We are trying to build a movement of low-income people, communities of color, and all transit riders, thus "Transit Riders for Public Transportation."

Even if your group does not "specialize" in transportation, every hotel worker, domestic worker, single mother--every person who cannot afford a car or two or three for their family--needs massive federal funding for mass transit in their area.

This year, the federal surface transportation act--the second largest federal bill after the Pentagon's--will stream perhaps $500 billion down into our states and municipalities. But communities of color and environmental justice advocates are usually not influential in deciding how the funds are spent.

TRPT aims to provide an organized structure for those who really want to fight for and shape national transportation policy so that our communities can have a voice that really impacts public policy nationally and how it gets implemented in our communities. Putting public transit ahead of the auto and highway is a civil rights, poverty, green jobs and global warming issue.

If your organization is interested in becoming a part of our campaign, please contact TRPT's national coordinator Francisca Porchas. There are many ways to participate in the campaign, from signing on as a national member to becoming an endorsing organization.