Groups from across the country are calling on Congress to pass a federal transportation bill, with adequate funding for public transit, biking, and walking. If we do not act now, the funding will run out at the end of May.
On April 9th, we encourage you to:
2) When you’re on the bus or T, or waiting at a stop, take pictures, and post them on social media. #SU4T #StandUp4Transportation
PPT is helping to host a press conference on Thursday April 9th at 10 am, Wood St T station lobby, 601 Wood St.
Volunteers will then go to bus stops to encourage riders to call their federal elected officials: Sen. Casey, Sen. Toomey, Rep. Doyle, Rep. Murphy, and Rep. Rothfus. We need to tell those in Washington how crucial public transit is to us. We expect our legislators to act NOW to pass a federal bill that provides adequate funding for public transit, biking, and walking.
Script for calling elected officials:
Hello. My name is ______________, and I live at __________. My phone number is__________. I am calling to ask that you do all in your power to pass a long-term sustainable surface transportation bill before May 31st. I ride the bus/T/bike/walk every day, and I want to make sure you understand how important public transit, biking, and walking is to me and my neighbors. Many of us either do not have cars or choose not to drive. We need alternative choices, and it is your job to ensure those options are there for us.
US Rep. Mike Doyle (14th district-PA)
2637 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Phone: (412) 390-1499
https://doyle.house.gov/contact-me
US Rep. Tim Murphy(18th district-PA)
504 Washington Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Phone: (412) 344-5583
https://murphy.house.gov/contact-me
US Rep.Keith Rothfus(12thdistrict-PA)
6000 Babcock Boulevard, Suite 104
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: (412) 837-1361
http://rothfus.house.gov/email-keith
Sen. Pat Toomey (US Senator—PA)
100 W. Station Square Dr., Suite 225
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 803-3501
http://www.toomey.senate.gov/?p=contact
Sen. Bob Casey (US Senator—PA)
310 Grant Street, Suite 2415
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 803-7370
http://www.casey.senate.gov/contact
For more info see below.
MEDIA RELEASE:
Local advocates from community development, public transit, ped/bike, labor, and business sectors join with communities nationwide to emphasize need for long-term investment in US transportation infrastructure before funding evaporates on May 31
WHO: Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group, Pittsburghers for Public Transit, Bike Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Allegheny Conference on Community Development
WHAT: Stand Up for Transportation Day –Pittsburgh area leaders are joining with their counterparts nationwide,April 9, 2015 to draw attention and awareness to the looming federal transportation funding crisis and call on Congress to follow Pennsylvania’s lead by passing a comprehensive, sustainable transportation funding package. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), with support from national and local partners from transportation, business, labor and community oriented interests, Stand Up for Transportation Day will unite the voices of 200+ participating organizations in over 140 communities nationwide to focus on the federal transportation funding crisis’s urgency and provide a Pittsburgh-region context.
WHY: Whether you ride a train, bus or bike, walk or drive, the expiration of the federal funding bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), has a direct impact on southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy and quality of life. On May 31, 2015, the nation’s transportation funding mechanism – the Highway Trust Fund – becomes literally insolvent. It also threatens to wipe out the leadership Pennsylvania showed in passing its own transportation funding bill, Act 89 of 2013. Without a long-term federal transportation funding bill, ours and communities across the country will face tremendous economic and employment uncertainty. Transportation is the backbone of our local and national economy. A long-term transportation bill is needed to reinforce and expand transportation choices, and to continue to grow our economy – locally and nationally.