Legislative PositionsTransportation 

Support for improving public transit in Southeast Michigan
SEMCOG supports improving public transit by focusing on the following:

1. Urge the state legislature to amend Act 51 transit provisions to:
   • Eliminate the flaw in the formula for transit funding whereby if one provider receives additional funds to enhance service, funding is diminished for the other providers;
   • Allocate more money to transit; and
   • Encourage effective transit service statewide.
2. Urge the state legislature to pass legislation supporting a regional transit agency that can truly function as an authoritative entity for transit.
3. Work with federal and state legislators to secure a source of administrative funding for a regional transit agency.
4. Urge the federal and state legislatures and MDOT to earmark separate funding for a pilot project and additional rapid transit corridor studies, particularly where consensus is likely.
5. Continue to promote an increased funding ratio for Federal Transit Programs.
6. Encourage communities that are prepared to move forward with rapid transit improvements with their own funds to do so.

[Resolution passed at June 23, 2005 General Assembly meeting.]