Date: Mon, Nov 10, 2014
Subject: Support a broad-based coalition for improved mass transit.

Dear Friend of Peace, Justice and Sustainability,
Please consider the important invitation below and share it with those you know who might be interested. Madison needs broad-based community campaign to improve mass transit. Affordable ecological and efficient mass transportation is a key component for building strong, just and sustainable communities. Madison could be a leader transitioning to mass-transit strong society. Many have been working hard to bring about this transformation. Now is the time to support their efforts and invite more players to the table. At the bottom of this page is information about how you can help. Thank you for considering this invitation.
For a just and sustainable world,

Timothy Cordon

You are invited to help form a Transportation Improvement Coalition* - a broad-based coalition of individuals and groups that are united for a local social and ecological justice victory.

Why focus on public transit?
Safe, efficient and affordable public transportation is a cornerstone of building a healthy community that is socially, ecologically and economically resilient.

* For low-income people, public transit can mean the difference between having life sustaining opportunities or not. Mobility-justice is a key ingredient to upholding social, educational and employment opportunities for all.

* Metro Transit is one of the multi-cultural meeting places within our larger, highly segregated community. Many Madison area residents want more equality and less segregation. Buses bring many cultures together and could serve as meeting places for important conversations about making our communities better. Imagine the untapped potential of people purposefully sharing ideas and information – all while meeting their transportation needs.

* Most people agree public transportation in Madison needs improving. Madison Metro Transit and our city leaders have accomplished much, but we still have a long way to go. A great deal of resource has been committed to studying and improving our transit system. It's time to advance that work and usher in a complete transition from a car-centered metropolitan area to a public transit-centered metropolitan area. We can show ourselves, our nation and the rest of the world that Dane County and Madison, Wisconsin are ready to move forward!

* Effective public transit strengthens local communities by improving safety, increasing mobility and reducing noise and congestion. It also reduces our collective dependence on fossil fuels thereby increasing political, economic and ecological stability worldwide.

* Buses have strong historical connection to movements for peace, racial equality and other social and economic justice issues. (Montgomery Bus Boycott, Freedom Riders, anti-segregation busing, buses to demonstrations in Washington, D.C., "Nuns on the Bus", "The PermiBus" etc. . .)

* Above all, effective public transit enables us to end our daily need for cars - a major step toward ending the global climate crisis. The impacts of climate change are already taking many lives and causing destruction to much of our world. Dangerous feedback loops that could lead to runaway global heating are already underway. If there is any chance to turn things around, it rests in our ability to dramatically reduce the carbon that we are burning. Effective public transit will enable us to do just that.

It's time to unite and make history with buses again. Help launch the Madison Area Bus Movement!

* "Transportation Improvement Coalition" is our "working name" for getting started. What we end up calling ourselves is yet to be determined.