Post by Transit Coalition on Apr 20, 2011 12:45:49 GMT -8
Invest in Transit: Our Future Rides On It
Invest in Transit is a statewide movement to make public transportation in California fast, frequent and affordable. TransForm launched the Invest in Transit campaign in response to crippling funding shortfalls, state funding cuts, and the recognition that the future of our economy, environment and quality of life depend to a great degree on whether we invest sufficiently in transit now.
California Transit Systems Have Lost Billions
Billions of dollars intended for California’s transit systems have been redirected over the past decade. Public transportation received less than 1 of 5 state dollars it should have between 2004 and 2008. All metropolitan regions in the state have been negatively impacted, with massive service cuts, fare increases, and billions of dollars in deferred maintenance.
World-Class Transit is Essential for a Successful, Sustainable Future
Public transportation is going to be essential to many of California’s goals in the 21st century:
• Our economy. California is projected to grow by a whopping 20 million people by 2050. Without good transit, regions will be crippled by congestion and productivity will plummet due to poor access to labor and resources.
• Our environment. Transportation (mostly passenger vehicles) is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California, which means we can't fight climate change without making it possible for more people to drive less. And we'll all breathe cleaner air with fewer cars on the road.
• Our quality of life. Effective public transportation is good for everyone, no matter the age or income. It's how seniors and people with disabilities live independently. It’s how families save money and commuters avoid the stress of sitting in traffic. It’s the cornerstone of vibrant, walkable communities.
Our State Leaders Can Turn Things Around
If our state leaders take action in two ways, they can get California back on track with building and maintaining robust, efficient transit throughout the state:
• Protect state funding for transit from being taken for other uses, plus set funding at levels that ensures transit meets the needs of our rapidly growing and aging population.
• Give local and regional entities more authority to establish and manage their own additional funding sources for public transportation.
Together, we'll show state leaders in Sacramento that a critical mass of Californians want to invest in transit. Learn more and sign the petition today at www.InvestInTransit.org.
Please contact us with any questions. Thank you!
Graham Brownstein, State Policy Director – ext 302 / gbrownstein@transformca.org
Ahmad Chapman, State Transportation Organizer – ext 301 / achapman@transformca.org
Our future rides on it.
Invest in Transit is a project of TransForm, an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to creating world-class public transportation and walkable communities in the Bay Area and all of California
Invest in Transit is a statewide movement to make public transportation in California fast, frequent and affordable. TransForm launched the Invest in Transit campaign in response to crippling funding shortfalls, state funding cuts, and the recognition that the future of our economy, environment and quality of life depend to a great degree on whether we invest sufficiently in transit now.
California Transit Systems Have Lost Billions
Billions of dollars intended for California’s transit systems have been redirected over the past decade. Public transportation received less than 1 of 5 state dollars it should have between 2004 and 2008. All metropolitan regions in the state have been negatively impacted, with massive service cuts, fare increases, and billions of dollars in deferred maintenance.
World-Class Transit is Essential for a Successful, Sustainable Future
Public transportation is going to be essential to many of California’s goals in the 21st century:
• Our economy. California is projected to grow by a whopping 20 million people by 2050. Without good transit, regions will be crippled by congestion and productivity will plummet due to poor access to labor and resources.
• Our environment. Transportation (mostly passenger vehicles) is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California, which means we can't fight climate change without making it possible for more people to drive less. And we'll all breathe cleaner air with fewer cars on the road.
• Our quality of life. Effective public transportation is good for everyone, no matter the age or income. It's how seniors and people with disabilities live independently. It’s how families save money and commuters avoid the stress of sitting in traffic. It’s the cornerstone of vibrant, walkable communities.
Our State Leaders Can Turn Things Around
If our state leaders take action in two ways, they can get California back on track with building and maintaining robust, efficient transit throughout the state:
• Protect state funding for transit from being taken for other uses, plus set funding at levels that ensures transit meets the needs of our rapidly growing and aging population.
• Give local and regional entities more authority to establish and manage their own additional funding sources for public transportation.
Together, we'll show state leaders in Sacramento that a critical mass of Californians want to invest in transit. Learn more and sign the petition today at www.InvestInTransit.org.
Please contact us with any questions. Thank you!
Graham Brownstein, State Policy Director – ext 302 / gbrownstein@transformca.org
Ahmad Chapman, State Transportation Organizer – ext 301 / achapman@transformca.org
Our future rides on it.
Invest in Transit is a project of TransForm, an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to creating world-class public transportation and walkable communities in the Bay Area and all of California