TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

What is the cost to consumers? I assume that not
providing said information is because it is going to be more than most are able and/or willing to pay. Crushing your constituents with taxes and fees is out of control.

I am a long time Geo Metro driver with my husband operating all electric cars for 10 years. I know poor people in Lewiston who want to work in Portland, but have no way to get there. I volunteer at the Gathering Place in Brunswick where many people need cheap transportation to Lewiston, via bus or train, but it's not available. The public needs regular bus routes between Lewiston and Brunswick so L/A residents have access to the major job source and services in Portland. Maine must reactivate the train line between Auburn and Portland to connect the two major urban areas of the state. Middle class workers will use this line, since it's much pleasanter, more affordable, and lower Carbon impact to ride instead of drive that distance.
I live in Topsham and support Governor Mills participation in the regional planning for greener public transportation in Maine. This plan must incorporate the most recent and best science on climate emissions from transportation. Transportation policy must be fair and inclusive for elderly, poor and handicapped people in Maine. This large group of Maine residents do not have private transportation and many need regular, affordable transport between Lewiston, Brunswick, and Portland to help meet their basic needs for essential services.
I am delighted and thankful that this policy planning includes both Republicans and Democrats, since it will work out compromises of cost, and practicality that will best serve Maine people and have support in the legislature to be enacted.
I am in the process of moving from 14 miles south of Bath to center of Topsham in order to reduce my driving time, climate impact, and costs. I am still able to walk the 1.4 miles to downtown Brunswick, yet will be working for cooperation between Topsham and Brunswick to extend Brunswick's good bus system to Topsham. This is one urban area which is only half connected via public transportation. Traffic congestion is moderate and growing both bypassing Brunswick and from Topsham to Brunswick and could be alleviated with an extended bus system. A regular bus system between Bath and Brunswick is greatly needed, since affordable housing in Brunswick is unavailable and very limited in Bath. Low income people who have no cars cannot get to work or housing between those two cities. The Brunswick Explorer bus has adapted and responded to need to transport students and refugees to and from the old Navy base at Cook's Corner.
Lanes for bicycle traffic should be established between urban areas and along scenic routes, as this can be both affordable transportation, good for people's health and reduce congestion, air pollution, and carbon emissions. Topsham has started this process of making a safe walking/biking path along the bypass connector between Rt 1 in Brunswick and Rt 196. When completed many Topsham residents will be able to walk and bike to the Topsham Fair Mall.
For decades I have wanted a dial in ride sharing system to be created using people's smart phones to schedule shared rides to work. The state and BIW have done this with vans for some of their workers. This concept could be applied to private vehicles with thought given to screening people in the system for criminal records. The state cannot guarantee safety of people using such a system, yet the potential to reduce gas miles driven is huge. Perhaps towns could create a register of screened drivers with insurance who are willing to share rides. Maine can build on our small town culture of looking after one another, and take better care of our isolated elderly and poor residents with such a service. I am part of a volunteer network of drivers with New Mainers who take non English speaking residents of Brunswick to their twice weekly English classes in Topsham. this involves scheduling about 15 drivers with 20 or more residents and setting up phone communication for cancelations. Such transportation is also provided, or connections to the bus systems, for people to attend essential meetings in Portland. BIcycles have also been given to every adult at Brunswick Landing who wants one, and training provided in bike safety and practice biking to the library.
Mostly I would like to see commuters sharing rides to minimize Carbon emissions, reduce traffic congestion and free up parking in urban areas. Thank you for this long needed subcommittee to design sensible transportation systems. Please look at European rail, and other public transport systems for adaptation to Maine's transport needs.

A $0.20 fuel tax to prevent climate change? Are you people out of your mind? Climate change has been a part of this planet longer than people have. Rather than destroying our economy and lowering our standard of living trying to prevent the inevitable let's put our time and energy into preparing for it

This mandate will affect my business. this is how we make ends meets. In the past decade, we have seen gas sales drop drastically as car became more efficient and with the introduction of electric cars. we understand that this is part of the innovation in life. However, which we don't understand, is the Government trying to impose more restrictions and taxes on our industry as if it is waging a war against it. A free economy will always find the best way in the most effective manner on its own. once you start trying to force it one way or another it will cause more harm than good. Please don't pass this mandate and let the free economy do its thing.

This will have a serious negative impact on our industry, including all of our employees and their families. Please do not adopt this policy!

My attached comments address multiple concerns. I believe that costs must be addressed before any jurisdiction can decide whether to join the TCI. Contrary to the statements saying that there has been “extensive” public input to this process I show that the only segment of the public that is even aware of this process has some sort of vested interest in transportation and climate planning. I addressed each of the components of the framework and finally discuss some implementation issues based on my extensive background in cap and trade programs.

Please see attached Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers' comments on TCI's Draft Regional Policy Framework.

this would shut down small business like us , which are the backbone of the comminity