News Conference opposing CDTA's proposed bus fare hikes and service cuts

Stop the Hike Campaign

NEWS ADVISORY
For Immediate Release

News Conference opposing CDTA's proposed bus fare hikes and service cuts

Monday, December 22, 2008 - 5 p.m.
Citizen Action, 94 Central Avenue, Albany, NY

Speakers (draft list)
Honorable Corey Ellis, Albany Common Council
Honorable Catherine Fahey, Albany Common Council
Leah Golby, Capital Region Transit Advocates
Honorable Shawn Morris, Albany Common Council President
Mark Schaeffer, Citizen Action
Honorable Barbara Smith, Albany Common Council
Representative of Citizens for Public Transportation
Cliff Perez, Capital District Coalition for Accessible Transportation

The Stop the Hike Campaign, a newly formed coalition of organizations and individuals opposed to CDTA's proposed bus fare increases and service cuts will hold a press conference Monday, December 22 at 5 p.m. at Citizen Action, 94 Central Avenue, Albany, NY.

The CDTA Board of Directors is scheduled to vote on proposed fare increases at their meeting on Tuesday, December 23 at noon. The Stop the Hike Campaign is being launched by the fledgling group, Capital Region Transit Advocates as well as Citizen Action, the Capital District Coalition for Accessible Transportation and Citizens for Public Transportation, and has the support of many local elected officials and individuals who believe in affordable public transit.

The campaign collected over 800 signatures in less than one week on a petition urging CDTA not to go forward with the fare hike.

The petition said:

" - Fare increases and service cuts will be a hardship for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and low income bus riders who rely on CDTA or STAR as their primary mode of transportation.

" - Fare increases and service cuts will send many of CDTA's new riders who take the bus by choice, right back to their cars.

" - CDTA states that higher fuel costs have contributed to increased operating expenses, but with the drastic reduction in gas prices, it doesn't appear that a fare hike can be justified.

"Given the current economic climate, the critical role of public transit in the promotion of green living, energy independence and the new green-collar workforce, and the potential for a stimulus package from President-elect Obama and the 111th Congress, it is premature for CDTA to schedule implementation of service cuts and a fare hike. Instead, we urge CDTA to push Congress for a stimulus package that invests wisely in public transit so that CDTA can keep fares at current affordable levels, add needed service and continue to attract new riders."

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