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The Cold Cometh
MCTS Runs short on support
By Leslie Peckham
I thank the University for supplying me with a bus pass and the means to travel on the MCTS but in doing so, I’m often late and irritated when I get there
If you’ve caught any local news besides the election lately, you may have heard of the slew of violent attacks on buses lately. Just two weeks ago there were two attacks, including one brawl on the same day Milwaukee county sheriff, David Clark spoke out on these acts. I saw the video on the news, now it’s on the MPD’s YouTube page. Certain measures have been made to see to the protection of the drivers, including the implementation of Plexiglas shields to ensure safety ; however, this leaves much to be desired for the passengers. As for the shields according to Local 998 board member, Gregory Powell, some drivers are saying ‘no thanks.’
While the media is sensationalizing the violence that can happen on the bus, there are far more serious problems at stake. Not only has the MCTS (that’s Milwaukee County Transit System) depreciated in quality over the last ten years, but their funding has been cut again and again, making it one of the least reliable services in this city. 52 million people ride the bus each year, and with funding cuts and winter approaching, buses will be even more over crowded than usual. Safety issues are up, funding is down, and here comes the cold.
You can hear, and have probably participated in the grumblings at any bus stop. I’ve had many conversations about the tardiness and unreliability of the bus system with students and strangers alike. And it’s getting worse. As the winter approaches, for many of us the bus becomes the only option to travel, which means standing at the bus stop, freezing, for undetermined and often long periods of time. As if the winter wasn’t hard enough.
A long view looks no better. According to associate professor Joel Rast, director of Center for Economic Development, the projected numbers are much worse. If current budgetary trends for transit continue at least 101,000 jobs in locations formerly accessible by transit would be out of reach by 2010, less than two years away.
The MCTS is one of the only systems, compared to others in cities similar to Milwaukee that is still funded from property tax. This gives MCTS tax revenue of 5.6 percent, compared to other cities such as St. Louis and Seattle that implement a small regional sales tax and rake in revenue between 6.1 and 8.8 percent. This would be problematic for the area’s low income residents, however, Rast recommends a rebate program that low income families could file for and see the return of their sales taxes. In fact, this referendum is one that will show up on ballots Tuesday, pay attention.
As for the violence, many people have spoken out urging the media to stop making it seem worse than it is. Anita Gulotta-Connelly MCTS President and Managing Director, commended Journal Sentinel Columnist Jim Stingl for his opinions on this matter stating that,” in addition to the cameras, we have our own security team who ride the buses and respond to incidents. Each bus driver also has a direct radio connection to all emergency personnel, and we work closely with local law enforcement who also ride the buses.”
As for myself, my bus riding days are pretty much over. I thank the University for supplying me with a bus pass and the means to travel on the MCTS but in doing so, I’m often late and irritated when I get there. I’m not the only one with this mindset. I’ve heard many comments through the years lamenting on how long the wait is, how long it takes to get from one point to another, and so forth. Even when sidewalks are un-shoveled, at least you’re moving and generating heat. After surviving a job that had me on the bus at 5:45 in the morning, which directly corresponded to the beginning of my caffeine/nicotine habit, I’ve found that even in freezing temperatures I’d rather brave the walk than the wait.
> Comments
Joe Ford on Nov 07, 2008 at 09:25 AM:
Too bad I couldn't read your post because of the stupid ad covering half of it
Editor on Nov 08, 2008 at 03:43 PM:
If you’ve caught any local news besides the election lately, you may have heard of the slew of violent attacks on buses lately. Just two weeks ago there were two attacks, including one brawl on the same day Milwaukee county sheriff, David Clark spoke out on these acts. I saw the video on the news, now it’s on the MPD’s YouTube page. Certain measures have been made to see to the protection of the drivers, including the implementation of Plexiglas shields to ensure safety ; however, this leaves much to be desired for the passengers. As for the shields according to Local 998 board member, Gregory Powell, some drivers are saying ‘no thanks.’
While the media is sensationalizing the violence that can happen on the bus, there are far more serious problems at stake. Not only has the MCTS (that’s Milwaukee County Transit System) depreciated in quality over the last ten years, but their funding has been cut again and again, making it one of the least reliable services in this city. 52 million people ride the bus each year, and with funding cuts and winter approaching, buses will be even more over crowded than usual. Safety issues are up, funding is down, and here comes the cold.
You can hear, and have probably participated in the grumblings at any bus stop. I’ve had many conversations about the tardiness and unreliability of the bus system with students and strangers alike. And it’s getting worse. As the winter approaches, for many of us the bus becomes the only option to travel, which means standing at the bus stop, freezing, for undetermined and often long periods of time. As if the winter wasn’t hard enough.
A long view looks no better. According to associate professor Joel Rast, director of Center for Economic Development, the projected numbers are much worse. If current budgetary trends for transit continue at least 101,000 jobs in locations formerly accessible by transit would be out of reach by 2010, less than two years away.
The MCTS is one of the only systems, compared to others in cities similar to Milwaukee that is still funded from property tax. This gives MCTS tax revenue of 5.6 percent, compared to other cities such as St. Louis and Seattle that implement a small regional sales tax and rake in revenue between 6.1 and 8.8 percent. This would be problematic for the area’s low income residents, however, Rast recommends a rebate program that low income families could file for and see the return of their sales taxes. In fact, this referendum is one that will show up on ballots Tuesday, pay attention.
As for the violence, many people have spoken out urging the media to stop making it seem worse than it is. Anita Gulotta-Connelly MCTS President and Managing Director, commended Journal Sentinel Columnist Jim Stingl for his opinions on this matter stating that,” in addition to the cameras, we have our own security team who ride the buses and respond to incidents. Each bus driver also has a direct radio connection to all emergency personnel, and we work closely with local law enforcement who also ride the buses.”
As for myself, my bus riding days are pretty much over. I thank the University for supplying me with a bus pass and the means to travel on the MCTS but in doing so, I’m often late and irritated when I get there. I’m not the only one with this mindset.