Bus Only Lanes

On Tuesday October 13th, the last of the four public scoping meetings was held regarding the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Project to hear from the public around their thoughts and concerns around this project.

The Bus Riders Union surveyed LA's bus riders on the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes.  LA riders overwhelmingly support the Bus-Only Lanes project for its anticipated reduction and greater efficiency in bus travel time and improvements in the city's air quality.

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.

There are two major breakthroughs for the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Campaign this month.  First on Wednesday September 22nd the city council approved the recommendations made by L.A. Department of Transportation and the MTA to conduct a full Environmental Impact Report for the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Project. Secondly, Congress has approved the 2010 budget for transportation which includes the second installment of $13.5 million, awarding a total of $23.3 million of federal funding for the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Project.

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'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.