The demonstration came in response to a series of Congressional “Field Hearings” on the next Federal Transportation Act with virtually no public participation. The public has again been shut out of talks on how billions of tax dollars should be spent on transit systems across the country.

ATU Local 241 President Darrell Jefferson spoke to the impact that transit cuts have had on his local. In February 2010, nearly 1100 of his Local’s members were laid off. Those positions have not been replaced.

ATU Local 241 and 308 members march against transit job cuts.

LVEJO Climate Justice Organizer Mike Pitula reminded the crowd, “Public transit is the solution that can create jobs and reduce our impact on our air and the atmosphere.” LVEJO has been fighting to reestablish CTA bus service along the 31st Street Corridor. 31st Street buses were a casualty of the late 1990s cut in federal transit operations support.

Environmental organizers.

“Our organization fights to clean up Chicago’s Fisk and Crawford coal-fired power plants,” explained PERRO organizer Jerry Mead-Lucero, “But we also recognize the effect of emissions from automobiles” Transportation emissions are the fastest growing source of emissions in the US.

Marcellus Barnes of ATU International spoke to the dimensions of the national crisis and the need to struggle for greater funding. Rank and file ATU members brought the situation home, talking about how the layoffs have hit them hard.  Ricky, a laid-off CTA mechanic told of having to file Chapter 7 and losing his home since losing his job last year.

Currently, 90% of transit agencies in the U.S. are raising fares and cutting transit service.  “We call on Congress to enact dedicated transit operations support. This will create 1000s of transit jobs, add service to work and clean our air,” said Charles Lester of the ATU. The transit riders also call on Chicago’s next Mayor and City Council to aggressively support transit operations, not just capital for aging infrastructure.  “Chicago is choked by massive traffic, air pollution, and carbon footprint, but transit operations funding could improve service, create jobs, and clean our air at the same time,” said Mike Pitula, of the Transit Riders for Public Transportation campaign.

...and expand service to transit dependent riders in communities of color!

U.S. Representative John Mica, Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Senator Barbara Boxer Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee are conducting nationwide hearings to set priorities for the upcoming $556 billion federal surface transportation act.  However, the hearing is not accessible by transit and public comment is not allowed. Last year cities across the US suffered drastic transit cuts.  In 2010, CTA fired 1000 transit workers cut bus service nearly 20%. On Monday, this was followed by the rollback of Seniors Ride Free. Other examples are the elimination of 66 of 133 bus lines in Atlanta, and 34 bus lines eliminated in New York City. In 2009, over 97,000 transit workers lost their jobs because of cuts in bus and train service throughout the country and the numbers for 2010 are projected to be much higher!

Rider Driver Unity!

Chicago and the nation face major transit challenges, but research shows that transit is a smart investment. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act “stimulus” created twice as many transit jobs per $1 million as it created in highway construction. Investment in transit operations creates 72% more jobs than transit capital.  Transit saves commuters money and would reduce costs from Chicago’s massive traffic congestion and air pollution. Texas Transportation Institute ranked the Chicago region No. 1 in road congestion in the U.S for 2009, even though it has only the 3^rd most people of any US city. Transit is a smart investment for Chicago’s commuters that would solve many problems at once.

Women for Transit Operations!

More:

Transit Riders for Public Transportation

Officials make their case for transit

Road Interests Crowd Reauthorization Panels in Indiana and Chicago

¡Tod@s Unid@s por el transporte publico!