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The following was written by the Transit Issues
Committee chair:
Hello Everyone,
I recently sent a letter to the Mayor and Commission requesting
adequate funding for transit, and advocating for the creation of
a Metropolitan Transit Authority. I am pasting the text below. I
encourage all of you to add your voice and let ACC know that transit
is important to you and this community. Feel free to use my words,
or write up your own letter. Contact
info can be found on our website. Send a message to the commissioner
for your district, or to all of them, whatever you have time for.
The main thing is that they hear from as many people and from as
many perspectives as possible.
Here's my letter:
20 February 2003
Mayor Heidi Davison and Commission
Athens-Clarke County
P.O. Box 1868 Athens, GA 30603
Dear Mayor Davison and ACC Commissioners,
I am writing to request your support for funding Athens Transit
at adequate levels. The future of this community depends on
it. I realize that all departments are facing budget reductions
and that it is very difficult to prioritize how to spend limited
dollars. However, I believe that public transit is an increasingly
essential community service and a sound investment in the future
of Athens-Clarke County. Currently, Athens Transit is not funded
at a level to provide for even a small amount of growth, and
has already had its inadequate budget reduced in past years.
The Transit Department needs the financial resources to provide
superior service, not just enough to get by from year to year.
Our community's public transportation system must grow in order
to keep up with the increases in population and traffic congestion,
and to improve our quality of life as Athenians.
Athens Transit currently provides an excellent service, given
its budget constraints. However, common complaints about the
current transit system include the insufficient frequency of
trips during the day and the lack of night service. Many citizens
would also like to see more areas served by an expanded network
of routes. Although ridership has recently increased tremendously,
I believe that it still does not reflect latent demand. Many
potential riders prefer to commute by car because of the inadequate
service. Additionally, those who use transit will go back to
using cars, if adequate services are not maintained. With increased
funds, Athens Transit could provide improved services, which
would benefit the community as a whole, even those who will
never step on a bus. The more people ride the bus, the fewer
drive their cars, and this translates to less air pollution,
less traffic congestion, greater road safety, and fewer parking
hassles for everyone.
Transit is good for our community in many other ways as well.
It is a matter of social justice, providing mobility to the
blind, disabled, elderly, and financially disadvantaged in addition
to those who simply choose not to drive. Transit is also good
for the economy. It creates jobs. It may improve business revenues,
particularly downtown. By providing access to jobs, education,
and services, it reduces the costs of social services. It also
reduces the need for spending money on expanding roadways. It
has been estimated that for each $1 invested in transit, there
is up to a $6 return (American Public Transportation Association,
2002).
Given the financial realities, I also advocate for the creation
of a Metropolitan Transit Authority that would have the power
to raise its own funds. Current legislation is being reviewed
to allow for a referendum to ask taxpayers to approve a local
sales tax specifically dedicated to transit. It has been estimated
that a quarter of a cent sales tax could raise as much as four
(4) million dollars annually to fund transit, which could allow
the current General fund contribution of $1.5 million to be
returned to the Unified Government for other uses.
Public transit is an investment in our community, in our environment,
and in our quality of life. Please do what it takes to help
Athens Transit fulfill its potential.
Sincerely,
Kirsten R. Hazler
Chair, Transit Issues Committee, BikeAthens
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