West Allis is going greener on the transportation front, as community members now have a chance to enroll in the Community Transportation Academy, a fresh initiative by 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, aimed at providing insight into local transportation structures and how they affect daily life. The academy, which is completely free of charge, spreads out over a nine-week course that will take place starting April 2 through May 28, with classes held every Wednesday from 4-6 p.m.

Interested locals can expect to dive into the nuances of transportation design, covering the interplay between streets, sidewalks, and transit systems, with a stern focus on crafting a link between the public's understanding and those who shape policy, it's not simply about discussions but also about equipping individuals to be potent advocates for transit reform, both on the pavement and in the halls where decisions are made. In-person sessions will run at designated spots in West Allis with the remaining meetings taking place on the virtual plane via Zoom.

The curriculum of this initiative is designed to be inclusive, with no prerequisites of prior knowledge or experience in transportation policy needed, making it open to anyone in the community with an interest to learn and a voice to contribute. As stated on the West Allis official website, "The West Allis Transportation Academy is a free 9-week course (Wednesdays, from 4-6 p.m. April 2 through May 28) open to anyone who wants to connect the dots between how our streets, sidewalks, and transit systems are designed and the impact on our everyday lives."