Here's Proof that Transit is a civil rights issue

[John WR]

Milwaukee does have a Transit Riders Union.  Here is a link to their website:

http://www.transitridersunion.org/

[Bonaventure10]

The city of MLW is banking the $$$$$ and collecting the intrest. It has done almost nothing with this money that they have had since 1999

[PNWRMNM]

Phoebe,

According to the article the city, as complainant, made it a race issue. All said and done they got two miles of streetcar line. If I lived in Milwaukee I would be furious as this waste of resources on a frivolous claim by my city "leaders".

Mac

[Phoebe Vet]

Bonaventure10

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/06/15/milwaukee-streetcars-trump-card-over-walker-a-1990s-civil-rights-case/

Civil Rights case that was filed in Milwaukee that was won (in part) that said that USDOT money was favoring white highway users over black transit riders.

 

Did you mean: "wealthy and middle class highway users over poor transit riders"? or you intentionally trying to make it a racial issue?

There is a limit to how large and dense a city can grow before transit becomes absolutely essential to urban mobility.  When that point is reached, it is not just poor people who use transit.  Mass transit is an important component in urban growth.  You can only cram so many cars into city center.

[Dakguy201]

"Proof" is too strong a term to describe a piece of advocacy journalism.  You have to consider the viewpoint of the author.  In this case it is:

Angie Schmitt is a newspaper reporter-turned planner/advocate who manages the Streetsblog Network from glamorous Cleveland, Ohio. She also writes about urban issues particular to the industrial Midwest at Rustwire.com.

[John WR]

It seems to me that this issue is limited to Milwaukee, at least at present.  

[Bonaventure10]

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/06/15/milwaukee-streetcars-trump-card-over-walker-a-1990s-civil-rights-case/

Civil Rights case that was filed in Milwaukee that was won (in part) that said that USDOT money was favoring white highway users over black transit riders.