The Maine Alliance for Sustainable Transportation (MAST) is a new coalition that is being started up by the League of Young Voters to, in their words, "defend, expand and improve sustainable transportation options for all Mainers, through advocacy, policy initiatives, and public outreach."

MAST will be governed by a steering committee, and include organizations as Coalition Members. Member organizations agree to the following set of principles:

• All people deserve to have affordable, accessible, reliable and sustainable transportation.
  
• A sustainable transportation system advances economic development, a cleaner environment, fiscal accountability, stronger communities, and healthier people.
  
• Financially and environmentally, Mainers can no longer afford the roads-focused transportation policies and infrastructure of the 20th century.
  
• Mainers need a diverse transportation system with several viable modes so they can choose the best one for a particular trip, and so the system is robust to change.
  
• While motor vehicles will continue to play an important role in the coming years, other, more efficient methods of transportation - from human-powered mobility in neighborhoods to high-speed regional railroads - must receive greater consideration and investment.

Coalition member organizations are asked to commit to participation in at least 3 of the following ways annually:

• Volunteer 15 hours staff/volunteer time
  
• Serve on one (1) of MaST’s subcommittees
  
• Testify at a Public Hearing
  
• Send out at least two (2) action alerts
  
• Include information in at least two (2) organization newsletters or mailings
  
• Submit a letter to the editor
  
• Draft or co-sign an op-ed
  
• Post MaST logo with link on your website
  
• Other (with MAST approval)

MAST has asked the Portland Bicycle Commuting Meetup to become a coalition partner. Because we have no formal decision-making process for the group as a whole, I thought I would post this information and ask for feedback on it, before I give an answer. I'm prepared to take on the commitments, although any of you are certainly welcome and encouraged to do some of them as well.

The MAST steering committee has decided that its initial areas of focus will be study and advocacy related to the Maine Sensible Transportation Policy Act and Portland's Peninsula Transit Study.

So, what do you think? Should we join? Questions? Concerns? Post them here!

Lastly, if you know of any other organizations which would be likely Coalition Members, please communicate your recommendation to League staffer Hilary Frenkel, hilary (at) theleague (dot) com.