Document Actions
Bruce's group - WCGTFH
We Can Get There From Here
Notes
Rachael Weinstein
1. Vision Statement:
a) add “safety”
b) add “convenient” to 1st sentence (make “...affordable, reliable, convenient, and sustainable...”)
c) strengthen the Vision Statement to ownership by the people; make it a personal statement rather than government responsibility: delete “We believe...” & change to: “Maine will create and improve access...”
d) educational componente) government help create a market
f) address land use
2. Action Steps:
a) education
b) of the public about options (ie Amtrak & bus transferrable)
c) of Maine DOT
• re-organize DOT to get more advocates there
d) talk to the “old hat” & look at other cities for examples of sustainability• make it easy & lead by example
• ambassadors (“ambusidor” :)) (showing how to use the Metro, rail, trail guides, etc.)
e) talk to the “old hat” & look at other cities for examples of sustainability
f) outreach
• find mentors from other cities; don't re-invent the wheel
• other cities in ME: L/A, B/B, Augusta & work together
• recognize the “Two Maines” & recognize distinctions; find middle ground components that work for each
• identify neighborhoods that might need some organizational help
• more public forums, active recruiting campaign
• more school initiatives so kids influence parents
g) incentivize: offer free coffee, credits, etc. for using public modes of transit (ie Hannaford free bus ride)
h) elect sympathetic officials (Neighborhood Orgs, City Council, State Rep, etc.)• also hold City staff more accountable
• empower electeds
i) shuttles for events• late-night shuttles
j) increase safety• crosswalks; flags; ped lights
• police education & involvement
• motorists/cyclist dialogue; enforce poor cyclist habits
k) Complete Streets Policy• transportation corridor for everyone
• active communities: develop communities w/idea that it has all-access to neighborhood; inherent built-in design
l) economic development implications• commuter rail
• provide bicycle route info – like Google Maps
• best routes, etc.
m) adhere to STPAn) avoid “fads” & develop systems that create support systems & mechanisms to make it last!
• make reliable & economical
• hold regular forums like this one to keep momentum & gain diverse support
3. Other Ideas:
a) merge school buses w/Metro
b) there has been a cultural shift affecting convenience, esp. w/children getting to school
c) need an all-transit transferrable pass
4. Priorities:
◦ lower-cost items (incentivize)
◦ ambassadors for each mode; “ambusadors”
◦ education → mainstream events “army of advocates”
◦ complete Streets Policy
◦ crosswalks: adopt & implement policies
◦ find mentor communities – sister city program?
◦ empower elected officials
◦ keep the momentum: regularly-scheduled forums like this!
◦ Diversify!
