In today's edition of Purple Line NOW News, here's what you'll find:

• What's Happening at PLN?
  • Happy Holidays!
  • Halfway to Our Goal!
  • A Message from PLN Board President, Ralph Bennett
• Happening Along the Purple Line Corridor
  • Old Train Routes to New Trail Networks
  • Please Share With Your Baltimore Friends
  • A Whole New Metro Network -- In Paris
• Construction Updates and Project Features
  • Transportation Budget Deficit
  • Photos from Around the Corridor

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Please feel free to share this newsletter - no permission from us needed! You can always find a link to our newsletter on our Purple Line NOW website which makes it easy to share with your friends, neighbors, constituents, customers, and employees.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN?

Happy Holidays!

From all of us here at Purple Line NOW, we wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday! Thank you for all of your support, cheerleading, and advocacy throughout the year. This is the final newsletter for 2023, but rest assured, we'll be back in the new year with our Top Ten list, so stay tuned!

Halfway to Our Goal!

As of this morning, we are thrilled to announce we are halfway to our goal of reaching $6,000 in donations before the end of the year!

But, there are only a few weeks left in our matching campaign. We know this is a busy time of year for everyone, but donations given to Purple Line NOW through the end of the year will be matched (dollar for dollar!) until we reach our goal of $6,000! That is a steep goal for us, but it is not only necessary in order for us to close the gap in our budget, but we are confident that with your help, we can meet it!

Continuing this newsletter, our forum series, and our advocacy work is how we use every dollar raised. No matter the size of your donation, your support will have double the impact today!

Thank you to those who have given since we kicked off our campaign a few weeks ago -- your donations have been matched and you are now listed on our website! Not sure if you have given in the past twelve months? You can see all of our donors on our website to be sure. If you do not see your name here, we hope you might consider a donation to Purple Line NOW. Every single penny we raise goes to continuing our mission.

Many of you know us well and have been thoughtful and generous donors throughout our journey toward riding the Purple Line. We have also had lots of new folks join us as construction has ramped up and visual signs of progress abound. 

In case you missed our previous newsletter, would like to share a few words from our Board President, Ralph Bennett, about why we are asking and why it is so critical that Purple Line NOW continues our work.

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you to highlight our low bank balance and the urgent need to raise funds to continue our important work. As you know, Purple Line NOW rarely holds special event fundraising, instead we rely on our donors and supporters to come through for us to assist when our financial needs outweigh our revenue.

At our recent quarterly board meeting, our Treasurer reported that our current bank balance is dangerously low and that we are at risk of being unable to continue working with the public to broaden our advocacy efforts and achieve our goals. We cannot afford to let this happen.

That is why I am asking for your help. Every donation, no matter the size, will help us continue our outreach to the community via our widely read bi-weekly newsletter, advocate for issues facing the Purple Line and beyond at the local, state, and federal levels, and continue hosting the very popular community webinars on a regular basis where we bring experts and industry leaders together to discuss all things Purple Line along the corridor.

If you or your organization have not donated in the past year, I ask you to consider a donation to Purple Line NOW at this time. All donors are listed on our website for a year following their donation. A very generous anonymous donor has offered to match all donations during this campaign, beginning today through the end of the year, or until our goal of $6,000 is reached, so your help will count twice as much this holiday season!

Your support will make a real difference in our efforts to close the significant gap in our budget and ensure our work continues until opening day of service.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Ralph Bennett, President
Purple Line NOW

Thank you from all of us here at Purple Line NOW!

HAPPENING ALONG THE PURPLE LINE CORRIDOR

Old Train Routes to New Trail Networks

Michael Laris interviews Ryan Chao of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in the Washington Post. In the article, the Purple Line is cited as an example of how conservation efforts can be a two-way track. When completed, the Bethesda-to-Silver Spring portion of the trail will have both the light rail line and the trail traveling on paved and separated right-of-ways (with the exception of the Wisconsin avenue crossing, where the trail tunnel option is still seeking a funding source). (Laris, M. (2023, November 27). Old train routes are getting recycled into new trail networks. Washington Post.)

Please Share With Your Baltimore Friends

On behalf of the Baltimore City House Delegation’s Transportation Subcommittee, Delegate Robbyn Lewis invites you to the City for All Forum on January 27, 2024. Let’s envision a transportation future that is healthy, accessible, reliable, sustainable and equitable for all! This first-of-its kind public event is open to all residents of Baltimore city and metro region. The vibe will be positive, respectful, forward-looking, optimistic and open-hearted. Participants can join in-person or virtually.

Pre-registration is required. Click here to sign up and share your vision!

DATE: Saturday 27 January 2024
TIME: 11am – 2pm
VENUE: Morgan State University, Earl G. Graves School of Business Auditorium, Rm. 104
ADDRESS: 4100 Hillen Road, Baltimore, MD 21218

We all want a transportation network that delivers fast and reliable access to jobs, school, health care and recreation for all, regardless of age, race, income or physical ability. We can have this! Learn about planned improvements, like the Frederick Douglass Passenger Rail Tunnel and Mondawmin Transit Hub Upgrades. And lend your voice to make even more projects possible - join us!

A Whole New Metro Network -- In Paris

A reader sent this article in to us, saying, "I'm sure you will enjoy this news story from Paris where the Grand Paris Express 'joins' the Purple Line as a rare example of circumferential rail in the suburbs." We are happy to see Paris catching up with us! (Xu, X. (2023, December 5). Paris is getting a whole new Metro network. And it’s huge. CNN Travel.)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & PROJECT FEATURES

Transportation Budget Deficit

You may have seen the news regarding Gov. Moore's announcement regarding cuts to make up for a deficit in the transportation budget. This does not have immediate implications for Purple Line construction, but finding a sustainable funding approach is critical for the larger health of transit in our state and larger Metro funding challenges. The next meeting of the commission is today at 1 pm to 4 pm. The agenda, slides, and video of for past meetings are available on the commission website.

Photos from Around the Corridor

Photo Courtesy of MDOT MTA

Photo Courtesy of MDOT MTA

Photo Courtesy of MDOT MTA

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