Making enhanced transit a faster reality
- August 4, 2020
- Posted by: Joe Milazzo II
- Category: Blog
This week we had an outstanding, virtual RTA Transportation Breakfast.
The one hour virtual event included brief presentations on two RTA-led studies, and an executive discussion on making enhanced transit a reality.
I found the presentations by the consultant experts VHB, Stantec, Catalyst Design, HDR (all RTA members) to be terrific. I also enjoyed the thoughts from several of our volunteer leaders, including:
- Maeve Gardner, GlaxoSmithKline. 2020 RTA chair
- Jay Irby, First Citizens Bank, RTA regional transit chair
- Pete Marino, Smith Anderson law firm, RTA freeways chair
- Julia Wright, Dominion Energy, RTA policy chair
- Scott Levitan, Research Triangle Foundation of NC
You can listen to the recording and view the presentations on the RTA breakfast page; you can also download the preliminary findings report for the FAST study. We received positive media coverage here.
From the conversation, our members and partners all realize that we have an opportunity to re-envision our freeways and streets, in both a transformative and scalable fashion, through a focused push on creating a FAST network. In addition, while we recognize the legitimate concerns of our transit partners surrounding capacity, costs, and funding, a scalable zero fare weekends pilot is a real possibility.
As we noted in last week’s blog, there is no “instruction manual” when it comes to the realm of public policy, infrastructure, and American democracy.
The pandemic has changed a lot. However, it has not changed our enthusiasm, focus, or commitment to making this region better. We appreciate your membership and support for an even more mobile future.
Let’s get moving,
Joe
Joe Milazzo II, PE
RTA Executive Director
RTA is the voice of the regional business community on transportation
