California Transit Cuts Would Increase Congestion and Climate Change Problems for the State

Transportation accounts for 41% of the California’s greenhouse gas emissions. We can’t meet the aggressive goals of AB 32 without funding for quality public transit systems. The good news is that our legislators can reject these cuts, and lay the ground work for stable transit funding in the future.

On Wednesday, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Transportation held an informational hearing on public transit. Many individuals testified against these cuts.

Environmental, social equity, and transit groups across the state are rallying. Here is what some have said in response to the budget proposed by the Governor:

“Cutting public transit would ignore the public’s clear frustration with growing traffic congestion and our desire to invest in more transportation options to meet our travel needs.” Emily Rusch, CALPIRG Advocate.

“Losing this funding will have devastating impacts on the daily lives of working people, senior citizens and high school students who have no other transportation options. Juliet Ellis, Executive Director of Urban Habitat in Oakland.

“The Older Women's League joins the voices of those who are alarmed by the cuts in funding for public transit. How are we going to avoid the dependence on automobiles if we have no alternatives in this fast moving society? We must make public transit available and easy to use if it is to become a viable alternative for driving on freeways.” Betty Perry, Public Policy Director for the Older Women's League of California.

“The misallocation of the spillover funds is like a giant game of ‘hide the salami’ from a starving lion. The governor's team continues to spin and misdirect these funds to prop up other worthy projects that have been traditionally paid from the general fund. Despite the governor's green proclamations, his budget team actions are completely disingenuous and will result in great harm to the transit using public who depend on healthy transit alternatives to get to work, school and health care." Bart Reed, Executive Director of The Transit Coalition in Los Angeles.

Carli Paine is the Transportation Program Director for the Transportation and Land Use Coalition (TALC). Before she worked for TALC, she was an Associate City Planner and an Assistant City Planner in the Bay Area. For more information on the proposed cuts and attempts to protect these funds for public transit visit the Transportation and Land Use Coalition site or contact Carli Paine at carli@transcoalition.org.