From Topekans in Support of Public Transportation, August 01, 2010
Attention, Public Transit Advocates!
Funding for public transit bus services in Topeka are once again in jeopardy!
The time to take action and make your voices heard is very short!
Mayor Bunten and Councilman Archer have recommended reductions in TMTA funding (potentially $700,000 to $1,300,000 in cuts) that would mean the end of Evening and Sunday Service and dramatic reductions in the Fixed Route Service!
The Council will meet, as their budget committee of the whole, Monday, August 2nd at 5:30 P.M. in the Holliday Building, 620 SE Madison, to begin voting on potential changes to the proposed budget. Advocates won’t be able to make comments at this meeting, but it is an opportunity to demonstrate your support for public transit and to hear first hand where the council members stand on funding for TMTA.
YOUR ONLY OPPORTUNITY for PUBLIC COMMENT will be at the City Council Meeting on August 10th during the public comment period. To get on the agenda to speak you must contact the City Clerk, at 368-3940, no later than 5:00 P.M. on the day of the Council Meeting
A recent study by the consulting firm HDR, at the request of the City Council, showed that TMTA does a fairly efficient job of providing needed bus services in Topeka. In fact, they found there is a greater demand for bus services than is currently being met. Some Council members have alleged a bias by HDR in favor of TMTA, but the survey they conducted of a random sampling of Topekans was done by the ETC Institute who specializes in doing research projects for governmental organizations. The ETC Institute has done research for organizations in 48 states, including the City of Topeka. The ETC Survey found that 91% of Topekans think it is important (71% said VERY important) for Topeka to provide public transit services and 81% said they were satisfied with the current level of service. 47% said they would ride more if the buses ran more frequently.
Our Message to the Council is simple:
Don’t cut funding for Public Transit Services that Topekans value and want more of!
Please contact your council members today and help spread the word on this threat to our public transit system.
You can email the entire City Council at: council@topeka.org or contact them individually using the contact information provided below.
The City Council and City Manager need to here your concerns TODAY, if we are going to stop the cuts!
Kevin Siek for Topekans in Support of Public Transportation
City Council Contact Information:
Council District #1
Karen Hiller, Councilperson
1018 SW Lane St
Topeka, KS 66604
khiller@topeka.org
785-232-2917
Council District #2
John Alcala, Councilperson
520 NE Lake
Topeka, KS 66616
jalcala@topeka.org
785-233-7110
Council District #3
Sylvia Ortiz, Councilperson
837 SE Gilmore
Topeka, KS 66607
sortiz@topeka.org
785-357-0717
Council District #4
Jack Woelfel, Councilperson
3524 SE 25th St
Topeka, KS 66605
jwoelfel@topeka.org
785-215-3323
Council District #5
Larry Wolgast, Councilperson
3400 SW Birchwood Dr
Topeka, KS 66614
lwolgast@topeka.org
785-272-6896
Council District #6
Deborah Swank, Deputy Mayor, Councilperson
1508 SW 15th St.
Topeka, KS 66604
djswank@cox.net
785-233-1037
Council District #7
Bob Archer, Councilperson
3522 SW Westport Ct
Topeka, KS 66614
barcher@topeka.org
785-817-8157
Council District #8
Jeff Preisner, Chair
5513 SW 186th St.
Topeka, KS 66604
jpreisner@topeka.org
785-271-1959
Council District #9
Richard Harmon, Councilperson
935 SW Grand Ct.
Topeka, KS 66606
rharmon@topeka.org
785-271-6962