Transitioning Away from Suburbs

This recent article in the New York Times offers an interesting glimpse into the changing landscape of the real estate market. It appears that the US is on course to swing back toward an urban-focused metropolitan area instead of suburbs, as has been the norm for the past 60 years. Today's most expensive housing is located in city centers and inner suburbs where there is easy transit/pedestrian mobility and access to mixed use construction. This trend has no doubt been accelerated by the housing collapse earlier in the decade, and hopefully this rediscovered style of living stays, as it offers less dependence on vehicle ownership and a greater and closer sense of community for residents not hidden behind picket fences.

Helena Public Transit

The public bus service in Helena is known as the Helena Area Transit Service (HATS). It is comprised of fixed routes in Helena and East Helena and also includes curb to curb service for the disabled. I encourage you to support the bus system when possible and use it as a means of exploring the town! Fare is cheap, about a dollar a ride, and the service reaches most areas of town. More information, including bus routes and schedules can be found at the HATS website.

Carbon Nation Film Screening Sunday, December 4

The Carroll College Green Team will be co-sponsoring a screening of the film at 7 p.m. in Simperman Hall 101. The film will be followed by a moderated discussion. A preview can be found here: http://www.carbonnationmovie.com/

Support the Centennial Trail!

Friends of Centennial Trail has released order forms for paver bricks. For a donation, you can leave a message to future trail enthusiasts! A donation of $100 will earn you a 4"x8" brick with up to three lines of text. A donation of $200 will net you a 8"x8" brick with up to six lines of text. All proceeds are tax deductible and directly support the upkeep of Centennial Trail. Further details can be found on the forms, which can be downloaded here.

Transportation for America Conference in Helena

Transportation for America hosted a statewide conference in Helena this past Tuesday, the 15th of November, addressing the logistics, application, and conceptual design of new transit initiatives. The emphasis was primarily on local and state level campaigns, with special detail given to rural efforts such as the North Central Montana Transit. These programs have several benefits, including the improved health and wealth of communities, as well as a safety net for those in need. Here's an interesting fact: there are over 50 groups working with Transportation for America in Montana alone, and our efforts are being watched by other states to set examples for self-sustaining rural transit. For more information on how you can be involved, and a helpful tool kit with talking points and advocacy tips, visit the American Public Health Association.

Hello and Welcome!

Welcome to the S.A.V.E. Foundation's transit issues blog! There are multiple initiatives that are gaining momentum here in Helena and across the state, and they will be open for discussion and sharing here. If you have news that has not been posted, please feel free to email S.A.V.E. at savepolicy@gmail.com.