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Transit Advocates of Orange County, launching TransitRiderOC.com, and other news

Submitted by Steven on 12 May, 2009 - 11:45pm
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Still frantically studying (17-hour work days) but wanted to post a few news updates:

  • One of my June projects: launching transitrideroc.com. The link works at the moment, but just redirects to my website.
  • I'm trying to get in touch with CALPIRG at UC Irvine (thanks to UCI journalism student Elaine Wong who relies on line 79). Elaine says that CALPIRG will be running a campaign to stop the bus cuts.
  • I'll be at the May 22, 2009, 9:00am public hearing at OCTA Headquarters.

I also found an important message in my mailbox from the Transit Advocates of Orange County. I'm posting it here since they don't have a website up (yet, at least!). Give it a read.

 

 

      (714) 607-0012                 

 

OCTA To Cut Bus Service 36% in 2009 / 2010!

 OCTA will be cutting bus service by 36% over this year and next due to lower sales tax revenues and the recent elimination of California state funding of bus transit operations - just when ridership is surging and our economy and concern for the environment are causing Americans to rely on public transit more than ever. Transit agencies across the country are slashing service, too. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1.      Spread the word to bus / Access riders and supporters – have them sign up for our alerts

2.      Attend the May 22 OCTA public hearing and June 8 board of directors vote

3.      Most important: Urge your Legislators to restore transit funding

 

OCTA BOARD Of DIRECTORS MEETING - PUBLIC HEARING

If you can only attend one meeting – this one is the most important:

· Friday, May 22, 2009 – 9 am, at OCTA Headquarters, 1st Floor, Rm. 154, 600 S. Main St., Orange

 

OCTA BOARD Of DIRECTORS MEETING -  VOTE

· Monday June 8, 2009 – 9 am OCTA Headquarters

 

OCTA COMMUNITY MEETINGS

If possible, attend one of the following community meetings:

· Tuesday, May 12, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

Anaheim City Hall East, City Council Chambers, 1st Floor, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805

· Wednesday, May 13, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

OCTA Headquarters, 1st Floor, Room 154, 600 S. Main St, Orange, CA 92863

· Thursday, May 14, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Laguna Hills Community Ctr, Heritage Room, 25555 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

 

To comment by phone: OCTA Customer Relations at (714) 636-RIDE, ext. 2, or (800) 636-RIDE, ext. 2.

To comment online: www.octa.net/servicefeedback

 

CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS

 

The only way to stop the cuts is to restore transit funding! Most legislators are not familiar with the huge, disproportionate impact they had on transit when they voted to eliminate state transit operations funds to pass the budget. Let them know how the cuts will affect you and ask them to restore funding.

This is the most important thing you can do!

 

Speaking points: 

  • Bus riders are taking a disproportional hit; bus service is being reduced by almost 40% !
  • Bus service is lifeline transportation service for people with no alternatives - riders will lose their jobs and their health care
  • We HAVE bus capital funding, but we need bus OPERATIONS funding
  • Ask them to explore options to restore operations funding or make capital funding flexible on a temporary emergency basis

If you’re not sure who your State legislators are:

            Call the Registrar of Voters - OC: 714.567.7600

            or enter your zip code at: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

 

PROPOSED SEPTEMBER 2009 SERVICE CUTS

http://www.octa.net/proposedservicechanges.aspx

      Remember, there will be more cuts this June, and also Dec., March and next June)

 

WE CAN USE YOUR HELP!

 

Would you like to meet after the May 22 public hearing?

Do you have an hour to call bus riders who don’t have e-mail and keep them informed?

Can you translate our materials into Spanish?