Let’s Get the Buses Running Again
Dear Governor,
The bus strike has gone on too long and needs to be resolved. People, families, and businesses across the metro area are struggling to cope without bus service. Unfortunately, after Monday’s mediation session management and labor don’t appear to be any closer to an agreement. It is time for the legislature and the governor to get involved and find a solution because you ultimately control funding for Metro Transit.
The root cause of the strike is the Twin Cities’ chronically underfunded transit system. Our region invests only 65% per capita what other regions our size invest in their transit systems. And we are falling further behind as economic competitors like Denver, Kansas City, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Dallas/Fort Worth boost their investments in transit.
While state funding for most programs has been squeezed in recent years, road funding has steadily increased. Transit is a key component of a balanced, well-functioning transportation system – and it needs to receive adequate funding that at the very least keeps pace with other transportation funding.
I urge you to help get more options on the bargaining table and support the bipartisan “Get the Buses Running Again” bill, authored by Senator Scott Dibble and Representative Frank Hornstein. While this bill does not provide a permanent answer to the region’s transportation problems, it could help keep a vital part of the transportation system running again. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Your name and address here
