MTRU Urges County Exec Candidates to Get Real About Transit

Tuesday, 18 March 2008                                                     For immediate release

Contact: Samuel Jensen (414) 405 6753

or Matt Nelson (414) 273 9777

www.transitridersunion.org

Candidates lack transit vision

The Milwaukee Transit Riders Union on Tuesday urged both candidates for Milwaukee County executive to get serious about public transit. “Both County Executive Scott Walker and his challenger, State Senator Lena Taylor, lack realistic plans for dealing with Milwaukee County’s transit issues,” said Samuel Jensen, organizer with the Transit Riders Union. “Both candidates have spoken of the funding issues surrounding bus service in Milwaukee County, but neither candidate has put forth a realistic plan to solve them.”

During his first two terms Walker has repeatedly cut bus service and raised fares.

“Scott Walker’s inability to come to an agreement with other regional leaders on funding sources for the KRM Commuter Rail connection to Chicago and the Milwaukee Connector has left both projects stalled by the side of the road, with over $91 million in federal dollars soon to be lost to other cities,” Jensen said. “His only proposal for solving MCTS’s funding crisis involves increased state funds, an unrealistic proposition in a time of large state budget shortfalls.

“While his opponent, Senator Taylor, has repeatedly stated the importance of public transit in our county, she has yet to come forth with any proposals of her own on how to solve the current funding crisis. She has also not come forth with any proposal to get the KRM and Milwaukee Connector projects back on track,” added Jensen.

The Milwaukee Transit Riders Union urges both candidates to come up with detailed, realistic proposals for dealing with the serious issues surrounding public transit in our community before it’s too late.

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For more information, contact Samuel Jensen (414) 405 6753 or Matt Nelson (414) 273 9777.

www.transitridersunion.org