From 1000 Friends of Iowa
 
The Iowa DOT Invites Public Input 

 
The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is inviting input from Iowans concerning the Statewide Public Transportation Study. 

There has been some confusion about what the focus of these meetings is about so we'd like to stress these meetings aren't about bike trails. The meetings are about public transit, or passenger transportation - moving groups of people, not individuals. 

It is difficult for us to monitor the 17 MPOs and COGs across Iowa who do the local transportation planning. We do know the Des Moines Area MPO is planning another 341 projects that would increase Vehicle Miles Traveled by 33% by 2035, and that planning will likely increase greenhouse gas emmissions. This is your big chance to tell lawmakers to change the incentives. By attending and making your voice heard at one of these meetings, we can tell them collectively that Iowans want to reduce their reliance on the automobile by using a reliable transit system with dependable services.

Everyone is invited to a round of six public meetings to be held in September. Through these upcoming public meetings, the Iowa DOT is seeking input on:


Baseline level of service for public transportation in Iowa 
Gap analysis between baseline service and public transportation   demands of Iowans.
Transportation services needed to close these gaps.
The additional cost of these services.
Addressing Iowa's energy conservation goals.
The range of possible funding concepts to address service needs.
Draft findings of the study to date.Using information gathered at these public meetings and other sources, the Iowa DOT will finalize the study and submit the report making recommendations to the Legislature on Dec. 1, 2009.  

If you cannot attend one of the meetings, you can still make your opinion known by completing the survey at www.iRIDE21.com.

September 15, 2009
Manhattan Restauraunt
24256 Iowa 5
Centerville, IA
5:30 - 7 pm
Refreshments will be served


September 15, 2009
Sioux City Public Library
Gleeson Room
529 Pierce St.
Sioux City, IA
5:30 - 7 pm
Refreshments will be served


September 16, 2009
Des Moines Central Library
1000 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA
5:30 - 7 pm
Refreshments will be served


September 16, 2009
Coralville Public Library
Room A
1401 Fifth St.
Iowa City, IA
5:30 - 7 pm
Refreshments will be served


September 17, 2009
Bettendorf Public Library
2950 Learning Campus Dr.
Bettendorf, IA
5:30 - 7 pm
Refreshments will be served


September 17, 2009
Waterloo Center for Arts
225 Commercial St.
Waterloo, IA
5:30 - 7 pm
Refreshments will be served


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]

Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see:
 http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp