Stimulus benefits Green Bay Metro

The Green Bay area will be directly affected by the federal stimulus package, as Green Bay Metro will be receiving federal funds for various upgrades to its public transportation service. Green Bay's public transportation service was allocated $2.9 million after being approved by Gov. Jim Doyle, D-Wis., as part of a larger process that aims to secure the nearly $34.5 million appropriated to the state by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for transit projects throughout Wisconsin. "Investments that make travel safer, easier and more affordable will not only improve our quality of life, they will help get our economy back on track," Doyle said in a press release. "We have the opportunity to make strategic improvements to our infrastructure that will help get people to work and will add lasting value to our economy." Congressman Steve Kagen, who applauded the governor's decision to approve the funds, made it clear these funds would be beneficial to the people of Wisconsin. "I am working hard to bring our tax dollars back home to Wisconsin where they belong," Kagen said in a press release. "The recovery act is doing exactly what we intended it to do ? investing in our communities now. What we need in Wisconsin are jobs, jobs and more jobs and these investments in Green Bay's transit will help strengthen our local economy." Green Bay will be one of the many areas in the state to benefit from federal funding for transit projects. Other cities slated to receive similar funding include Appleton, Clintonville, Waupaca and the Oneida and Menominee Nations. The next step for these cities will be to have the plans for their transit projects certified by U.S. Department of Transportation. The federal government hopes funding projects such as these will stimulate economic development in the respective regions and contribute to an overall economic turnaround. There are already detailed plans on exactly how Green Bay Metro plans to use the $2.9 million. At least $2.7 million of the $2.9 million will be used in a way directly related to service on the street, said Chris Phelps, general manager of Green Bay Metro. A large portion of the funds, approximately $1.4 million, will be used to purchase four brand-new, 35-foot buses. These new buses are intended to replace others that have been in service at Green Bay Metro for at least 28 years, Phelps said. The new buses will run much cleaner than their older counterparts and are able to take on more passengers. This could benefit the local environment as well as Green Bay Metro riders. The other major upgrades to Green Bay Metro's services that will be funded include upgrades to the fare-box system, radio and surveillance equipment and security upgrades. According to Phelps, the upgrades to the fare-box system will allow Green Bay Metro to offer its customers various new methods of payment. New surveillance and radio equipment, which will include a GPS, will keep track of all Green Bay Metro buses en route and better inform riders of when the next bus will be arriving at any particular stop. Phelps said the new technology being used in these upgrades will hopefully make public transportation more convenient for the public. State and transit officials hope these upgrades to the public transportation system will not only make travel around some of Wisconsin's cities easier and more convenient for the public, but will stimulate economic growth by creating new jobs in state and around the country. According to the American Public Transportation Association, the U.S. could create and support at least 1.3 million new jobs throughout the country within the next two years with funding from the federal government for transit projects similar to these in Wisconsin. The DOT also supports federal investment in public transportation projects around the country. According to DOT statistics, every $1.25 billion invested in the country's transportation systems supports approximately 35,000 jobs. Green Bay Metro has seen the number of people using its transit system decline over the past year after experiencing record numbers last year, which have been attributed to the increase in gas prices last summer. Phelps and other Metro workers are hoping these new upgrades will mean a resurgence of support for Green Bay's public transportation system.