Difference between revisions of "User:Djmyung"
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
| − | The Bus Riders Union (BRU) is a civil rights advocate group started in 1992 in Los Angeles, CA. The BRU is a part of the Labor/Community Strategy Center (LCSC), a think tank and advocacy group. The BRU formed in opposition to the policies of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA or MTA). <ref | + | The Bus Riders Union (BRU) is a civil rights advocate group started in 1992 in Los Angeles, CA. The BRU is a part of the Labor/Community Strategy Center (LCSC), a think tank and advocacy group. The BRU formed in opposition to the policies of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA or MTA). <ref name="one33"> |
| − | In 1994, a coalition including the BRU, LSCS, Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed class action civil rights lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for its racist and discriminatory policies. The suit charged that LACMTA used Federal funds in a discriminatory manner, which is prohibited by Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, to bring subways and new buses to typically white suburbs at the expense of immmigrant and minority urban areas. | + | In 1994, a coalition including the BRU, LSCS, Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed class action civil rights lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for its racist and discriminatory policies. The suit charged that LACMTA used Federal funds in a discriminatory manner, which is prohibited by Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, to bring subways and new buses to typically white suburbs at the expense of immmigrant and minority urban areas. <ref name="one33"> |
| − | The matter was settled before the and resulted in the 1996 MTA/BRU Consent Decree Compliance. This 10-year agreement obligated the LACMTA to make the bus system and the transit-dependent a funding priority by several means: | + | The matter was settled before the and resulted in the 1996 MTA/BRU Consent Decree Compliance. This 10-year agreement obligated the LACMTA to make the bus system and the transit-dependent a funding priority by several means: <ref name="one33"> |
* Fare Reduction | * Fare Reduction | ||
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== Accomplishments, Strategies and Goals == | == Accomplishments, Strategies and Goals == | ||
=== Accomplishments === | === Accomplishments === | ||
| − | The BRU claims several results of their campaigns: | + | The BRU claims several results of their campaigns<ref name="one33">: |
* Blocked the elimination of the monthly bus pass and reduced its fares from $49 to $42. | * Blocked the elimination of the monthly bus pass and reduced its fares from $49 to $42. | ||
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=== Campaigns === | === Campaigns === | ||
The BRU claims to represent over 400,000 bus riders in Los Angeles County, the bus drivers, and the transit dependent including minorities, immigrants, students and low income workers. The BRU often cooperates with related civil rights groups to spread awareness, raise funds and bring class action lawsuits such as in the 1994 case against LACMTA. | The BRU claims to represent over 400,000 bus riders in Los Angeles County, the bus drivers, and the transit dependent including minorities, immigrants, students and low income workers. The BRU often cooperates with related civil rights groups to spread awareness, raise funds and bring class action lawsuits such as in the 1994 case against LACMTA. | ||
| − | Finally, the BRU organizes public speaking events and attends rallies, marches,and protests through the Drum and Chant Corps. | + | Finally, the BRU organizes public speaking events and attends rallies, marches,and protests through the Drum and Chant Corps<ref name="one33">. |
===== Stop the Transit Cuts ===== | ===== Stop the Transit Cuts ===== | ||
| − | The BRU works to stop the elimination and reduction of bus service. As of 2011, they campgained to stop the bus cuts of 11 lines and the reduction of 16 others. | + | The BRU works to stop the elimination and reduction of bus service. As of 2011, they campgained to stop the bus cuts of 11 lines and the reduction of 16 others<ref name="one33">. |
===== No Fare Hike ===== | ===== No Fare Hike ===== | ||
| − | In response to public pressure and the 1996 Consent Degree, the LACMTA bus fare was stable for 10 years. The BRU opposed plans for LACMTA's 1997 fare increases proposal that increased a daily pass from $3 to $5. The BRU claims the increases hurt minorities and leads to an increase of automobile users, carbon emissions from the automobile usage and ulitmately climate change and lung disease. The LACTMA admitted that ridersip decreased by 5% within a year after the fare increases. In addition, ridership increased by 41% between 19882-1985 when fares were reduced. | + | In response to public pressure and the 1996 Consent Degree, the LACMTA bus fare was stable for 10 years. The BRU opposed plans for LACMTA's 1997 fare increases proposal that increased a daily pass from $3 to $5. The BRU claims the increases hurt minorities and leads to an increase of automobile users, carbon emissions from the automobile usage and ulitmately climate change and lung disease. The LACTMA admitted that ridersip decreased by 5% within a year after the fare increases. In addition, ridership increased by 41% between 19882-1985 when fares were reduced<ref name="one33">. |
===== Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan for Measure R ===== | ===== Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan for Measure R ===== | ||
| − | The BRU reaches out the city and LACMTA leaders. In the past, the BRU has effectively brought pressure to Mayor Antonio Villagoirosa to support Measure R. After Measure R was passed, the BRU has continued to pressure the MTA to use the funds allocated by Measure R as planned and not redirect funds to highway and rail. The BRU has help rallies with community members speaking about their experiences of transit. Speakers describe the current state of overcrowded and often late work they miss from highly congested areas and the need for LACMTA to provide for minorities and low income workers who have hours outside the parameters of a traditional 9am-5pm job. | + | The BRU reaches out the city and LACMTA leaders. In the past, the BRU has effectively brought pressure to Mayor Antonio Villagoirosa to support Measure R. After Measure R was passed, the BRU has continued to pressure the MTA to use the funds allocated by Measure R as planned and not redirect funds to highway and rail. The BRU has help rallies with community members speaking about their experiences of transit. Speakers describe the current state of overcrowded and often late work they miss from highly congested areas and the need for LACMTA to provide for minorities and low income workers who have hours outside the parameters of a traditional 9am-5pm job<ref name="one33">. |
=== Goals === | === Goals === | ||
| − | The BRU's main goals are to provide transit users equal access with a clean, safe, and affordable user experience. Some of their specific goals include: | + | The BRU's main goals are to provide transit users equal access with a clean, safe, and affordable user experience<ref name="one33">. Some of their specific goals include: |
* $20 Monthly Bus Pass | * $20 Monthly Bus Pass | ||
Revision as of 01:08, 30 January 2014
Bus Riders Union
Introduction
The Bus Riders Union (BRU) is a civil rights advocate group started in 1992 in Los Angeles, CA. The BRU is a part of the Labor/Community Strategy Center (LCSC), a think tank and advocacy group. The BRU formed in opposition to the policies of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA or MTA). <ref name="one33">
In 1994, a coalition including the BRU, LSCS, Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed class action civil rights lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for its racist and discriminatory policies. The suit charged that LACMTA used Federal funds in a discriminatory manner, which is prohibited by Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, to bring subways and new buses to typically white suburbs at the expense of immmigrant and minority urban areas. <ref name="one33">
The matter was settled before the and resulted in the 1996 MTA/BRU Consent Decree Compliance. This 10-year agreement obligated the LACMTA to make the bus system and the transit-dependent a funding priority by several means: <ref name="one33">
- Fare Reduction
- Reduction of bus overcrowding
- New Service lines to major centers of employment, education and healthcare throughout the county
- Establishement of a Joint Working Group (joint BRU and MTA policy making body that oversees the implementation of the Consent Decree)
Accomplishments, Strategies and Goals
Accomplishments
The BRU claims several results of their campaigns<ref name="one33">:
- Blocked the elimination of the monthly bus pass and reduced its fares from $49 to $42.
- Establishment of the first $11 weekly bus pass which resulted in millions of dollar saved for transit users and increased ridership.
- 2,000 new CNG-powered buses, replacing aging deisel-powered buses. Addition of 300 more buses.
- Establishment of Bus Rapid Transit lines on major surface streets. Bus Only Lane on the 20-mile Wilshire Blvd. from downtown to the ocean.
- Over $2.5 Billion of funds redirected to bus systems .
- 1 Million+ Annual Bus Service Hours Added and 12% Increase in Bus Ridership.
- Created 800+ New Public Sector, Green, Union Jobs.
- Eliminated the Student Pass Application Process (increasing its use by 64%).
Campaigns
The BRU claims to represent over 400,000 bus riders in Los Angeles County, the bus drivers, and the transit dependent including minorities, immigrants, students and low income workers. The BRU often cooperates with related civil rights groups to spread awareness, raise funds and bring class action lawsuits such as in the 1994 case against LACMTA. Finally, the BRU organizes public speaking events and attends rallies, marches,and protests through the Drum and Chant Corps<ref name="one33">.
Stop the Transit Cuts
The BRU works to stop the elimination and reduction of bus service. As of 2011, they campgained to stop the bus cuts of 11 lines and the reduction of 16 others<ref name="one33">.
No Fare Hike
In response to public pressure and the 1996 Consent Degree, the LACMTA bus fare was stable for 10 years. The BRU opposed plans for LACMTA's 1997 fare increases proposal that increased a daily pass from $3 to $5. The BRU claims the increases hurt minorities and leads to an increase of automobile users, carbon emissions from the automobile usage and ulitmately climate change and lung disease. The LACTMA admitted that ridersip decreased by 5% within a year after the fare increases. In addition, ridership increased by 41% between 19882-1985 when fares were reduced<ref name="one33">.
Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan for Measure R
The BRU reaches out the city and LACMTA leaders. In the past, the BRU has effectively brought pressure to Mayor Antonio Villagoirosa to support Measure R. After Measure R was passed, the BRU has continued to pressure the MTA to use the funds allocated by Measure R as planned and not redirect funds to highway and rail. The BRU has help rallies with community members speaking about their experiences of transit. Speakers describe the current state of overcrowded and often late work they miss from highly congested areas and the need for LACMTA to provide for minorities and low income workers who have hours outside the parameters of a traditional 9am-5pm job<ref name="one33">.
Goals
The BRU's main goals are to provide transit users equal access with a clean, safe, and affordable user experience<ref name="one33">. Some of their specific goals include:
- $20 Monthly Bus Pass
- 50-cent Fare with Free Transfer
- Double the 2,500 Clean Fuel Bus Fleet to 5,000
- Freeze Rail Spending
- Full Implementation of civil rights Consent Decree
- $10 Student Bus Pass Sold at Schools (K-12, College, and Adult School)