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With successful unlimited ride pass programs in place, an increasing number of contracting partners in neighboring communities and a riding public reacting to the sting of high gas prices, ridership has increased by more than 25.9 percent since 2000. Paratransit ridership has increased by 12.1 percent in that same time period.

Coinciding with this success, Metro has also found itself hit with the rise of fuel costs as well as a decrease in state operational funding. In 2008, Metro will receive about 34 percent of its operating expenses funded by the state compared to 42 percent about 10 years ago. As a result, the city of Madison's share of transit funding increased 35 percent between 2003 and 2007, more than any other increase for other city departments.

With Wisconsin transit systems being typically property-tax funded, Metro Transit is an example of the shortfall of this revenue source. It is no longer able to support the community investments needed to sustain the growing popularity of mass transit now and into the future.

In 2006, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz appointed a long-range planning committee to explore ways to sustain the growth and success of Metro's transit system in ways other than fare increases, service cuts and increases in property-tax support.

One of the top preliminary recommendations by this long-range committee is the formation of a regional transit authority (RTA).

At this time,...

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