DMI

“I initially became interested in transportation issues in 2002, while serving as a member of a City of Madison committee focused on parking needs in the West Washington Avenue area. I have since gained an understanding of the cost of maintaining parking structures and roads and the resulting public subsidy of automobile use. With rising gas prices, I personally began researching transportation options available to travel between Sun Prairie and downtown Madison - they are fairly limited and don’t offer much flexibility. In addition to the easily quantifiable costs associated with our use of automobiles, there are numerous other reasons to look at transportation options – such as reducing traffic congestion and minimizing our impact on the environment. I might have been uncertain about the need for a regional transit authority (RTA) earlier in my transportation education process. Now, I know that individual municipalities cannot provide people living in the greater Madison area with more and better transportation options without working cooperatively. This goal can best be accomplished by forming a RTA to provide the funding mechanism to make a cooperative effort possible.”

Janine Punzel, Vice President, Hovde Realty, Inc.

Letter to Kohl, Feingold, Baldwin

Contact information:

Senator Herbert Kohl

Email form

Madison Office
14 West Mifflin Street, Suite 207
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 264-5338
Fax: (608) 264-5473

Senator Russ Feingold

Email form:

Middleton Office
1600 Aspen Commons
Middleton, WI 53562-4716
(608) 828-1200
TDD (608) 828-1215
Fax (608) 828-1203

CongresspersonTammy Baldwin

Email form:

Wisconsin Office

10 East Doty Street, Suite 405
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 258-9800
Fax: (608) 258-9808

Date ( _______)

Dear ( Name of Official ) :

Madison and Dane County have been studying rail transit possibilities for the area since 1981. With our ongoing dependence on foreign oil we need solutions for our energy crisis that builds from local solutions.

The future of our region with its unique geography of major institutions on an isthmus is tied to better transit. The area has been serious about land use and growth management since the 1970s. Our comprehensive plans call for denser growth with liveable and walkable neighborhoods linked by transit and other transportation to preserve our farmland and agricultural heritage. To achieve a denser pattern or growth we need better transit as the region’s core, its isthmus cannot accommodate new roadways or greatly increased auto traffic. Rail transit can permit the Capitol Region to demonstrate that good land use and good transportation combined will enhance a vibrant urban place.

Transport 2020 has applied to the Federal Transit Authority for approval to enter Preliminary Engineering for Commuter Rail. I hope you will consult with local officials and provide support for federal funding for our rail future.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely.

(Your Name

And Address)