2011 AMC logo
Achieving mobility through community appropriate transportation services
Alaska Mobility Coalition E-Newsletter
March 2015

Member Sponsor  
- Ecolaneclick on the image to view their website.
 
In This Issue
Member Links
AMC Membership
Legislative Priorities Update
Fairbanks Transportation Project
Sitka Bus Turnaround/Stop
Alaska Transit in the News

MEMBER LINKS

Updated as of 3/31/2015

 









 




Bristol Bay Native Assoc.












Common Good LLC

 








 


 



Hickey and Associates

 

 Independent Living Center

 

  

 






Manley Village Express




 



 



 




 





  







 


 

 



 Back to top


Feb.2015 People Mover side ad
Member Sponsor 
 
- MOA People Moverclick on the image to view their website.
 
 







top


   The focus of our E-newsletter is to update our membership on statewide transit activities and workplace transportation information.

   Please give us your feedback with your comments about this E-news communication.

 

AMC MEMBERSHIP

 

Welcome to the renewing members during March.

 

  Renewing Members

Jody Karcz
Scott Banks
Rex Knowlton
David Levy

 

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

 

   
   Thank you to all of the AMC members who joined up or renewed in 2014. Your support of public and community transportation is greatly appreciated. 

   Our 2015 membership drive is underway and your support is needed and greatly appreciated.  There are public and community transportation challenges in state, in Juneau and in Washington DC. Your membership gives us the ability to advocate across the state and around the country for public transportation in Alaska! Help us to lower our administrative costs by signing up online or you can mail your membership to:
Alaska Mobility Coalition
3705 Arctic Blvd, #1777
Anchorage, AK 99503

 Back to top

COMING EVENTS

          

DATE
EVENT
PLACE/TIME
additional info.
4/7 - 6/5
Census & Population Data for 
Transportation 
Planners
Webinars
4/15
AMC Monthly Board 
Meeting
10:30 AM
Contact
for 
additional info.
4/15
Valdez Coordinated 
Community Transpor-tation Quarterly Mtg.
3-4 PM
4/29
Corridor Planning & 
Application of 
Roundabouts
UAA
Engr. 111
10-1
5/31-6/5
CTAA Transportation 
Expo
Tampa, FL
6/8-6/12
Alaska TTAP Summer 
Transportation 
Institute
Fairbanks
 

AMC NEWS

 

Alaska Capital Building

 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES UPDATE

 

 
   Over the weekend, the Alaska State Senate passed a FY 2016 budget. Alaska's economic challenges have significantly reduced the capital budget this year. Despite these challenges, the state match for public and community transportation is still in the budget with a 25 percent reduction from $1 million to $750,000. Thanks to all the AMC members who called in from around the state in support of the state match. It is going over to the state house this week for review and approval and should be signed by Governor Walker by the end of the month.

   Also, the AHTA coordinated transportation match was fully funded by the state senate. See pages 6 and 7 of the senate budget.

   Support for the State Match for Public Transportation - Once again, the AMC is asking for the legislature's support for the state match program. The program has generated $5 million in state funds over the last four years. The funding has been used to match federal, other state, local and private funds to buy equipment, hire drivers and expand routes to support Alaskans getting to work, school and medical appointments.  I have attached a copy of the FY15 state match distribution for your review. 

   Alaska Transportation Infrastructure Fund - According to the National Council of State Legislatures, Alaska is the only state in the union that does not have a dedicated transportation trust fund. That means that all of our gas taxes, DMV fees and other transportation revenue goes into the general fund. In the meantime, Alaska continues to lag in replacing much needed transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ferries, airports and public transportation. The Alaska Mobility Coalition (AMC) is working with transportation advocates to create a statewide transportation fund for Alaska. We are pleased to be working with former State Representative Peggy Wilson on this project and are working to identify a legislator who will re-introduce her bill during the upcoming session. In the meantime, the AMC is looking for funding to put together a statewide awareness campaign, if you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact Doug Bridges (AMC President).  I have linked an overview of Representative Wilson's proposal for your review.

 Back to top

 

FAIRBANKS TRANSPORTATION PROJECT
 

 

   I made a trip to Fairbanks at the end of March to meet with Fairbanks Transportation Project Group (FTPG) members to discuss some project activities.  High on the list was the VISTA Volunteer position.  Efforts continue to move forward with our work to hire a VISTA Volunteer.  During the month of March the members of the steering committee met with me several times to discuss various aspects of the VISTA Volunteer hiring process.  We worked to finalize the job description and provided the necessary information for the national job posting.  If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please follow the directions at the link above.


   With the current efforts we think a VISTA Volunteer will be in place June 1st to assist with project efforts and help further facilitate the involvement of seniors and people with disabilities.

 

  The ads continue to run on the MACS Transit Buses and UAF shuttles promoting the use of the Fairbanks Transportation website.  Efforts are also underway on the coordinate plan rewrite process.  The statistical information and population data will be updated this month and plans are being formulated for public comment meetings and planning participation opportunities in the future.

 

  The next meeting of the FTPG meeting will be held in June.  The additional details will be available in the next newsletter.

 Back to top

                   

SITKA BUS TURNAROUND/STOP 

 

  The Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) provided over $700,000 out of STA's Tribal Transportation Program (previously known as Indian Reservation Roads) funds for a new bus turnaround/stop. 

  The prior bus stop was located on a road way and was unsafe for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Now this bus turnaround/stop is nicely lighted and is much more safe.  The project was completed in June, 2014. 

  These funds were wholly funded through STA, separate from any transit funding.

  The property is owned by the City & Borough of Sitka.  A negotiated agreement was put in place prior to beginning the construction project.

Article and pictures on the left courtesy of 
Gerry Hope, Sitka Tribal Council.

Back to top

RouteMatch Ad Dec Jan 2015
Member Sponsor  
- RouteMatchclick on the image to view their website.
 

ALASKA TRANSIT IN THE NEWS

Actual article headings are used and the information contained in the articles is not necessarily the opinions of the AMC 

                   

GRANT AWARDS 

   US Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces $500 Million in Seventh Round of Tiger Funding.  Read more...

 

   Public Transit & Human Services Transit Recommended Funding for SFY 2016.  Read more...

 

   "Berkowitz headed for top position in runoff; Demboski takes second place

 - Alaska Dispatch News 

 Back to top

ATT square edge - use Feb. news - out March
Member Sponsor  
- AT&Tclick on the image to view their link.
 

                   

   Thank you for your support and interest in the Alaska Mobility Coalition (AMC).  If you have questions about this report or any AMC project or activity, please contact me.

 

Sincerely,

 

Casey Anderson, Interim Executive Director
Alaska Mobility Coalition

 Back to top