Groups Push for a Transportation System that Serves ALL Michiganders

More than two dozen groups joined together on Rosa Parks birthday to urge Michigan leaders to invest in improving Michigan’s entire transportation system.

Challenging Michigan’s leaders to meet the moment, the groups acknowledged that Michigan’s transportation system has long been underfunded and expressed excitement by the possibilities presented by the current debate over a ‘roads deal’.

However, the groups urged Michigan leaders to not miss another opportunity by focusing exclusively on roads. “We must take this moment to think beyond our old pavement-only paradigm and invest in a sustainable, 21st-century transportation system – one that works for every person and business in our state.

The people of Michigan deserve a full range of transportation options that are affordable, accessible, and well-maintained. Accordingly, the groups spotlighted four key principles that are essential for any ‘road funding’ or transportation deal; it must

  • Invest in the full transportation system (including transit, rail, ferries, pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure, senior services, etc)
  • Not penalize more efficient vehicles
  • Not harm other essential services like schools and municipalities
  • Invest in ‘Fix it First’ approach before expanding roadways

Together, these common sense principles can ensure a transportation system that efficiently and wisely serves all Michiganders for decades to come.

Signers included groups from all across the state, representing millions of Michiganders, including:

  • Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26
  • Ceres
  • Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Greater Detroit Chapter
  • Climate Cabinet
  • Detroit Disability Power
  • Detroit Greenways Coalition
  • Disability Advocates of Kent County
  • Disability Rights Michigan
  • Eastside Climate Action Coalition
  • Eastside Community Network
  • Ecology Center
  • Evergreen Action
  • Groundworks Center for Resilient Communities
  • Kalamazoo Transit Riders Union
  • Michigan Climate Action Network
  • Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action
  • Michigan Environmental Council
  • Michigan League of Conservation Voters
  • Michigan League for Public Policy
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • PeopleForBikes
  • Rails to Trails Conservancy
  • Sierra Club
  • Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision
  • Strong Towns Detroit
  • Transportation Riders United