As all good organizers do, we begin the year looking back to the lessons and breakthroughs of 2009 that will inform the character of the work of the Bus Riders Union in 2010.

What defined our work in 2009

Last year, our work was defined by

• growth in member leadership like Crystal McMillan, Julian Lamb and Cesar Chavez
• exciting street actions like our teatro group protesting the MTA's Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) [1] and our rally at the Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Inauguration [2]
• the development of the Bus Riders Unions' policy paper - the Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan [3]. It is our plan for mobility and economic development in LA County, one that we believe should be the basis for MTA's Measure R 20% Bus System Improvement Plan.

The main challenge: securing the 20% of Measure R funds for buses

The year presented many challenges for the BRU in securing the 20% of Measure R funds that were promised for bus system improvements.  We knew we would have to fight to ensure those funds be used for the much needed expansion of LA's bus system and its primarily working-class, immigrant, Black, Asian and Latina/o riders.

We focused our efforts on organizing to influence 3 key board members on the MTA Board of Directors:

• Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
• LA City Councilmember Jose Huizar
• Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas

Two policy breakthroughs

Our year long efforts culminated in two critical policy breakthroughs.  We worked with Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas to introduce a motion to MTA's 30 year Long Range Transportation Plan that included language to protect the 20% for bus expansion [8].  We organized Mayor Villaraigosa to request that MTA staff produce a concrete plan for bus expansion.

Goals for 2010

2010 will present even more challenges and opportunities to grow our movement for Civil Rights and Environmental Justice.

1. 1. We must work to stop the Governor's attempt to permanently eliminate all transportation subsidies in the state of California.
2. 2. We must continue to organize and step up our fight in the streets and in the boardroom to stop MTA's attempt to raise fare on July 1^st.
3. 3. Lastly, through all of these battles we will continue to build support for the Clean Air and Economic Justice plan.

We will need you every step of the way in the streets, on the buses and in the boardroom.

"We are ready if you are ready...raise your fists if you are ready to fight!"