QUOTE
RBA could expand to three counties
TRANSPORTATION: LaPorte mayor pushes move for better buses
BY KEITH BENMAN
kbenman@nwitimes.com
219.933.3326
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Thursday, December 21, 2006 1:04 AM CST
Some top elected officials in LaPorte County would like to see their county become part of the Regional Bus Authority as a way of improving bus service.
"No. 1, it would allow us to expand bus service to serve all of LaPorte County rather than just the two cities as islands," LaPorte Mayor Leigh Morris said. "And, No. 2, we would be able to maintain what we have."
Michigan City has fixed-route scheduled bus service, whereas the city of LaPorte has demand-response service, where people call ahead for rides. Otherwise, the county is bereft of bus service, Morris said.
Joining the RBA would take amending of the bus authority's enabling legislation in the Indiana General Assembly. Currently it only includes Lake and Porter counties.
Beyond that, no other action may be needed, Morris said.
That would allow public officials in LaPorte County to avoid the controversy that erupted when it was proposed the county join the Regional Development Authority, Morris said. Morris and Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie supported that move, but it was voted down by the County Council and Michigan City Council.
A major stumbling block for both bodies was the $3.5 million in annual dues required by the RDA.
Morris said Oberlie also endorses legislative changes to make LaPorte County an RBA member. The two are now looking for a state legislator to sponsor the amendment.
Morris spoke Wednesday night, immediately after the RBA's board voted to accept a strategic and operations plan from TranSystems Corp. that lays out a road map for expanded bus service in Lake and Porter counties.
The RBA will not vote on specific proposals for expanding service, including how it would be managed, until February. The plan could approximately double bus service in the two counties. It would require between $9.8 million and $13.7 million in new regional funding.
Last week, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission and the Northwest Indiana Forum both endorsed resolutions supporting the RBA's quest for funding. The Good Government Initiative's transportation committee also approved those resolutions, according to RBA President Dennis Rittenmeyer.
TRANSPORTATION: LaPorte mayor pushes move for better buses
BY KEITH BENMAN
kbenman@nwitimes.com
219.933.3326
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Thursday, December 21, 2006 1:04 AM CST
Some top elected officials in LaPorte County would like to see their county become part of the Regional Bus Authority as a way of improving bus service.
"No. 1, it would allow us to expand bus service to serve all of LaPorte County rather than just the two cities as islands," LaPorte Mayor Leigh Morris said. "And, No. 2, we would be able to maintain what we have."
Michigan City has fixed-route scheduled bus service, whereas the city of LaPorte has demand-response service, where people call ahead for rides. Otherwise, the county is bereft of bus service, Morris said.
Joining the RBA would take amending of the bus authority's enabling legislation in the Indiana General Assembly. Currently it only includes Lake and Porter counties.
Beyond that, no other action may be needed, Morris said.
That would allow public officials in LaPorte County to avoid the controversy that erupted when it was proposed the county join the Regional Development Authority, Morris said. Morris and Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie supported that move, but it was voted down by the County Council and Michigan City Council.
A major stumbling block for both bodies was the $3.5 million in annual dues required by the RDA.
Morris said Oberlie also endorses legislative changes to make LaPorte County an RBA member. The two are now looking for a state legislator to sponsor the amendment.
Morris spoke Wednesday night, immediately after the RBA's board voted to accept a strategic and operations plan from TranSystems Corp. that lays out a road map for expanded bus service in Lake and Porter counties.
The RBA will not vote on specific proposals for expanding service, including how it would be managed, until February. The plan could approximately double bus service in the two counties. It would require between $9.8 million and $13.7 million in new regional funding.
Last week, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission and the Northwest Indiana Forum both endorsed resolutions supporting the RBA's quest for funding. The Good Government Initiative's transportation committee also approved those resolutions, according to RBA President Dennis Rittenmeyer.