Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Streetsblog Capitol Hill » Communities Urge Congress: “Don’t X Out Transit”

Yesterday's "Don't X Out Transit" rally in Los Angeles. Photo: Crystal McMillan / Bus Riders Union
Streetsblog Capitol Hill » Communities Urge Congress: “Don’t X Out Transit”: "A 30 percent cut in federal funding would mean that we would have to cut up to five of our 17 community routes. Our funding situation is already so precarious that our “neighborhood” routes only run four or five trips a day, Monday through Friday, so any further cutbacks would mean elimination of all service on these routes.

- Centre Area Transportation Authority, State College, PA"

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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

MARCH AND RALLY TO SAVE TRANSIT


SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH 12-2 PM
GATHER AT NOON AT MELLON PARK (5TH AND PENN AVE)
MARCH DOWN PENN AT 12:30,
RALLY AT EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH UNTIL 2

Join Pittsburghers for Public Transit and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 to demand:
  • that Public transit face no more cuts!
  • that transit service in Allegheny County be restored to pre-March 27th levels!
  • that public transit be expanded and improved!
  • that our public transit NOT be privatized: keep public transit public!
  • that transit be permanently and reliably funded!
  • that our transit workers and their union be defended!
Six months ago, Pittsburgh suffered a 15 percent cut to it's transit service. More than 12,000 people around the county lost their service, dozens of routes have been eliminated entirely, and more than 180 unionized transit workers lost good, family-sustaining jobs. This cut was due to a funding crisis which stems directly from the ongoing economic collapse, bank and corporate bailouts, wars and occupations abroad, and the total unwillingness of politicians from both major parties to levy taxes on the rich.

Nothing has changed since March. The Federal, Pennsylvania, and local governments are all facing budget shortfalls, and the 'leadership' of these bodies wants to present the bill for this crisis (which was caused by the rich and the bosses) to working people in the form of service cuts, fare hikes, and layoffs. The possibility of even more severe cuts in the near future remains very real.

Nearly 600 people joined us in Squirrel Hill to demonstrate against the cuts last March. We need YOU to join us on September 24th to send a message: we will tolerate no more cuts to our public transit!

Sponsored by: Pittsburghers for Public Transit, ATU Local 85, Western PA We Are One Coalition

www.pittsburghersforpublictransit.org

Questions? Want to help?
SavePghTransit@gmail.com

Friday, September 9, 2011

According to the oil-trolls and #climate delayers - climate change is not happening


Matt Rourke / AP Photo
The remnants of Tropical Storm Lee dumped enough rain on the Northeast Thursday to bring flooding and mudslides to the Philadelphia area, and officials said three people in central Pennsylvania had died as a result of the storm.

DailyBeast

Public transit pays off - Lebanon Daily News

Public transit pays off - Lebanon Daily News: "By taking the bus, Heilman said, people will realize it is a comfortable and stress-free way to ride.

"I think many of them will be surprised at the convenience bus service offers; the freedom from the daily commute headaches; and the amenities offered on many bus lines today, including free WiFi," she said.

To alleviate the worry of being stranded at work and unable to get home in case of an emergency, Commuter Services offers a free emergency transportation service that will pick up a commuter at work and drive them home, Heilman said. Riding public transit can also save money, Heilman said. She urged commuters to log onto PaCommuterServices.com and visit the Commuter Calculator page to tabulate potential savings."

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