Fewer Bus Shelters On Capitol Square Would Be Travesty

Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Laurie Wermter, member, board of directors Madison Area Bus Advocates

Dear Editor: I just want to warn the bus riders of Madison Metro of an imminent travesty about to occur -- a misguided plan to remove three of the present seven bus shelters on the Capitol Square is almost a fait accompli.

The downtown business association wants the bus shelters to be removed from in front of the Walgreens store, the YWCA and the Wisconsin Historical Museum.

This travesty is occurring despite the dedicated efforts over the last year by bus riders and other concerned citizens to educate the mayor and the City Council about how necessary the bus shelters on the Capitol Square are to Madison Metro users during our area's frequently inclement weather.

This travesty is happening despite instructions from the city's Transit and Parking Commission that none of these shelters should be removed until funds have been provided to replace each of the current seven shelters.

Mayor Dave has apparently abandoned the bus riders of the city regarding this matter. Since the City Council referred the plan several weeks ago to the mayor's office for resolution, there has not been any opportunity for bus riders to contribute to this part of the process.

Instead, Mayor Dave appears willing to allow the downtown council member, in whose district the Capitol Square is located, to determine that only four of the shelters will be replaced because the downtown business association wishes it to be so.

Why, why, why is such parochialism permitted? These bus shelters are used daily by thousands and thousands of bus riders who live all over the city.