Support SB259 – Supporting Better Transit in Wisconsin

Testimony by WISPIRG's Bruce Speight in support of SB259, which would allow the Fox Valley to create a Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Municipal leaders across Wisconsin are eagerly seeking better transit in their communities for its economic development benefits, to appeal to a new generation that is less focused on driving, and to connect workers to jobs.  Efficient public transportation systems would make Wisconsin’s transportation future better for everyone by reducing traffic congestion and pollution and increasing our options for getting around.

Good morning Chairman Petrowski and members of the committee.  Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Bruce Speight and I’m the Director of WISPIRG, the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group. WISPIRG is a statewide, non-partisan public interest organization.  We represent members across Wisconsin. 

I am here today to support Senate Bill 259.  Municipal leaders across Wisconsin are eagerly seeking better transit in their communities for its economic development benefits, to appeal to a new generation that is less focused on driving, and to connect workers to jobs.  Efficient public transportation systems would make Wisconsin’s transportation future better for everyone by reducing traffic congestion and pollution and increasing our options for getting around.  Regional transit authorities (RTAs) are a proven strategy for funding and strengthening the ability of communities to meet their local transit needs. 

I want to share a few brief thoughts about our state’s changing transportation trends and the increasing demand for transportation options, like transit, especially among the Millennial generation.

The way we get around is changing, especially in urban areas like the Fox Valley.  Wisconsinites are driving less, and taking transit, biking and walking more. 

Here are a few factors that are driving this shift:
•    Owning and maintaining a car is an increasing economic burden for everyone, and the high cost of gas is an ever-present economic drain on our budgets.
•    Baby boomers, who grew up thinking of cars as a symbol of freedom and mobility, are moving out of the phase of their lives when they do the most commuting.
•    At the same time, the Millennial generation is entering the workforce, but they are far more likely to seek alternatives to driving than previous generations.

According to the National Household Travel Survey, from 2001 to 2009, the annual number of vehicle miles traveled by young people dropped by 23 percent.  During the same period of time, the number of passenger miles traveled by 16-34 year olds on public transit increased by 40 percent. 

Whether or not the Fox Valley becomes a hot spot, a magnet for talent, and has the kind of high-skilled workers that draw investment will depend a lot on whether the Fox Valley is seen by young college graduates as a place they would want to live. Whether or not the Fox Valley has a well-functioning transit system increasingly appears to be one of those litmus tests.  For example, an October 2013 National Association of Realtors survey found that a majority of younger people, which they defined as respondents under 50, say their state government should place a high priority on providing alternatives to driving. Among college-educated “young” folks, the majority is even larger.  Only half (51%) of those under 40 agreed with the statement, “For me, car is king. Nothing will replace my car as my main mode of transportation.”

Giving the Fox Valley the authority to form an RTA and have dedicated funding for transit will enable the community to respond to these changing trends, and at the same time, enable the community to attract and retain young talent and Millennials, who seek to live in communities that don’t require a car to get around.  Doing so will give the people of the Fox Valley the viable transit options that more and more people are using.

While Millennials aren’t the only ones who want more options – after all, Wisconsinites of all ages want more choices for getting to work, school, shopping and more, the infrastructure we build today will mainly be used and paid for by the Millennials, who are leading the trend away from driving. 

One way to respond to these changing trends in the Fox Valley is to allow for the creation of a regional transit authority (RTA) with the ability to levy dedicated funding for transit. 

Across Wisconsin, cities are looking for ways to support their residents’ desire to drive less.  SB259 is a solution that will enable Appleton to respond to this need. 

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

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