TRU rallies supporters to defend mass transit funding

Mass transit hasn’t been a priority in Michigan’s budget for years, and this year isn’t any different.More cuts, big and small, are being bandied about Lansing as the state Legislature tries to figure out how to fill a 10-figure budget hole. Detroit-based Transportation Riders United is organizing supporters of mass transit to make sure money specifically designated for transportation funding stays in the right pot.”There have been many, many cuts over the years,” says Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United. “This is just making a bad situation worse.”The non-profit mass transit advocacy is in the midst of launching its Local Transit Action Kickoff initiative. The idea is to pressure legislators and state officials to maintain funding for mass transit in a time when ridership is increasing faster than the price of oil. Public meetings for the initiative have already begun. The remaining two are at the Roseville Recreation Center on July 9 and the Covert Center in Waterford on July 13. Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m.For information, call (313) 963-8872 or click here.Source: Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders UnitedWriter: Jon Zemke