Tell Congress: Transit Cuts Have Real Effects

Too many of our lawmakers don't understand what it's like to rely on a struggling public transit system. Maybe they've seen the statistics – rising ridership, falling funding – but we know the real effects of our neglect of transit systems are more personal than that. It's time to share those personal stories with the leaders who can enact the change we need.

Please use the letter below as your starting point, but insert your own transit cuts story to give your letter a personal touch.

May 23, 2013

Subject:

Dear Member of Congress,

As you know, transit ridership is increasing at the same time that so many cities and towns are considering - or have already instituted - draconian measures like cutting service, raising fares, and laying off transit workers. This really hurts American families like mine, making it more difficult and expensive for us to get to work, go to school, seek medical care, and get where we need to go.

This isn't about statistics, though they're harrowing. This is about us, your constituents, and our daily lives.

For Marci in Illinois, a canceled bus route now means an icy bike ride to work when winter starts. For Victoria in Kentucky, a twelve-minute car ride becomes a 45-minute adventure because of poor bus routing. Barbara in New York worries how she'll get around at all once she can no longer drive. Jean in Maryland gets left behind when the commuter bus fills up - and now that service has been reduced, it happens more than ever. Ruth in Washington was hit by a car while riding her bike to work - there were no bike lanes along the way, and the bus system didn't take her where she needed to go.

The list could go on - and it does: http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/t/3224/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=475

I call on you to take concrete action to help restore public transportation in America. Allow the use of federal transit funding for system operation costs. When you take up the Surface Transportation Act of 2009 in September, remember these stories and support solutions that will address this looming transit crisis, protect American jobs, and help reduce our continuing dependence on foreign oil.

Sincerely,

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