[milwaukee-electric] Streetcar crisis: (Correcting typos)

[LouRugani]

As reported, the City of Kenosha is discussing closing the popular
downtown streetcar line entirely during January, February and March,
2010.

This is a very bad idea for several reasons: 34% of all tourists use the line, and Kenosha derives $235 million a year from tourism. It serves HarborPark, Metra, the busy downtown area, and three very popular museums, one of which is a Smithsonian affiliate. 2009 will be another record year for streetcar ridership, which should top 65,000 despite a doubling of fares and the general economic situation.

Written comments are very acceptible, as are emailed comments:

Transportation Department
City of Kenosha
625 52nd Street
Kenosha WI 53140

Mr. Len Brandrup
Director of Transportation
tlenb at kenosha.org
(tlenbATkenosha.org)

Mayor Keith Bosman
ajeand at kenosha.org
(ajeandATkenosha.org)

This is only one city official's proposal.
Please attend the official public hearing on this proposal at 4 PM on
Friday, November 20th at the Kenosha Municipal Building, 625 52nd Street near the Metra Station, and again at the main Budget Hearings in early December at 7 PM in the same building.

It matters not if you're a local resident. In fact, the City Council is very impressed by non-residents' opinions.

Governments look for the low-hanging fruit first. So unless riders
scream, rant and rave, probably the big switch will be pulled.

Keep the streetcars running. Please pass this around to any appropriate rail groups you see fit. See you there, and thanks.

(Correcting typos.)