Skip to main content

Rider Insider TSAC 11/2019


Transit Services Advisory Committee
What You Should Know About It and Why
By Jeffrey Jordan
What TSAC does:
The Transit Services Advisory Committee (TSAC) provides citizen input regarding the Milwaukee County Transit System to the County Board Committee on Transportation Public Works & Transit. Primarily the group is charged to represent the riders and the public in transit issues facing the County Board. TSAC is asked to submit reports and advice to the Board's Committee.
How TSAC members are chosen, and who they meet with:
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors created TSAC in June of 2005. County Supervisors appoint members of TSAC. 
TSAC members have monthly meetings with MCTS staff, a representative from the bus drivers and mechanics union, and other guests. The sessions are mostly informal - TSAC members provide a sounding board for MCTS staff ideas. Occasionally TSAC members vote to support or oppose policies, and this is passed along as advice given to the County Board Committee on Transportation Public Works & Transit.
Transit discussions:
Recently, TSAC meetings have included discussions about NEXT (the complete bus system redesign), funding challenges at county/state/national levels, union negotiations, and more. 
The county's transit system is vital to many people for many reasons. 
If someone doesn't use the bus, they might be tempted to think, "Why should I care about the bus system?" Consider this: every bus rider could be another car on the road if the bus weren't available. Buses provide an efficient and sustainable way for people to get around. Buses get people to work, and bus riders work in all industries- so a better bus system enhances the economy. 
Some bus riders have few (or no) other transportation options, and other bus riders have options yet prefer to take the bus. People with disabilities, people without drivers licenses, tourists, students, people on limited incomes, people who prefer not to drive, and people going to destinations with limited parking are just some of the people who rely on a healthy bus system. Each year, thousands of seniors must decide if they should continue to drive. If there is no mass transit for them, they face two options; isolation or operating a vehicle that they are not competent to handle
Are you concerned about MCTS’s future?
If you have concerns about Milwaukee County’s transit system, contact your county supervisor, or reach out to TSAC. You can direct your questions, complaints, or ideas to TSAC's Facebook Page. Start by “Liking” the page and then make your entry on the timeline.
Jeff is a freelance writer and patron of MCTS. He was for a brief period a member and the chair of the Transit Services Advisory Committee.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Once A Young Man

 My late friend Jack had a saying that's lost on young people; it sure was lost on me. With his version of a Finnish accent, he'd say, " We are too soon old and too late, smart." I've never heard anybody answer the question about returning and reliving their youth that didn't include the covariate that they would know what they know now. Maturation and accepting the onset of the later years of our life goes a long way to mellowing our passions. Chicago Bear fans are less intimidating, and the members of the opposite sex who are age appropriate are far more appealing than we might have thought in our youth. Yes, I will admit some men still try to relive their youth in ways that defy logic. This facet of two late smart prevents athletes from realizing when their best years are behind them. More men than women seem to delude themselves into believing that members of the opposite sex half their age are suitable mates.  I'm not going to deny that some of us old...
Post a Comment
Read more

Which Doctor Do I Call?

 It started with weepy, crusty eyes. Then my left leg started acting like it had a swivel for a knee. Suddenly, I was experiencing a lack of energy. To top it off, I wasn't getting a good night's sleep. Who do ya call? In my case, I'm calling my primary. My eye problem might need a specialist. Since I have CMT, my leg problem could be neuropathy or orthopedic. My cancer treatments might lead to my lack of pep. And despite using my pillows to attain perfect comfort, my aching legs and lower back keep me awake. I'm going to be cutting back a bit since my health seems to be melting before my weepy, crusty eyes. I've quit my tutoring gig. This hurts me. My student, six-year-old Aydn Collins, is a joy to be with. I had hoped my contribution to his education would be good for him. The biggest problem with the job is getting in and out of the school. Featuring long walks from and back to the parking lot and the mountain of stairs. The older schools are wonderful in almost ...
1 comment
Read more

Watching the Oldies

Note: Last week's post was late. There is a reason. Read on.  Classic Film: From Here To Eternity The film opens in Hawaii in 1941. The film stars Bur Lancaster, Mongomery Clift, Deborah Carr and Donna Reed. It is before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The only scene I remember is a scene many people who never watched the entire film have seen. It shows Bert Lancaster and Deborah Carr lying on a sandy beach, kissing as an incoming washed over them. Given the popularity of that scene, it was amazing to me that that iconic image is only seconds long in the film. The story is about the innocence of army personnel with no idea what's coming. Lancaster literally runs the squad while his Captain lets him take charge so he can campaign for his promotion and cheat on his wife.  To make up for the disrespect he has for his commanding officer, Lancaster beds his Captain's officer's wife only to fall in love with her.  Clift's character suffers the humiliation of an offic...
Post a Comment
Read more