailways can hop on to the bus without driving their cars to the Trailways, catching a flight at Metro Detroit airport while going on a business trip or vacation or going to an Amtrak station without worrying about parking or trying to get a ride, and going to downtown Detroit to enjoy a game or a show or spend time at the DIA or DSO without worrying about parking, and connecting people to jobs in different communities thus addressing the shortage of work force.

It would ease the traffic on our clogged up highways and make commute much more relaxing. It would give the option in bad weather or traffic times. Whether it is getting to a job or enjoying a day out with family, the opportunities and benefits are limitless. The whole public transportation system creates many permanent jobs.

We need a regional public transportation plan and every community should be integrated, thus contributing to economic growth of the region. It creates and provides opportunities for many. With changing demographics the millennials and the future generations are living in places where they can walk, bike or take a bus to work and be in places where they can go easily without the need to drive a car. We need to develop a long range plan that visions out the development of an integrated public transportation system that connects people and communities and start investing in it."

56-Year-Old Man Who Walks 21 Miles To And From Work

MadameNoire: "Meet James Robertson, 56, who walks 21 miles every day, five days a week, to and from Schain Mold & Engineering where he works. Robertson, who shared his story with Reporter Bill Laitner in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press has now pushed citizens around the United States to pay it forward and raise money for him to purchase a car, pay its insurance and provide professional financial management."

Berrien Co. looking into countywide public transportation

wndu : "Berrien County, Mich.-- Berrien County is considering the idea of countywide public transportation."

Michigan losing the war to attract talent

MLive.com: "Braun’s comments reflect the antique thinking and lack of vision that explain why other states are eating Michigan’s lunch when it comes to attracting young innovators and entrepreneurs. Two thirds of young workers put good transit in their top three criteria when choosing where to live. To reverse the brain drain, we need 21st-century transportation.

...People in places with good transit support it because they see how their investment builds economic strength and a desirable quality of life for everyone, not just transit riders.

Every dollar invested in public transportation generates $4 in economic returns, according to the American Public Transportation Association. Michigan’s return on investment will only increase as the quality and convenience of our transit options expands."