[milwaukee-electric] Time for an RTA, advocates say. (Racine Journal-Times)

[LouRugani]

--- In Rails-of-Milwaukee at yahoogroups.com, "LouRugani" <x779 at ...> wrote:


RACINE - Bernie Hoff, 59, of Racine, said she and her family enjoyed the
comforts of commuter rail when they were living in a Chicago suburb 24
years ago before they moved to Racine.

"We saw commuter rail is such an asset to the area," said Hoff, who was
at a transit forum Wednesday night. "We can't understand why they don't
have it here."

More than 130 people attended the community forum "Tapping into Transit
as a Game-Changer" Wednesday night at the DeKoven Center, 600 21st St.
The forum, hosted by Racine Transit Task Force and Transit NOW,
highlighted the benefits of public transit and specifics of the
Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail project. The Task Force is a
group working to improve transit for Racine.

Different community leaders appealed on the behalf of the community,
businesses, labor unions and students for a public transit system.

Mayor John Dickert, one of the speakers, stressed the importance for
interconnectivity of commuter rail, high-speed rail and buses to work
together to move Racine forward. He addressed concerns about how much
the commuter rail project would cost and pointed out putting in another
lane in I-94 is costing $1 billion.

"We can keep putting lanes in I-94 or we can look at regional transit
that provides ease of movement for people and opportunities for
everyone," Dickert said, adding commuter rail would not only bring in
infrastructure but also take people off highways, reducing congestion.

Kerry Thomas, executive director of Transit NOW, said a public transit
system would link people with jobs, spur development and economic growth
and enhance quality of life. Transit NOW is a nonprofit organization
focusing on transportation related issues and impact in southeastern
Wisconsin.

She said the transit system linking Milwaukee and Racine to the
Kenosha-Chicago rail would create nearly 4,000 construction jobs for the
KRM commuter rail, support and create about 71,000 jobs near train
stations and ultimately provide access to one million jobs within a mile
of the corridor.

"It would link Racine to a marketplace of about two million people,"
Thomas said. "They would have access to Downtown Racine that they don't
have right now and it would generate a lot of tourism dollars."

Ken Yunker, executive director of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional
Planning Commission, estimated commuter rail would cut travel time from
Downtown Milwaukee to Downtown Kenosha by about half an hour or more, as
compared to riding a bus.

Advocates also talked about the additional cultural and entertainment
venues that would be available for Racine residents.

Hoff agreed. She said her family, before they moved, used to take the
train to the museums in downtown Chicago and would not worry about
traffic.

Her husband, Doug, said he liked the accessibility the public transit
system would provide.

"It would widen your horizons without feeling like having to move," he
said.

For those looking for jobs and the commuters, the train would be an easy
daily solution, though he added they would need to make sure there are
parking spots available around train stations.

The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority was formed during the last
budget session to oversee the KRM commuter rail project and manage its
operations and costs. In September Gov. Jim Doyle laid out a framework
for how to integrate buses and commuter rail. A comprehensive regional
transit bill is expected to be introduced in the Legislature soon.

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