Bus Riders Union

Interview: Being New on the BRU Planning Committee

Daniel Kim — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:21:12 -0800

Two new members were elected for their first time to the Planning Committee this year. I asked them about their impressions of their first month. What was it like at your first meeting? What surprised you? How has your perspective on our work changed?

Statewide Transit Justice Organizing Update

Esperanza Martinez — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:42:53 -0800

Earlier this month, more than 40 people, representing 16 organizations from across the state, piled into an AC Transit Bus and rode to Sacramento to demand that our Legislators stop the fare hikes, service cuts, and layoffs that have been devastating California transit operators and their riders.

2010 BRU Planning Committee: Candidate Speeches

Gabriel Strachota — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:07:57 -0800

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The Bus Riders Union is ready for 2010

Esperanza Martinez — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:55:21 -0800

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. 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.

Perspectives do change

Bryan Mauricio — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:26:46 -0800

18 year-old BRU Bryan Mauricio member blogs on his experience in transformative organizing.

Rooted in Struggle: Remembering the Past and Looking Towards the Future

Crystal McMillan — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:09:45 -0800

BRU member Crystal McMillan reports on BRU's commemoration of the 54th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycotts."To use the example of the Boycott, we have to move forward with determination and we have to harness the will of the people. We will come together to stop the 2010 fare increase. We will use the Clean Air and Economic Justice plan to gain true mobility and a healthy environment. We will build an empowered and creative movement that can shape the Long Range Transportation Plan into a document that doesn't use fare increases and service cuts to fund our transit system."

Re-Envision Urban Transit with the Bus Riders Union

Sunyoung Yang — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:17:05 -0800

On Thursday November 19th, the Transit Riders for Public Transportation Campaign and the Bus Riders Union hosted a transportation briefing event, "Re-Envision Urban Transit: Los Angeles and Beyond."

Are we still trying to change the world?

Manuel Criollo — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:50:09 -0800

I don't normally write to newspaper columnists but, over the past few weeks, Bob Herbert at the New York Times has been writing some really sharp OpEd columns that have caught my attention. What hooked me was a column where he put his finger on a question that's been bothering many of us: where is the anger, the outrage, the action? where is the hope for changing the world?

How Bus-Centered Transit Works in Bogotá

Sunyoung Yang — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:04:55 -0800

There is an excellent 7-minute film that travels to Bogotá, Colombia to show you how the city runs a bus-centered transit system that is modern, inexpensive and efficiently moves 1.3 million people a day, integrating bicycles and auto free zones--and all without relying on rail or subways.

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas: The Future of Transportation in Los Angeles

Damon Azali-Rojas — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:14:23 -0700

The LA County Supervisor from South Los Angeles discusses MTA's recently passed Long Range Transportation Plan, what he's done and will do to protect funding for the bus system, and what transit equity in LA looks like over the next 30 years.

Esperanza Martinez & Bob Allen: Transportation, Civil Rights, and Environmental Justice in California

Damon Azali-Rojas — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:48:40 -0800

Two organizers on the ground in the fight for civil rights in transportatinon break down the challenges and opportunities for transit-dependent low income people and people of color in LA and the Bay Area.

BRU Wins Policy Breakthrough by Securing the 20% of Measure R Bus Improvement funds | October 22, 2009

Esperanza Martinez — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:41:06 -0700

BRU wins two major policy breakthroughs to protect bus riders' Civil Rights at the MTA's monthly Board meeting! After months of pressure from the BRU, Mayor Villaraigosa requests that MTA staff present a plan for bus system improvements and Supervisor Ridley-Thomas introduced an amendment to the 2009 LRTP that included language to protect the 20% of Measure R funds exclusively for bus expansion.

Super Pasajera vs. the LRTP Legion of Doom

Esperanza Martinez — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:52:42 -0700

We have just finished with our teatro / rally / action at the MTA headquarters, but we are repeating our performance on Wednesday 10/21/2009 at 12:30pm at the corner of Wilshire / Western. Don't miss our performance! The Bus Riders Union, bus riders and their allies will be urging the public to call on MTA Board of Directors to reject the 2009 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) draft that calls for permanent fare increases and bus service reduction.

October Monthly Meeting: E-Action Committee Reports!

Julian Lamb — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:52:10 -0700

BRU member Julian Lamb reports on the monthly meeting. "For me, the highlight of the meeting, was when Mike de la Rocha, community activist and strong supporter of the We are Alex campaign, spoke passionately on the plight of Alex Sanchez."

L.A. County MTA Board support H.R. 2746 (Carnahan Bill)

Sunyoung Yang — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:33:56 -0700

MTA approved to support H.R. 2746 (Carnahan Bill) at the September MTA board meeting. This bill will allow local transit agencies to use anywhere from 30-50% of the transit funding they receive from the federal government to operate their public transportation system.

E-Action Committee Presents: September Monthly Meeting Report

Ian Sawyer — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:40:46 -0700

E-action Committee's first ever BRU Monthly Membership Meeting web-report, bringing you the newest and greatest from the BRU Monthly Membership Meeting. This month featured updates of the Clean Air and Economic Justice plan, as well as an update on the implementation of the Bus Only Lane.

BRU Report Card Summary Report

Esperanza Martinez — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:11:58 -0700

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BRU presents Mayor Villaraigosa 100’s of MTA bus service report cards - Huizar & Ridley-Thomas are next.

Esperanza Martinez — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:12:01 -0700

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BRU runs into Mayor at City Hall - members deliver postcards

Esperanza Martinez — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:56:30 -0700

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Our Trip to City Hall District Offices

Gabriel Strachota — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:00:41 -0700

BRU members spend 2 days at City Hall doing delegation visits to LA City Council and have a surprising encounter with Mayor Villaraigosa where they hand deliver 100's of postcards grading MTA bus service.

BRU Delegation present Councilmember Huizar 1248 postcards

Gabriel Strachota — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:11:50 -0700

Tuesday, September 1st- Bus Riders Union members conduct a delgation visit to LA City Council. They deliver over a thousand report cards to MTA baord member Jose Huizar.

Bus Riders Have Spoken: BRU Presents Supervisor Ridley-Thomas with Bus Survey Results

Ian Sawyer — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:53:16 -0700

After months of resultless waiting for Supervisor Ridley-Thomas to champion bus rider's needs, the BRU addressed him directly during the public comments section of the County Board of Supervisors Meeting, presenting the appalling MTA bus performance results from the BRU Survey and urging him to adopt the BRU Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan as a basis for the 20% of Measure R funds that were dedicated to improvement in the bus transit system.

MTA Doesn’t Make the Grade

Esperanza Martinez — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:57:02 -0700

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LA County riders grade MTA bus service - MTA did not make the grade!

Esperanza Martinez — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:13:30 -0700

Dozens of BRU members worked to collect close to 3000 postcards from bus riders who were asked to grade their bus service in LA County. People were asked to grade MTA bus service anywhere from an A for excellent thru an F for extremely poor, on the following aspects: fares, night service, on-time performance etc.,.

Is it now a crime to be poor? The criminalization of everyday life

Manuel Criollo — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:46:53 -0700

Barbara Ehrenreich's op-ed, Is it now a crime to be poor?, published on August 9th in the New York Times is an important contribution, written for the readers of the New York Times, about the criminalization of poverty in the U.S.

Is The BRU Winning the Battle of Ideas? (Part 1 of 2)

Esperanza Martinez — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:23:59 -0700

As local transit agencies cut much needed service and raise fares, despite the obligation the U.S. has to reduce green house gas emissions to curb global warming, forces in the world are calling for the restriction of auto use and working to implement policies to invest in a sustainable mass transit. Critical factors that shape the BRU’s programmatic demands – auto restriction, bus-centered system with bus only lanes and fare reductions as a means to free fares – are highlighted in the following articles of the last two weeks.

BRU members testify at MTA: LRTP must include Clean Air and Economic Justice!

Gabriel Strachota — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:02:52 -0700

Leaders from South LA and Boyle Heights get in front of the MTA board member to demand major changes in the MTA's Long Range Transportation Plan. Watch the video testimony and read their reflections.

BRU Youth Leader Testifies at MTA: Demands 500 more buses

Cesar Chavez — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:13:58 -0700

BRU member Cesar Chavez testifies at the July 23rd MTA Board Meeting, demanding that the Clean Air and Economic Justice plan be included in the MTA's Long Range Transportation Plan. Click here to read the blog and see him speak!

Bus Riders Union Work Featured in Urban Habitat's Race, Poverty and the Environment

Manuel Criollo — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:29:36 -0700

Manuel Criollo, Lead Organizer of the Bus Riders Union, interviewed by Race, Poverty and the Environment, Spring 2009 Edition.

At Mayoral Inauguration, BRU LACAN and SAN Challenge Police Expansion, Stand for Human Rights

Esperanza Martinez — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:20:09 -0700

As Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa prepared to enter his second term as Mayor of Los Angeles, the Bus Riders Union, Los Angeles Community Action Network and South Asian Network made a deliberate choice to take public our struggles with him about policing.

Organizers Hold Free Speech Ground Against Police

Becky Dennison — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:34:01 -0700

As usual, General Services police and LAPD combined forces to attempt to curtail our free speech rights and our right to public space.

In the Media Spotlight: BRU Rally at Mayor's Inauguration

Anson Stewart — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:50:35 -0700

BRU's rally at Mayor Villaraigosa's Inauguration yesterday received extensive media coverage. Along with our allies from the South Asian Network, and the Los Angeles Community Action Network, we were calling on the mayor to reduce his prioritization of police funding over social services.

BRU Launches Policy Paper: Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan

Esperanza Martinez — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:33:23 -0700

Clean Air Economic Justice Plan

Nicole Eng — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:39:53 -0700

The Bus Riders Union’s Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan is a proposal to greatly expand Los Angeles County’s public transportation infrastructure and to advance a new bus-centered model for urban transportation and economic development. Document download is available now.

Stopping MTA Rush Vote on 2009 Long-Range Plan

Esperanza Martinez — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:43:37 -0700

Last Tuesday, MTA gave us just two days' notice of a special "workshop" on the 2009 Long-Range Transit Plan. This "workshop" was actually where they wanted to adopt the 2009 LRTP. The public has not seen a version of the LRTP since 2008! We knew we had to stop this undemocratic, unethical vote.

A Letter to Mayor Villaraigosa re: MTA's Long Range Transportation Plan

Manuel Criollo — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:31:41 -0700

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Tap Card Changes Would Hurt Student and Low-Income Bus Riders

Duyen Tran — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:16:08 -0700

The MTA's transition to the Tap Cards undermines the efforts the Bus Riders Union has committed to ensuring public transit affordability and accessibility. The Tap Card purchase imposes a $2 tax/fare increase to public transit that creates further financial burden to low-income bus riders and deters discretionary riders from investing in public transit use. Student discounted bus passes that were readily accessible on school campuses through the Student Bus Pass Campaign victory are threatened by the Tap Card transition as the new Metro Student Tap Card re-instates the application process and limits the venues from which the discounted bus passes can be acquired.

The Bus Riders Union Transit Model

Ryan Snyder — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:15:59 -0700

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“Public Transportation NOT Truancy Tickets”

Lisa Adler — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:09:42 -0700

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We Want Human Rights in Los Angeles, Not a Growing Police State!

Lisa Adler — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:24:40 -0700

Community Organizations from across Los Angeles Call on Mayor Villaraigosa and other City Leaders to Support Healthy Communities in this Year's Budget!

BRU members speak out on Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan

Gabriel Strachota — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:27:28 -0700

Series of video interviews showcase BRU leaders on their Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan.

Maria Ester Tejada, Presente!

Esperanza Martinez — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:25:19 -0700

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Stimulus Package Lands at MTA

Daniel Kim — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:09:34 -0800

At today's MTA monthly board meeting, BRU organizers and members began struggling with the MTA over how it will use Obama Stimulus funds.

The good, the bad

BRU Planning Committee holds annual retreat

Daniel Kim — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Rose Braz and Guillermo Mayer: Budgets, stimulus, prisons and buses

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:51:48 -0800

Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) spokesperson Rose Braz and Public Advocates civil rights attorney Guillermo Mayor unmask California's budget crisis, prison juggeraut, and future of public transportation.

Meet Natasha and Julio—Newly Elected to BRU Planning Committee

Manuel Criollo — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:26:23 -0800

Held at our January monthly meeting, this year’s annual Planning Committee elections were a window into how members become leaders. This year, two Bus Riders Union members have been elected for their first terms on the Planning Committee. Each represents major age groups and regions of L.A.’s bus ridership. Natasha is a mother of 4 boys who lives in South LA and Julio is a 21-year old student from the San Fernando Valley. In their speeches, you can hear....

Winning Lessons from A Civil Rights Battle--MTA Board Rejects Service Cuts

Manuel Criollo — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:34:48 -0800

We are very pleased to announce that yesterday, April 24th, 2008, the MTA Board of Directors unanimously rejected a series of proposed service cuts to local bus service which threatened the mobility of thousands of bus riders. This important victory comes after 3 months of intense organizing by our members, organizers, bus riders and allies. There are many lessons to be learned from this campaign....

Superpasajera Battles the MTA Grim Reaper

Geoff Ramsey-Ray — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:53:18 -0800

Support Superpasajera against service cuts and fare increases!

BRU Slows Down Pro-Fare Increase Forces on MTA Board and Protects Senior Age at 62

Geoff Ramsey-Ray — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:29:20 -0800

MTA Staff is Ordered to Take Fare Policy Back to the Drawing Board and Maintain Senior Age at 62 for All Senior Fares

Barbara Lott-Holland: Impact of MTA's racist fare hike

Tammy Bang Luu — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:11:22 -0800

Chair of the Bus Riders Union Barbara Lott-Holland reflects on life on the bus and the real impact of higher fares on Black, Latino, and Asian working class bus riders.

Francisca Porchas: BRU strategy to stop the racist fare hike

Tammy Bang Luu — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:17:46 -0800

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Ryan Snyder: Bus vs. rail debate in LA

Tammy Bang Luu — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:22:23 -0800

Urban planning expert Ryan Snyder speaks on why buses, not trains, are the future of mass transit.

Manuel Criollo & Cynthia Rojas: 2004 Salvadoran elections

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:00:22 -0800

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Graham Boyd: Drug War as the new Jim Crow

Tammy Bang Luu — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:53:59 -0800

ACLU Civil Rights attorney Graham Boyd speaks on the fight against the War on Drugs as the civil rights struggle of the 21st Century.