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On the Way
Volume 2, Issue 7

June 2008

High Gas Prices? There Are Alternatives!
You may have noticed the price of gas. You may also be one of the three quarters of all Americans who have or are about to change their driving habits. Great! But now what? You probably know what's available, but where do you start? Read more.

 

Help Transit for Livable Communities Win a $4,000 Voice Your Choice Grant from Patagonia
Transit for Livable Communities has been nominated, along with four other Twin Cities environmental groups, for a $4,000 grant from outdoor clothing chain Patagonia. The contest allows customers to direct the chain’s charitable giving, rather than having company insiders determine giving priorities. The money will go where the people want it to go. Help Transit for Livable Communities win the grant, just by visiting the store! Read more.


Snapshot Minneapolis: Bicycling and Walking 2007
Public investments, private investments, and local culture contribute to a remarkable snapshot of Minneapolis in 2007: one in every five trips is taken by foot, bicycle, bus, or train. Many say they would like to bicycle or walk more often but say they face barriers to these activities. The Bike Walk Twin Cties initiative has developed Snapshot Minneapolis, which provides an analysis of walking and bicycling in Minneapolis, along with a list of  places where Bike Walk Twin Cities could have the most impact.Read more.

Updates on Central Corridor Alignment, Southwest Line, and Funding
Our transit system is growing, and Transit for Livable Communities will keep you updated on all the new developments. For instance, the Central Corridor will run down a transit mall along Washington Avenue. The Southwest Line is moving forward with a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), which will allow residents to provide input on the line. Plus, new funding for transit projects goes into effect on July 1st! Learn more!

Proposed fare increase symptom of structural funding problem
Metro Transit has a $15 million shortfall in its budget for bus operations. Right now, the primary funding source for our bus system is the sales tax on cars. Since car sales are steeply declining, the funding available for buses is too. The Metropolitan Council, the agency that oversees Metro Transit, plans to hold hearings from July 7-15, 2008 to determine whether or not to raise transit fares by 25 cents in 2008. A second fare increase of up to 50 cents will be considered in 2009. Transit for Livable Communities is opposed to raising transit fares, especially since new service will not accompany the fare increases, and outlines numerous alternatives to raising bus fares...read more.

History of University Avenue
As the Central Corridor light rail line intermittently leaps and crawls forward into becoming a reality, it promises to change the face of University Avenue. Minnesota Public Radio explores how University has changed in the past and how it may change in the future. View MPR's interactive history of University Avenue here.

 

A Well-Illustrated Point on Gas Prices
The recent drastic increase in gas prices has prompted many responses from many sources. One of the favorites of the Transit for Livable Communities staff is an editorial cartoon from the South Carolina newspaper The State. Check it out.

 


Events
Public Hearings to Consider Adjustments to Regional Transit Fares. The Metropolitan Council is holding a series of public hearings on a proposal to increase transit fares. The Public Comment Period goes from May 14 to July 25, 2008. If you have a comment and cannot make it to a public hearing, you can contact the Regional Data Center at 390 N. Robert St, Saint Paul, MN 55101 or email data.center@metrocouncil.org or call the Comment Line at 651-602-1500.

There are several dates and locations:

July 7: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Northtown Mall, Community Room
398 Northtown Drive, Blaine
Routes 10, 25, 805, 824, 831, 852, 854, 860

July 8: 5:30-6:30pm
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Main Street, Hopkins
Served by Routes 12, 612

July 9: Noon-1:00pm
Minneapolis City Hall, Room 333
350 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis
Served by Routes 3, 5, 7, 9, 14, 16, 19, 22, 24, 50, 55, 94

July 9: 5:30-6:30pm
Burnsville City Hall -- Chambers
100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville
Served by routes 426 Shuttle, 465

July 10: 6:30-8:30pm
Maplewood Community Center
2100 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood
Served by Routes 64, 80

July 14: 5:30-6:30pm
Eden Prairie City Hall, Heritage Room
8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie

July 15: Noon-1:00pm
Metropolitan Council -- Chambers
390 Robert Street North, downtown Saint Paul
Served by Routes 16, 21, 50, 53, 54, 61, 63, 64, 65, 68, 70, 74, 94

July 15: 5:30
Seward Square Apartments - Meeting Room
2121 South 9th Street, Minneapolis

For more cool events, check out Transit for Livable Communities' calendar.

The Details
picIf you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, please contact Katie Eukel at 651-767-0298 x115 or KatieE@tlcminnesota.org. Also, if you have questions, comments, or story ideas, please let Katie know.