This might be of interest in the streets.mn community, particularly given the controversies associated with whether elected and appointed officials should and do use of the modes they are supposed to manage. Organized by a coalition of local advocacy groups, the “Roll With Us Transit Challenge” will be an excellent illustration of where transit works well, and where it doesn’t, pointing out issues where improvement is warranted. I hope more legislators and other officials can be persuaded to participate in this or something like it.

The following “Media Advisory” came across:

What:  Legislators Take “Roll With Us Transit Challenge”

 

Next week, March 1-7, Minnesota legislators have been challenged to ride transit, just as many of their constituents do. As the legislature considers transportation funding proposals this session, advocates are urging representatives and senators to “ride a mile in our shoes.”

 

Legislators signing up for the #HowWeRollMN transportation challenge will take public transportation to work, to day care, to the store, and other everyday tasks to witness the realities of today’s transit system. Over the past decade, funding for bus service has been flat, while ridership has been growing. As a result, people in our communities face significant challenges.

 

When:  March 1-7, 2015

 

Why:

“The goal of this week is to highlight the need for better transit by using it for all of our daily living needs. Although this week cannot replicate someone’s actual experience, we hope that we can at least open a window into the critical situation faced by Minnesota’s transit riders,” said Senator Scott Dibble, Chair of Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee.

 

Who:

The bipartisan roster of legislators signed on includes (note: legislators continue to sign on, so this list is not complete):

Senator Scott Dibble (61, Minneapolis),

Senator Eric Pratt (55, Prior Lake),

Senator David Senjem (25, Rochester),

Senator Patricia Torres Ray (63, Minneapolis),

Representative Mike Freiberg (45B, Golden Valley),

Representative Sandra Masin (51A, Eagan),

Representative Rena Moran (65A, St. Paul),

Representative JoAnn Ward (53A, Woodbury),

Representative Laurie Halverson (51B, Eagan),

Representative Connie Bernardy (41A, Fridley),

Representative Erik Simonson (7B, Duluth),

Representative Jennifer Schultz (7A, Duluth),

Representative Mike Sundin (11A, Esko),

Representative Alice Hausman (66A, St. Paul),

Representative Frank Hornstein (61A, Minneapolis).

Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith and Metropolitan Council Chair Adam Duininck also will take the challenge.

 

The Roll With Us Transit Challenge is sponsored by: Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, Catholic Charities of St. Paul & Mpls., Fresh Energy, MPIRG, Sierra Club North Star Chapter, Transit for Livable Communities, TakeAction MN, ATU Local 1005, MN Center for Environmental Advocacy, Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, Summit Academy OIC, Minnesota Environmental Partnership, ISAIAH