Comments on: Advocates Make the Case for More Federal Funding for Southern California Transit and Bikeways http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/ Covering Los Angeles's livable streets movement Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: francisca porchas http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-181871 francisca porchas Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:25:07 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-181871 No BRU person has said that MTA has complied with Consent Decree. I participated in the press conference, which was specifically on the Federal Surface Transportation Act and our particular point of Unity with T4A and other allies was increasing funds to operate the system. Thanks Denny and T4A for working together to push this particular conversation on operations forward locally and nationally. francisca No BRU person has said that MTA has complied with Consent Decree. I participated in the press conference, which was specifically on the Federal Surface Transportation Act and our particular point of Unity with T4A and other allies was increasing funds to operate the system.

Thanks Denny and T4A for working together to push this particular conversation on operations forward locally and nationally.

francisca

]]> By: Spokker http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-167391 Spokker Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:05:52 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-167391 So rail is still racist? So rail is still racist?

]]> By: Esperanza Martinez http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-167321 Esperanza Martinez Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:47:14 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-167321 Both the BRU and Transit Riders for Public Transportation are allies of Transportation 4 America and have been working together to create more flexibility around operations which is a strong point of unity. Both the BRU and Transit Riders for Public Transportation are allies of Transportation 4 America and have been working together to create more flexibility around operations which is a strong point of unity.

]]> By: Esperanza Martinez http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-167171 Esperanza Martinez Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:18:26 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-167171 Damien, thanks for the blog and the mention of Francisca's comments. I wanted to clarify that the BRU is NOT supportive of the 30-10 acceleration plan. We did see this as an opportunity to raise concerns and pose questions to US DOT around transit operations. Aurisha, LACBC presence was felt and seen both in side and outside of the boardroom, great comment during the hearing! Damien, thanks for the blog and the mention of Francisca’s comments. I wanted to clarify that the BRU is NOT supportive of the 30-10 acceleration plan. We did see this as an opportunity to raise concerns and pose questions to US DOT around transit operations.

Aurisha, LACBC presence was felt and seen both in side and outside of the boardroom, great comment during the hearing!

]]> By: Umberto Brayj http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-164911 Umberto Brayj Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:10:10 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-164911 Te amo Spokker. Te amo Spokker.

]]> By: Spokker http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-164671 Spokker Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:37:45 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-164671 Rail isn't racist anymore or what? Rail isn’t racist anymore or what?

]]> By: Damien Newton http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-164571 Damien Newton Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:03:49 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-164571 Ok, here's the sentence again: ---- More important than Zane's ability to bring his friends from a year and a half ago back together was the presence of the BRU, who opposed Measure R, and Bike Coalition, who sat on the sidelines. ---- The point...that two groups who were not vocally supporting the passage of Measure R were at the press conference yesterday, the stated purpose of which from the person running the press conference was to support the "30 in 10" plan. To the best of my knowledge, the LACBC didn't support the passage of Measure R or fight against its passage. Thus "on the sidelines." If this is unclear on reading it, I'll happily change the sentence a little. Originally, the "bike ped set aside" battle was started here, but that was just to get it as part of the ballot measure and it ultimately failed. However, the LACBC has taken a leadership role in getting the city to follow through with the Mayor's promise to set aside part of the Local Return from Measure R and has gotten a lot of very positive coverage from Streetsblog for their efforts which look as though they're going to ultimately be successful. Ok, here’s the sentence again:
—-
More important than Zane’s ability to bring his friends from a year and a half ago back together was the presence of the BRU, who opposed Measure R, and Bike Coalition, who sat on the sidelines.
—-

The point…that two groups who were not vocally supporting the passage of Measure R were at the press conference yesterday, the stated purpose of which from the person running the press conference was to support the “30 in 10″ plan. To the best of my knowledge, the LACBC didn’t support the passage of Measure R or fight against its passage. Thus “on the sidelines.” If this is unclear on reading it, I’ll happily change the sentence a little.

Originally, the “bike ped set aside” battle was started here, but that was just to get it as part of the ballot measure and it ultimately failed. However, the LACBC has taken a leadership role in getting the city to follow through with the Mayor’s promise to set aside part of the Local Return from Measure R and has gotten a lot of very positive coverage from Streetsblog for their efforts which look as though they’re going to ultimately be successful.

]]> By: Aurisha http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-164561 Aurisha Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:53:48 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-164561 To clarify...LACBC organized the bicycle rally, not the press conference, to highlight the need to prioritize funding for bike projects in the Transportation Bill. Based on comments I received from the Secretary for Transportation Policy of USDOT, our strong presence, both visibly and vocally at the press conference and during the hearing made a big impact on them. Thanks to ALL who showed up to rally and who spoke up at the hearing. And..next time we get a voice at the podium, as we deserve! To clarify…LACBC organized the bicycle rally, not the press conference, to highlight the need to prioritize funding for bike projects in the Transportation Bill.

Based on comments I received from the Secretary for Transportation Policy of USDOT, our strong presence, both visibly and vocally at the press conference and during the hearing made a big impact on them.

Thanks to ALL who showed up to rally and who spoke up at the hearing.

And..next time we get a voice at the podium, as we deserve!

]]> By: Aurisha http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-164521 Aurisha Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:32:50 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-164521 LACBC has taken a formal and informal position that we want the 10% for bike/ped from Measure R and have been pushing for it for months now with the Mayor and with Councilmembers. Not sure where you get the notion that we have not taken a stance on this. LACBC has taken a formal and informal position that we want the 10% for bike/ped from Measure R and have been pushing for it for months now with the Mayor and with Councilmembers. Not sure where you get the notion that we have not taken a stance on this.

]]> By: Samantha http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-164361 Samantha Sat, 20 Feb 2010 23:35:55 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-164361 Wow. Those are some nice posters. Wow. Those are some nice posters.

]]> By: ramonchu http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-164171 ramonchu Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:36:02 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-164171 It's definitely something that bicyclists have to push for as this conversation for billions of dollars in rail and transit starts to really catch on--we need to effectively make the case that transit will never take off in this country if it doesn't abandon it's reliance on automobile access and begin to embrace bike and ped convenience. That's the bit we need to run with, that's how we can finally start to see set asides and the higher ups involved in all this starting to take bikes seriously. None of this big money project stuff is set in stone, none of it is a given success yet and we need to make it clear to these people that if they aren't building a coalition of bikes, peds, community advocates, livability interests, these things aren't going to be able to beat out the auto-lobby. In the past it seems transit has been happy to park-and-ride themselves to insignificance, or build stations and stops that make people feel like their in somekind of horror flick. Those days have to end and they begin with more money for bikes and peds built into each and every major, minor, past, present and future transit project. LACBC didn't put this event together, though I believe every bicyclist there was rallied by the Bike Coalition. It’s definitely something that bicyclists have to push for as this conversation for billions of dollars in rail and transit starts to really catch on–we need to effectively make the case that transit will never take off in this country if it doesn’t abandon it’s reliance on automobile access and begin to embrace bike and ped convenience. That’s the bit we need to run with, that’s how we can finally start to see set asides and the higher ups involved in all this starting to take bikes seriously. None of this big money project stuff is set in stone, none of it is a given success yet and we need to make it clear to these people that if they aren’t building a coalition of bikes, peds, community advocates, livability interests, these things aren’t going to be able to beat out the auto-lobby. In the past it seems transit has been happy to park-and-ride themselves to insignificance, or build stations and stops that make people feel like their in somekind of horror flick. Those days have to end and they begin with more money for bikes and peds built into each and every major, minor, past, present and future transit project.

LACBC didn’t put this event together, though I believe every bicyclist there was rallied by the Bike Coalition.

]]> By: Damien Newton http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-163861 Damien Newton Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:41:25 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-163861 Aww come on, sidelines? Bicyclists get screwed on every level, even with federal projects, so it's hard to have anything substantial that's ready to go to stump about. But that didn't stop us from being an essential part of the question and answer dialogue inside this meeting. ------------- I was just referring to the Measure R debate, and I believe, because the Metro Board wouldn't put a set-aside for bike-ped projects, that the LACBC didn't take a position either formally or informally. Not that I blame them, I was pretty annoyed at Metro for that also. Aww come on, sidelines? Bicyclists get screwed on every level, even with federal projects, so it’s hard to have anything substantial that’s ready to go to stump about. But that didn’t stop us from being an essential part of the question and answer dialogue inside this meeting.
————-

I was just referring to the Measure R debate, and I believe, because the Metro Board wouldn’t put a set-aside for bike-ped projects, that the LACBC didn’t take a position either formally or informally. Not that I blame them, I was pretty annoyed at Metro for that also.

]]> By: Damien Newton http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-163851 Damien Newton Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:39:52 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-163851 Browne, I just asked where the press sign in was and filled out a form at the table. Didn't even bother with the RSVP process. Browne,

I just asked where the press sign in was and filled out a form at the table. Didn’t even bother with the RSVP process.

]]> By: Browne http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-163341 Browne Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:17:46 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-163341 How did you guys get inside the meeting? The Bus Bench RSVPd we didn't get in. I'm not sure what criteria was used for who got in and who didn't get in. Does anyone know? Browne How did you guys get inside the meeting? The Bus Bench RSVPd we didn’t get in. I’m not sure what criteria was used for who got in and who didn’t get in. Does anyone know?

Browne

]]> By: Hank http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-163271 Hank Sat, 20 Feb 2010 07:18:20 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-163271 did anyone from the LACBC speak? I thought they organized this. did anyone from the LACBC speak? I thought they organized this.

]]> By: ramonchu http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-163191 ramonchu Sat, 20 Feb 2010 05:30:20 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-163191 Aww come on, sidelines? Bicyclists get screwed on every level, even with federal projects, so it's hard to have anything substantial that's ready to go to stump about. But that didn't stop us from being an essential part of the question and answer dialogue inside this meeting. Aww come on, sidelines? Bicyclists get screwed on every level, even with federal projects, so it’s hard to have anything substantial that’s ready to go to stump about. But that didn’t stop us from being an essential part of the question and answer dialogue inside this meeting.

]]> By: Dana Gabbard http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-162921 Dana Gabbard Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:27:14 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-162921 S.S. Sam Taylor, the federal requirements that you describe are nothing new and in fact quite sensible. I rather think you are overstating the situation and in any case nothing is a set in 95814. Yeah, they likely will rob us blind but the scenario you outline is the least of our problems as fare increases and service cuts roil the transit landscape (and have for the past few years). S.S. Sam Taylor, the federal requirements that you describe are nothing new and in fact quite sensible. I rather think you are overstating the situation and in any case nothing is a set in 95814. Yeah, they likely will rob us blind but the scenario you outline is the least of our problems as fare increases and service cuts roil the transit landscape (and have for the past few years).

]]> By: S.S. Sam Taylor http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-162821 S.S. Sam Taylor Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:25:49 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-162821 It is great to see everyone at the Dog and Pony Show. Meanwhile in Sacramento, the Senate and the Governor are working on a plan that will remove huge amounts of transit operating support. The problem: with the new federal regulations, a transit property must show that they can operate the service before getting a grant. The way the state proposal is set up, most transit operators will not be able to show that they can run what they have. So the Governor and the Senate have screwed up the chance to get grants to build system expansions. Meantime, while Rome burns, the masses are duped into believing that there will be Federal Funds, but there is the catch 22. Sad. It is great to see everyone at the Dog and Pony Show. Meanwhile in Sacramento, the Senate and the Governor are working on a plan that will remove huge amounts of transit operating support. The problem: with the new federal regulations, a transit property must show that they can operate the service before getting a grant. The way the state proposal is set up, most transit operators will not be able to show that they can run what they have. So the Governor and the Senate have screwed up the chance to get grants to build system expansions.

Meantime, while Rome burns, the masses are duped into believing that there will be Federal Funds, but there is the catch 22. Sad.

]]> By: Dana Gabbard http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/02/19/advocates-make-the-case-for-more-federal-funding-for-southern-california-transit-and-bikeways/comment-page-1/#comment-162651 Dana Gabbard Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:46:22 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=33601#comment-162651 "... BRU's presence at what was billed as a "30 in 10" event could be major moment in local transportation history" It is startling. On the other hand at one point under some pressure from various left interests Eric Mann puiblicly said Metro has complied with the initial requirements of the consent decree. Only to disavow/deny the following day having said what he had just said. And having cameras present sometimes trumps all else. For the moment. Hey, politics sometimes means today's foe is tomorrow's ally. SO.CA.TA and the BRU have cooperated in a few instances (like the Rapid on San Fernando Road debacle). If they want to help in getting a public restroom for the Artesia Transit Center we'd welcome their assistance. “… BRU’s presence at what was billed as a “30 in 10″ event could be major moment in local transportation history”

It is startling. On the other hand at one point under some pressure from various left interests Eric Mann puiblicly said Metro has complied with the initial requirements of the consent decree. Only to disavow/deny the following day having said what he had just said. And having cameras present sometimes trumps all else. For the moment.

Hey, politics sometimes means today’s foe is tomorrow’s ally. SO.CA.TA and the BRU have cooperated in a few instances (like the Rapid on San Fernando Road debacle). If they want to help in getting a public restroom for the Artesia Transit Center we’d welcome their assistance.

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