We think ignoring transit also ignores the citizens who cannot otherwise reach work and ignores the businesses who rely on employees arriving by transit. In addition, nearly a third of Michigan residents do not drive. They're too young, too old, physically unable to drive, or cannot afford a car. Strengthening our communities, families, and the state's economy requires better transit funding. For those who do drive, well-funded public transit helps combat congestion on Michigan's highways.
Transit keeps everyone moving.
We recommend going beyond the Funding Study Committee's call by increasing and stabilizing transit funding this year. This includes eliminating the diversion of MTF dollars to other departments and sharing 1997's 4-cent gas tax increase with public transit. This is especially vital because Michigan's highway surface conditions actually degraded slightly from 1999 to 2000, despite the gas tax increase. Of course the coalition understands that transit funding is a partnership of state and local governments. That's why many of our members have worked so hard to establish local transit millages at home.