LANSING – State Representative Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak) joined a panel of mass transit professionals and experts Tuesday for "Let's Get Moving" – the Public Transit Coalition's legislative day for advocacy. The goal of the event was to explore the state of Michigan's existing public transit agencies and the importance of mass transit in Michigan's future.
"Public transit is not a silver bullet that will solve all of Michigan's current economic problems, but a viable plan and action would revitalize our urban hubs and stimulate local businesses," said Donigan, Chair of the House Public Transit Subcommittee. "Public demand for public transit options continues to increase dramatically all across the state and there is much more that we need to do."
Participants joining Donigan at the event included Megan Owens, Director of Transportation Riders United; Clark Harder, Executive Director for the Michigan Public Transit Association; Tim Fischer, Deputy Policy Director of the Michigan Environmental Council; Casey Dutmer, Chair of Concerned Citizens for Improved Transportation; Dave Bulkowski, Director of Disability Advocates of Kent County/Faith in Motion; and State Representative Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor).
Donigan, a longtime advocate for improving public transit across the state, said Michigan lags behind most other states and metropolitan areas and that it is critical Michigan moves into the 21st Century by offering more efficient mass transit options.
"Public transit in Michigan could offer thousands of good-paying jobs for our residents and would bring in more money into the state through federal-funding matching programs," Donigan said. "Public transit is an economic development tool that is underutilized in Michigan – a fact that, if not reversed, threatens to leave us behind forever."