Press Release

Contacts:
Dale Schaber, Sierra Club 920-739-6041
Chris Phelps, Green Bay Metro 920-448-3450
Nikki Voelzke, Valley Transit 920-832-5800
March 9, 2010

Panelists Define Urgent Need for Better Transit and Regional

Transit Authority

Public Forum to Discuss Transit Choices for

Fox Cities and Greater Green Bay Areas

The Transit Forum in De Pere will attract businesses, individuals and agencies
expressing a desire to increase mobility, access and transportation choices in their
communities. In the Fox Cities area, over 15 letters of support for forming a Fox Valley
Regional Transit Authority have been received from a variety of county, city, town and
other local sources. In the Green Bay Metro service area, six resolutions supporting the
formation of a Greater Green Bay Regional Transit Authority have been passed by City
councils or Village boards.

“The future of transit in this region is in jeopardy,” stated Joyce McCollum, League of
Women Voters of Greater Green Bay, the Forum moderator. “The 2010 federal census
is expected to exceed 200,000 population for Appleton and Green Bay. Future federal
transit funds will then only be available for capital purchases but not for transit
operations.”

Federal funds available to cities over 200,000 in population can be used for capital
purchases, like buses, but not for transit operations, like driver salaries and fuel.

Paul Linzmeyer, NEW North Sustainability Chair and a Forum panelist, will explain the
importance of Regional Transit Authorities in the Fox Cities and Green Bay Metro Areas
in creating jobs, spurring development and economic growth, and attracting and
retaining businesses and investors. This dynamic region has a bright future, but needs
to continue to build and strengthen transportation connections with other economic
centers.

State Representative Penny Bernard Schaber, 57th District, will describe legislation
authored by herself and State Senator Michael Ellis, 19th District. AB 734 authorizes the
creation of Fox Cities RTA. This bill aims to provide stable funding for Valley Transit,
which stands to lose about $1,500,000 in operating fund or 20 % of its budget.

Brown County Executive Tom Hintz will note how severe budget cuts lead to cuts in
service and increased fares for transit users. Green Bay Metro estimates range from
$550,000 up to $2,500,00 in operating fund are at stake. This is up to 25% of Metro’s
2008 operating budget.

- MORE -
Twenty-two groups used the Forum to release their joint statement in support of
Regional Transit Authorities in the Fox Cities and Greater Green Bay Metro regions.
The statement will be presented on Thursday to the Assembly Transportation Committee
holding a hearing on four RTA bills.

“We need strong leadership from our elected officials and business leaders to say we
need an RTA now to meet the needs of residents and businesses in Northeast
Wisconsin," said Alan Lawrence, chair of the Fox Valley Group of the Sierra Club. “It is
our goal to see bills for any communities seeking RTAs through committee and on to
passage this spring.”

Participants at the event will hear the latest about several bills in the hopper at the State
Capitol. With only five weeks left in the regular legislative session, bills with strong
public endorsement stand the best chance of passage. Earlier this session, the Biennial
Budget Act, 2009 Wisconsin Act 28, authorized the creation of regional transit authorities
for Dane County, Chippewa Valley and Chequamegon Bay.

The Forum is a collaborative effort of NEW North Sustainability Committee, League of

Women Voters, Sierra Club, WISPIRG, Valley Transit, Green Bay Metro and others.

WHAT: Forum:
Transportation Choices for the Fox Cities and Greater Green Bay Areas

WHEN:
th
Tuesday March 9 , 2010
5:45 pm. – 7:45 pm.

WHERE:
DePere Kress Family Branch library
333 N. Broadway
DePere, WI

Agenda and Speakers:

Panel of local leaders on public transit, transportation choices and the
need for a Regional Transit Authority.
Paul Linzmeyer, NEW North Sustainability Chair
th
State Representative Penny Bernard Schaber, 57 District
Brown County Executive Tom Hintz

Audience discussion
Testimonials
Action opportunities

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