Many who know me know I grew up just outside of Toronto. For most of my childhood and young adult life I thought nothing of jumping on the train to go to the "big city."
First it was by "steam locomotive" – (yes I’m that old) and later using light rail. Trains, buses, streetcars (some electric like the ones now in Kenosha) were how we got around. It was easy. It was fun. It was cheap! Yeah, the train stopped a lot and we had to transfer on occasion but we played "count the cars" or find the "VW bug" at every stop.
Times have changed dramatically. To be honest I never really understood why mass transit never was adopted in U.S. cities.
After living here a while (it’s been 25 years plus) I came to realize the main reason was how sacred Americans valued their personal freedom – a right not lightly taken. Certainly, a great reason was $1.00 a gallon for gas and very practical too. Enter 2006 and the rules have changed dramatically with the advent of $2.50 – $3.00 / gallon for gasoline!
Mass transit like the KRM (the proposed Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail) may now be more acceptable from an economic standpoint. I think it’s time may have come, but the public appetite for such public transportation systems may yet impose on one’s personal freedom.
From a hard nosed business perspective there are many reasons to support KRM. Job creation, economic development, increased tourism dollars and some relief on our increasingly congested freeways.
Change is hard for many but the pocketbook oftentimes speaks loudly regarding personal transportation decisions. As for me, if it passes all the political hurdles I’ll be one of the first to ride it on a regular basis. A lazy summer evening trip to Summerfest or a business trip to Chicago – I can’t wait!
It will be cool to hear the "clickety clack" sound on the tracks and feel the swaying motion of the cars again. Maybe someday I’ll even play "find the VW bug" with my grandkids!
Gary Billington is the vice president of client relations at Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP in Milwaukee.
