In July, Governor Evers announced the $75 million Multimodal Local Supplement (MLS) Grant Program to help support “shovel-ready” transportation projects in the state. The program received 1,596 applications, eleven of which were projects related to public transportation. We encouraged members of the community to sign a petition urging Governor Evers, WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson and the grant selection committees to fund all eleven transit projects, which total $24.9 million. 320 community members signed the petition and 74 left additional personal comments.
The Multimodal Local Supplement Grant program was created to address critical transportation needs in cities, counties and tribal governments across the state. The program will provide 90 percent of funding for the chosen projects, with local governments responsible for providing the remaining 10 percent. During January and February of this year, three WisDOT selection committees of community stakeholders met to review applications and choose recipients to recommend for MLS funding, which are slated to be announced by the end of this month. Among the criteria for evaluating the grant applications are: community importance, safety, accessibility, connectivity, and economic impact. Funding all of the proposed public transportation projects would amount to only a third of the $75 million grant budget, and would send the message to local governments across the state that transit is a WisDOT priority.
The state has defunded transportation projects for years, and this grant program presents a great opportunity to invest in public transit projects that benefit public health and safety, access to opportunities for those who cannot drive or cannot afford a car, and the climate by decreasing carbon emissions. The climate crisis poses an immediate threat, and will disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Investment in public transportation is an effective way to tackle this environmental justice issue, since public transportation is both more fuel-efficient and more accessible than car travel.
A number of those that submitted comments emphasized their own reliance on transit and the necessity of public transportation in connecting people to amenities and opportunities while advancing environmental goals.
“I am disabled & very low-income. I can't afford taxis for grocery shopping, medical appointments, etc. Public transportation is what allows me to get places I need to go & keeps me from being isolated.” - Catherine, Madison
“Public transit is vital for those who lack automobiles. It enables them to work, get to appointments and enjoy a social life. It is also part of decreasing emissions.”- Jackie, Green Bay
“Public transit needs to be a priority for low income people and for businesses who need workers. Transportation is currently a barrier for both. Affordable housing is not near the jobs. Many cannot afford cars.”- Deb, Oshkosh
“Wisconsin needs more and better mass transit. One very effective way to reduce fossil fuel use is to get people out of individual vehicles and onto mass transit.” -Charles, Green Bay
Many of Wisconsin’s towns and cities have insufficient, unsafe or unreliable public transportation systems that leave communities reliant on cars for getting around. Investment in transit through the MLS grant could improve local transportation and improve the connectivity of the state, which would improve the economy and quality of life for many Wisconsin residents. Our letter to Governor Evers emphasizes the economic importance of investing in public transportation to break cycles of poverty and improve access to employment. Commenters noted that many would make the decision to switch to public transportation if given the opportunity.
“I would like to encourage you to work toward new and improved mass transit options in WI. My husband and I take Amtrak whenever possible. There are no buses in my community of Pewaukee. We would opt to take them if there were!” - Mary, Pewaukee
“Making public transit available in all its forms is one really important way to help our ailing planet. Many people I know would leave their cars behind if there was some other way to get to where they want/need to go.”- Nina, LaCrosse
“Public transportation was my main choice for most of my life and still would be if it were available.”- Linda, Menomonee Falls
In addition to our petition, a number of our members submitted letters to the editors to the Wisconsin State Journal and to Madison.com, emphasizing the merits of mass transit. In his letter, Pat from La Crosse remarked that our current transportation systems leave people behind and public transportation is the way forward. Masaru from Madison urged the selection committees to fund transit on the grounds that individuals can only fully participate in their communities when they have the ability to get around quickly. Both letters mentioned Transit Equity Day, an initiative to promote the idea that public transportation is a civil right, which we celebrated by flyering at a bus transfer station. Groups across Wisconsin promoted the initiative, which occurs in early February in honor of Rosa Parks’ birthday, by hosting presentations on transit, engaging with transit riders and creating public displays.
As a part of the Coalition for More Responsible Transportation, we issued a press release, emphasizing the urgent need for improved transit and further pressuring WisDOT Secretary Thompson to make transit a priority.
The MLS recipients will be announced soon, so check back for more grant-related announcements and other transit events.
Written by Sarah Mossler, Organizing Project Aide for the Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter.