SPC and Transit Hearing

A call to action from Joy, FYI.

Transit is a global warming issue. It's a local issue. It's a quality of life issue. It's a revitalization issue. It's a workers issue. It's a yuppie issue. It's a senior issue, a youth issue, and a commuter issue. In short, it's YOUR issue, and you need to give it a brief infusion of your time.

Do you regularly ride the bus, or bike, or walk, anywhere in Southwestern PA...or wish you could? Can you offer planners your expertise on what is, and is not, working, for you, your friends, and your neighbors?

Please participate in the following transit policy meeting. You can submit comments before hand, or after the meeting (by 4:30 PM, July 27). Or, you can come to the meeting. Pick one...and do it.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) invites the public (YOU!) to a Public Participation Panel meeting. Hear presentations, ask questions from SPC, PennDOT, transit and planning departments reps, and make your voice heard.

WHEN: Thursday, June 29 at 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: 31st floor, Regional Enterprise Tower, 425 Sixth Ave.,

Downtown Pittsburgh (Old Alcoa Building in Mellon Square.)

Concerned how to preserve public transit in an era of federal cuts and local tight budgets? Want more bike ways (a key element in the self-sustaining Philly revitalization)? Want to reduce auto emissions? Favor a new light rail line, or BRT (bus rapid transit) system? Strong feelings about the Mon-Fayette Toll Road issue?
Care about air quality?

Come and speak up! (or send comments to comments@spcregion.org , or submit via www.spcregion.org , or fax to TIP Comments, 412-391-9160, or mail them in to SPC Comments, 425 Sixth Ave., Suite 2500, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1852.)

What's on the table?

1. Draft 2007-2010 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
2. Amendments to the 2030 Transportation and Development Plan
3. Air Quality Conformity Determination for the TIP and Long Range Plan
4. [add your issue here, and make it happen]

As of June 27, 2006 (two days before the meeting) the documents will be available at: and at ALL branches of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. For breaking issues & insight, contact Heather Sage at 412-258-6681
Get the flyer from Richard Merizer (in his official capacity, at his official e-mail) at Richard.Meritzer@city.pittsburgh.pa.us

Don't let perfectionism or a tight schedule deter you from doing what's right, and participating in major local planning decisions that affect YOU.

If you don't have time to read the draft, tell the planning commission what you know, and they don't know: How's your commute? What needs fixed? How much would it mean to you if your employer offered bus passes? Bike rack busses: have the bugs been fixed? How does air quality affect you, in general? On your commute? Where have you nearly been hit by a car? What wide street has lots of cyclists, but no bike lane? Where are the sidewalks trashed? Which bus stops feel dangerous at night, and which feel safe? Should bikes be allowed in bus lanes? They don't know these simple facts. You do. Tell them.