Annapolis Capital Punishment

If you believe we deserve a top-notch AND regional bus system, read on….CP dedicated nearly 8 working years to improving our transportation by serving as the Annapolis Transportation marketing specialist from 1998 through 2005. (CP continues to be a consultant, trainer and writer on transportation issues.) During this time, gains were made and successes were realized but it became increasingly evident to CP that local leaders had little interest in improving the overall situation and less interest in improving our own bus system--or even overseeing it. Armed with extensive first-hand knowledge and inside information, CP, now employed as a transportation writer and consultant, is well aware of the many shortcomings and inadequacies of Annapolis Transit, most notably in its lack of leadership, management or oversight.
CP has tried to bring this to the attention of local, county and state officials and to encourage them to take a more serious look at what Annapolis Transit does and does not do well, and how to make our bus system better. Unfortunately the Mayor has little interest and with Alderman, it is a mixed bag--despite words of support from some. Our Transportation Board, a Mayoral-appointed volunteer committee, has never done a thing of any value. What is most telling is that most of its member’s terms have expired--a long time ago. One member currently listed passed away two years ago!
Of the twelve members listed, the terms of all but one have expired (including the dead man of course), and that one active member is Chuck Weikel, a local activist who is close to the Mayor and is jockeying for a run for her seat. So, who does oversee Annapolis Transit?
Last year CP quietly sat in the back at a public meeting regarding the potential loss of operating subsidies to Annapolis. While residents and customers ranted and railed at the mismanagement of the Transportation Department. CP kept his mouth shut. There will be a hearing on the closure of the Kent Island route on Monday, July 16 at the DOT offices, 308 Chinquapin Round Rd at 7 p.m.. This meeting was neither scheduled or announced until CP wrote to the Transportation Dep’t asking about such a meeting. And the route is schedule to be cut two weeks after the scheduled meeting! Such meetings are required by law.
CP has also written to the Department, questioning its claim that cutting this route will save $67,000 per year. CP has received no replies, nor to our knowledge have any Alderman, who were cc’d in these emails, received any reply either. As an interesting note, CP, while employed by the City, personally met with then Congressman Cardin’s chief of staff to bring this potential loss of operating funds to his attention and for his support in reversing this proposal--over four years ago! What happened in the meantime? Well, last year was an election year and then Governor Ehrlich--no friend of transit--came to the rescue. But did Annapolis have a plan?? Suddenly Annapolis Transit announces it is joining a coalition of similarly affected bus systems, and has consistently acted as if this was news!. What had it done for the previous four years? Where was the Mayor?
Furthermore, CP has been told by more than one reliable source within County government that Annapolis has refused to sign an MOU with the County that allows the County to give a $150k annual contribution to the City to help run the bus service, which also serves many part of AA County. One of these same sources told CP that many years ago, the County Council stopped this contribution for a while when Annapolis Transit was unable or unwilling to provide information about use of the bus by county residents.
IT’S TIME THAT WE DEMAND A MORE EFFECTIVE, RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT FOR OUR BUS SYSTEM. CP knows and many residents agree, that The Annapolis Department of Transportation is a poorly managed system with an arrogant and uncaring management. WE DESERVE BETTER! It’s time we seriously looked at creating a real Transportation Authority, in concert with the State and County, and bring about real and long-term improvements that will expand and enhance our services into a regional bus system. Which Alderman will lead? Which County Councilman will join? Which Delegate or Senator will help? Will the Mayor, Governor and County Executive step up to the plate? Well, not likely, considering how things went with the joint transportation study that could not even be released until two years after its intended date of completion.