community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
Save Our Transit Rally
by marie
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 at 1:47 PM
On November 16, 40 bus and trolley riders from southwest Pennsylvania gathered for a lunchtime “Public Transportation Appreciation Rally” at the Pennsylvania State Office Building downtown. Public transit riders expressed their appreciation for the system that they rely on, and how it affects their everyday lives, sending the message to Harrisburg that public transportation is a necessity, not an option, for thousands of people everyday. Speakers at the rally also called for just wages and health care benefits for every public transit worker in Pennsylvania.
It has been five long and grueling years since this public transportation funding crisis has begun, yet the Pa General Assembly has still done absolutely nothing to provide the dedicated, predictable, reliable, and growing source of funding that public transportation systems across the state require. Save Our Transit (SOT) wants to send a message to these state lawmakers that this funding crisis and all that comes with it is the direct result of their failure to establish the necessary funding. The Philly public transit workers strike, an impending public transit strike here in Pittsburgh (at the time of this writing), and the Port Authority Board’s contemplation of more service cuts and fare increases are the result and the reality of lazy lawmakers in Harrisburg.
“We are disgusted by the lack of action on the part of key decision-makers in Harrisburg,” says SOT co-founder Stephen Donahue. “It is their responsibility and job to ensure that adequate and growing funding is provided so that current services can be maintained. They are watching while our public transit system is on its’ way to being non-existent, and I find that sickening.”
Also a concern for these riders is the reality of a possible public transit strike here in Pittsburgh. SOT maintains, however, that the public transportation budget should not be balanced on the backs of the riders or the workers. “Save Our Transit does not place blame on the Port Authority, nor do we place blame on the Amalgamated Transportation Union Local-85 for this funding crisis,” says Amanda Zeiders, Co-Chair of SOT. “We place blame on the lawmakers in Harrisburg, and hold them responsible for the current depletion of the public transit system.”
Rally speakers included: Former President of Allegheny County Transit Council Richard LeGrand (of the Hill House), Former Executive Director of the Thomas Merton Center Tim Vining (and SOT member), SOT member Karen Warman, Gabe Morgan of SEIU Local 3, SOT member Eugene Mariani, SOT Co-founder Stephen Donahue, President of HERE Local 57 Ed Nassan, Joni Rabinowitz of Just Harvest, and SOT member Marjorie DeAngelis.
For more information or to get involved with SOT, call Amanda Zeiders at 412-361-3022 or e-mail zeidersamanda@gmail.com
rally
by marie
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 at 1:47 PM
rally
by marie
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 at 1:47 PM
rally
by marie
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 at 1:47 PM
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