By Donna McNamee from AAPD's Justice For All Blog, September 02, 2009
I don't know about you, but I'm feeling it - cutbacks in how much funding local transit authorities receive have meant longer commutes, fewer routes, increased fares, and a lot of frustration. And I know it's not just me - 75% of transit agencies have had to either trim down service or raise prices over the last few years, and the effects trickle down to everyone.
But for persons with disabilities and seniors, the impact is devastating. Those us us who literally have no other way to travel are now imprisioned in our homes when transit system service hours are cut. Those on fixed incomes are unable to afford the higher fares and the end result is the same: Staying at home and living in isolation. But it's not just the isolation, it's the job loss, the inability to go to school, seek medical care and remain independent in our home communities. The problems with transit which Congress and our state legislatures are ignoring is destroying the lives we've struggled to build.
The folks at Transportation for America have been collecting stories about how transit cuts are affecting real people, and the things people have written in are stunning. We need to make sure our members of Congress hear these stories so they can know what it’s like and pass laws to fix it. Will you pass the stories on to your representatives?
Just follow this link to take action: http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/t/3224/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1996
Thanks - I really appreciate your help!
Read Transportation for America's new report, Stranded at the Station which documents the devastation of transit cuts and fare increases on America’s communities.