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Saint Paul, MN (February 19, 2019) — The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce is voicing support for transit and transportation infrastructure investments proposed by Governor Walz today. Statement from B Kyle, Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO: “Minnesota needs to be a place where people want to live, work, raise a family, start a business. Competing regions are attractive due to amenities like transit, so investments are critical in attracting and retaining talented workers and the companies that employ them. This infrastructure is not cheap, however has a significant ROI that affects the future of the whole state. Investments in transit and transportation infrastructure are warranted and overdue, as are increases in the gas and metro sales tax to pay for these projects. Our region is growing, but our bus system has not grown with it. We need to catch up to meet the needs of workers today and plan for future growth tomorrow. Improving the system by improving customer experience is a proven strategy, as demonstrated by the success of the A line. Improving speed, reliability, shelters, real-time schedule information and other amenities does attract more riders. Transit is one part of the entire transportation system that includes roads, bridges, bus, train, bike and pedestrian options. We want everyone to be able to have choices and use the options available and best for them to get to work. If that choice is transit, we need to have a system that is reliable and frequent. If that choice is a car, we need roads that are not just curb-to-curb congestion. Making sure investments are made in the whole system is a realistic, responsible approach that we fully support.” ###
Saint Paul, MN (February 19, 2019) — The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce is voicing support for transit and transportation infrastructure investments proposed by Governor Walz today.
Statement from B Kyle, Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO:
“Minnesota needs to be a place where people want to live, work, raise a family, start a business. Competing regions are attractive due to amenities like transit, so investments are critical in attracting and retaining talented workers and the companies that employ them. This infrastructure is not cheap, however has a significant ROI that affects the future of the whole state. Investments in transit and transportation infrastructure are warranted and overdue, as are increases in the gas and metro sales tax to pay for these projects.
Our region is growing, but our bus system has not grown with it. We need to catch up to meet the needs of workers today and plan for future growth tomorrow. Improving the system by improving customer experience is a proven strategy, as demonstrated by the success of the A line. Improving speed, reliability, shelters, real-time schedule information and other amenities does attract more riders.
Transit is one part of the entire transportation system that includes roads, bridges, bus, train, bike and pedestrian options. We want everyone to be able to have choices and use the options available and best for them to get to work. If that choice is transit, we need to have a system that is reliable and frequent. If that choice is a car, we need roads that are not just curb-to-curb congestion. Making sure investments are made in the whole system is a realistic, responsible approach that we fully support.”
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