Make Your Voice Heard at MBTA's Monthly Board Meetings

For too long, we’ve been dealing with fare increases and poor service, especially on our buses. Testify with others who care about a better MBTA at their monthly Board of Directors meeting and make sure they hear what community members are facing in their daily travels. This is a chance to share your MBTA horror stories and demand your right to affordable, reliable, and functional service. Join other concerned riders as they prepare testimonies and share stories in advance by contacting Lee; click the red higlighted name to send an email or call him at 617.442.3343 x229.

Ask Governor Patrick to make public transit a priority

The T currently runs the highest debt of any transit agency in the country at roughly $5.2 billion. $2.9 billion of this was handed to the MBTA by the state in 2000 as part of a "forward funding" bill that turned out to not provide adequate funding at all! We've seen the results - a vicious cycle of fare increases and service cutbacks that in turn lower ridership while failing to address the root cause of the problem. To make sure Governor Patrick remembers the need for affordable fares (and better T service), T Riders Union (TRU) committee members are asking all ACE members and supporters to pick up a pen NOW and write Governor Patrick to say the following:

- Why the T is important to you
- Why public transportation should be a funding priority
- That you are an ACE member or supporter (TRU is a program of ACE)

Governor Deval Patrick’s address: Massachusetts State House Room 360 Boston, MA 02133

We're trying to get as many letters to his office by early to mid 2008 to make sure he hears from us before releasing his plan for statewide transit. If you write one, please send us a copy to at: ACE, 2181 Washington St, Suite 301, Roxbury, MA 02119.

Become a Bus Route Captain

TRU is organizing bus route by bus route. As a bus route caption, you’ll learn the skills you need to connect with other riders that have problems with their bus service. After one training session, you’ll be capable of organizing on your routes. As a tool, bus route captains document their experience in an easy to use journal provided by TRU. Be the eyes and ears of TRU and launch mini campaigns to improve your service directly.

Get on the Bus!

We build power and awareness one rider at a time. TRU is out in the system working to meet and involve new riders every week. At times we use creative street theatre and “mock" conversations on the bus to engage new riders, other times we walk through major bus transfer locations handing out Riders’ Rights guides and speaking with riders about their issues. Join our efforts to expand the TRU base so that we win real service improvements.

Tell Your Story

Have an MBTA horror story? If you think you’re alone, you’re not. Share your story by coming to a meeting, calling or writing our TRU organizers, or posting it on our Bus Marathon web page. We need the voices and experiences of riders like you to document what is actually happening and to demand improvements.

Interested in TRU? Contact Lee Matsueda for more information.