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Riders Alliance member Thomasin Bentley wants her bus back!  Behind her are Assembly Members David Weprin and Nily Rozic, City Council Member Gale Brewer, NYC Transit Riders Council Chair Andrew Albert, and MTA Board Member Allen Cappelli.  And dozens more Riders Alliance members who turned out on a Sunday!

More than two dozen Riders Alliance members rallied with our fellow transit advocates today to demand that Governor Cuomo and the MTA invest a $40 million unexpected surplus in expanded train and bus service.

We were joined at the event by MTA board member Allen Cappelli, as well as State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assembly Members Nily Rozic and David Weprin, and City Council Members Gale Brewer, Vincent Gentile and Stephen Levin.

Please see press coverage of our rally here and click below for the complete press release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2013

Transit Riders, Elected Officials Rally to Demand MTA Invest $40 Million Unexpected Surplus in Expanded Train and Bus Service

New State Budget Includes $40 Million

More Than MTA Expected in Its Budget

Ridership Highest Since 1950, New Numbers Show—

Crowded Buses and Trains Need Immediate Relief

NEW YORK, NY—Members of the Riders Alliance, along with elected officials, a member of the MTA board and other transit advocates, rallied today to demand that Governor Cuomo and the MTA restore and improve subway and bus service using $40 million in new MTA revenue that was not predicted in the MTA’s last budget.

The 2013-14 state budget passed in March included an increase of more than $358 million in operating support for subways, buses and commuter rail—an approximately 9% increase over what the state provided to MTA operations in 2012-2013.  The increase exceeded the MTA’s budget assumption by $40 million, largely because transit-dedicated taxes brought in more money than expected due to a recovering economy.

Subway and bus riders, advocates and elected officials requested today that Governor Cuomo and the MTA use the unexpected $40 million to create a Service Restoration and Enhancement Fund, which could restore some of the service the MTA cut in 2010, as well as increase service on existing bus and train lines.

As background:

• in 2010, the MTA cut service by $93 million annually to save money, cutting 32 bus routes and reducing or eliminating 3 subway lines;
• partial restorations since then have brought back $29 million in service restorations and new bus routes, but not the rest;
• meanwhile, according to MTA data released last week, weekday ridership is at its highest level since the year 1950.

In the attached letter to the MTA, New York’s leading transportation advocates wrote that service enhancements could include:

• restoring weekend and off-peak service that was cut in 2010 for millions of subway riders, who now have longer trips and waits, more crowding and extra transfers;
• restoring bus service that was cut in 2010 and providing routes to new markets;
• adding LIRR service at the late shoulder PM rush, where trains are becoming crowded;
• adding reverse peak/off peak service to meet emerging demand on Metro-North; and
• expanding CityTicket to all off peak hours or both railroads.

John Raskin, Executive Director of the Riders Alliance, said, “The MTA needs billions, not millions, to provide sufficient transit service to New Yorkers.  But now that there is a little more in the budget than expected, the first priority should be restoring and expanding service for millions of people who rely on MTA buses and trains.  Ridership is at its highest level since 1950, and we have to run more buses and trains to catch up.  $40 million can go a long way to restoring some of the bus and train service we lost in the devastating 2010 service cuts, and to adding new routes that help riders get where they are trying to go.”

Cate Contino, Campaign Coordinator for the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign, said “Over the past several years riders have been asked to pay more and more for less and less. It’s not fair. But a $40 million Service Restoration and Enhancement Fund is the perfect opportunity for the MTA to give riders what they need – more and better service.  We commend Commissioners Pally and Cappelli for keeping riders’ needs front and center as the MTA decides what to do with this unexpected windfall.”

Allen P. Cappelli, a member of the MTA board, said “I applaud Governor Cuomo for both his support of additional resources to the MTA, and his leadership in providing innovative cost saving measures as well.  Our riders expect that the MTA seize this opportunity and utilize this money for restoration of some of the cuts of 2010, expand service where overcrowding exists as our ridership grows, and serve new markets as the face of our city and region continues to change.”

Andrew Albert, Chair of the New York City Transit Riders Council, said, “With Governor Cuomo and the State approving almost $40 million for the MTA, it isn’t too much of a stretch to believe that the Governor wants the MTA to restore many of the services that were cut in June of 2010. New Yorkers – whether they ride the buses, subways, or commuter rails – expect nothing less.”

Ryan Lynch, Associate Director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, said, “Three years later, transit riders are still feeling the impacts of the worst service cuts in a generation, and paying more on top of it. These additional revenues must be used to add service to underserved communities and to expand service where ridership is growing.”

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said, “So many people are frustrated every day by their commutes.  Increased waiting times, diminished service, inadequate service to newly developed areas of the city and crowded buses and trains make getting around the city really difficult.  With ridership soaring, it makes sense to direct unexpected operating funds to restore and/or improve service for riders.”

State Senator Brad Hoylman said, “I applaud the Riders Alliance for organizing this rally and highlighting the extra $40 million allocated to the MTA in the recently passed state budget. Subway and bus users shouldn’t have to endure service cuts while the MTA is sitting on an unexpected surplus.”

State Senator Liz Krueger said, “”Mass transit is the engine that keeps greater New York’s economy running, but in recent years straphangers have been hit with successive fare hikes and service cuts that, if we had properly invested in the system, should not have been necessary.  When the MTA discovers savings or surpluses, we owe it to transit riders to make sure that money is reinvested into improving or expanding service.”

State Senator Daniel Squadron said, “New Yorkers depend on the access bus and subway service provides every day of the week and every time of day. Yet transit service gets cut — which is simply unacceptable in a city, and particularly in under-served neighborhoods, that continue to grow. That’s why any budget surplus should and must go toward restoring and improving the transit services on which our city relies — especially in the wake of yet another fare increase. Thank you to Riders Alliance and all the transit advocates making their voice heard. I look forward to continuing to work with the MTA to improve rider experience through bus and subway restorations, Full Line Reviews like the one currently underway on the G, and a protected and enhanced funding stream for the agency.”

Assemblymember Jim Brennan said, “The MTA should realize that service restorations are a top priority for the riding public and begin evaluating options in that regard.”

Assembly Member Micah Kellner said, “For far too long, the Empire State’s mass transit system has been starved of the revenues needed to maintain the subway, bus and train service that take New Yorkers where they need to go. This unexpected uptick in MTA revenues should be dedicated to restoring service that was previously cut and meeting the historic surge in ridership that signals New York’s continuing economic recovery.”

Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol said, “With the revelation of this unexpected revenue, the findings of the G-train full line review will now have the funding to make the much needed upgrades for this line. Improving the MTA service in Brooklyn should be a top priority, as the population continues to quickly grow their transportation needs must be met and this additional funding can serve as a great service to the people in my district.”

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic said, “Public transportation is vital to the communities of Eastern Queens, where most live in a transit desert, having limited access to trains and relying heavily on buses to get to work, school or important appointments.  The MTA must realize that now more than ever the loss of service continues to impact our community and the MTA must do everything it can to restore and expand service for riders who all depend on it. I’m proud to stand with Riders Alliance, my colleagues in government and transit advocates to ensure that the MTA provide reliable service and invest in the strength and resiliency of our transit system.”

Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas said, “It is my sincere hope that any unexpected surplus funds be re-invested by the MTA to restore service in areas affected by previous cuts, particularly here in our growing community of Western Queens. With such a rapid increase in ridership, it is the MTA’s obligation to return service to a level that can accommodate this increased demand for public transit.”

Assemblyman David I. Weprin said, “All I ever seem to hear about are cuts being made to services or fare hikes.  It is rarely the case where riders can benefit from an available surplus of funds.  With ridership being at its highest level since 1950, what we have here is the opportunity to use the $40 million dollar surplus to help restore some of the cuts that were made back in 2010 by the MTA.  This would ease some of the longer trips, longer waits, and constant overcrowding that subway and bus riders face everyday”

Council Member Gale Brewer said, “With ridership on our buses and subways at record highs, and with many straphangers still smarting from the latest fare hike, there is no question that the MTA should thank riders by using this $40 million revenue boost to enhance service. New Yorkers have been bearing the brunt of the MTA’s fiscal crisis for years, and this windfall is the perfect opportunity for the Authority to give something back. As any passenger on an overcrowded train, or bus rider waiting 20 minutes in the cold can attest, there is a clear need for added service. I join residents, advocates, and my fellow elected officials in demanding that the MTA use this money for the betterment of all straphangers in the form of more trains and buses in our City.”

Councilwoman Sara M. González said, “As the Council Member for Sunset Park and Red Hook, I am joining with residents, visitors,  business owners, organizations, schools, churches and workers of my District in our demand for the full restoration of the B37 bus service along Third Avenue.  The B37 bus line connected my constituents to places including Lutheran Medical Center, Costco, Downtown Brooklyn, the Atlantic Center Mall, and would now serve the Barclays Center.  The effects have been most detrimental to our working families, our low-income residents, our students, our seniors and people with disabilities, whether their transportation needs are for employment, entertainment, to visit medical facilities or other personal choices.”

Council Member Letitia James said, “It is a fact that rising MTA fares are adding an additional burden on working families in New York. I would hope that the authority would invest excess funds into the restoration of troubled lines, and the increase of services in rapidly-developing neighborhoods.”

Council Member Jessica Lappin said, “Any surplus should directly benefit the riders and increase service.”

Council Member Stephen Levin said, “Everyone knows that New Yorkers have things to do – places to go, people to visit, work to be done. With ridership increasing year after year and previous cuts yet to be restored, every dollar available to the MTA that improves our transit system must be put to use.  I am proud to stand with Riders Alliance to demand that Governor Cuomo and the MTA use this unexpected $40 million so that subway and bus service can be restored.”

Councilwoman Debi Rose said, “Straphangers are seeing a serious erosion of services in three important areas – employee protection, rider protection, and service enhancement. In the difficult economic environment we are in, an unexpected $40 million surplus in the MTA’s budget is a godsend – it is only common sense that it should be used for a Service Restoration and Enhancement fund.  I strongly support this initiative. My district lost several bus routes and had other bus routes significantly curtailed with budget cuts enacted by the MTA in 2010. In addition, the North Shore of Staten Island was battered by Hurricane Sandy – transportation off the Island was suspended for days, and bus transportation was spotty at best for weeks following the hurricane.  The combination of reduced services during disasters and the reduction of services following budget cuts in 2010 have had a severe and damaging economic impact in my district with constituents unable to get to work off the Island and local businesses unable to operate or facing ever increasing hurdles to operate. And with limited rail service available from the Staten Island Railroad, my constituents are more and more dependent on ever eroding bus services. This Fund is desperately needed to help restore and improve much needed transportation services in my district.”

Councilman James Vacca said, “This is an opportunity for the MTA to see how they can improve service and make much-needed restorations now that New Yorkers are riding the subway and buses more than ever. MTA needs to review the impact its service cuts have had on deprived communities, especially in the outer boroughs.”

Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. said, “Commuters made an investment in the MTA by paying higher fares – now the MTA has to invest in the public by resuming the train and bus service they cut throughout Queens.”

Thomasin Bentley, a member of the Riders Alliance and a resident of Brooklyn, said, “When the MTA cut service in 2010, I lost the B69 bus.  I used that bus to go shopping and visit friends.  Now I rely on the B61, which doesn’t work as well because ever since the service cuts it has to cover more territory.  And it’s not just me.  Lots of people in Brooklyn and other parts of New York relied on bus service that we lost, and now it takes us longer to get wherever we’re trying to go.”

Carol Wierzbicki, a member of the Riders Alliance and resident of Brooklyn, said, “I used to take the Union Street bus to do my shopping, and if I had to go to the store I could just take it two stops.  I also used it to go to the park.  My friend and I are in our fifties, and we don’t want to have to walk so far to get to the park.  I want my bus back!”

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See our full press release below and sign up here to fight for better G train service.

Full release:

Riders Alliance, Senator Squadron and Senator Dilan Urge MTA to Increase G Train Service to Keep Up with New Ridership Growth

New Numbers Show G Train Ridership Grew More Than Any Other Subway Line in 2012

Call for MTA to Consider New Data as Part of Full Line Review of G Train

BROOKLYN, NY—State Senators Daniel Squadron and Martin Dilan and members of the Riders Alliance called on the MTA today to increase G train service in light of new ridership data that showed G train service increasing by a higher percentage than any other train in the last year. G train service grew by 4.2% on an average weekday in 2012, according to new ridership data released by the MTA, carrying an average of 2,000 more riders each weekday than in 2011.

According to the MTA, the growth is likely due to new residential development along the G train and increased travel between North Brooklyn and activities in Downtown Brooklyn, including events at the Barclays Center. Elected officials and Riders Alliance members urged the MTA to consider the dramatic new ridership data as a component of the Full Line Review requested in January by State Senators Daniel Squadron and Martin Dilan. The MTA agreed in February to conduct the Full Line Review, which is currently underway and expected to be complete by the end of June.

“The MTA’s new numbers show what G train riders already know. These trains are overcrowded, and we need to run more of them,” said John Raskin, Executive Director of the Riders Alliance. “We appreciate the MTA undertaking a Full Line Review of the G train. We are asking the MTA to consider these record ridership numbers and add more trains to accommodate all the new riders crowding their way onto the G.” The Riders Alliance is a grass-roots membership organization of subway and bus riders, fighting neighborhood by neighborhood to win better transit service—details are at www.ridersny.org.

Senator Daniel Squadron said, “The numbers add up: more G train riders mean we need more G train service. And there’s good news: at our urging, the MTA has agreed to conduct a Full Line Review, providing a real opportunity to improve and increase G train service so that it keeps up with growing ridership. Working together in the past, we’ve made dramatic improvements throughout the system, including the first-of-their-kind Full Line Reviews that led to better F and L train service. Now this Full Line Review allows us to reapply that experience to the G — and finally make it Great! Thank you to Riders Alliance, Senator Dilan, and my colleagues, and to the MTA for working with us toward more reliable service.”

Senator Martin Dilan said, “The latest G Line figures confirm what riders have known all along: that demand has outpaced service in North Brooklyn. It’s time that G Line service to Williamsburg and Downtown Brooklyn reflect the upward growth that both areas have seen, and every indication shows it will only continue. As the MTA has done in cases where service has fallen out of step with ridership, I urge them to begin increasing and up-scaling G Line service to meet the demand of nearly 2,000 new daily riders.”

Annemarie Caruso, a member of the Riders Alliance who lives near the Nassau G train stop, said, “I ride the G every morning from Nassau Avenue to Court Square. I work in midtown and this is my most direct transit option. No other lines have stops in Greenpoint. Day after day I make my way down a crowded platform and squeeze into an even more crowded train. Service is not frequent enough to say to myself ‘Oh, I’ll just wait for the next one.’ The next one could be 12 minutes away. I love my fellow Brooklynites, but I am tired of spending my mornings pressed up against them!”

“Just because the G train doesn’t run to Manhattan doesn’t give the MTA the right to deny its riders good service. For years, this line has been neglected but thanks to grassroots advocacy from Windsor Terrace to Greenpoint, things are finally looking up. Brooklyn deserves a better G, and that’s what we’re going to win,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, who launched the “5-Stop Fan Club” in 2012 to protect additional G train stops.

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke said, “In recent years, the G Train has become vital to the people of central Brooklyn who commute across several neighborhoods in New York City. The MTA should allocate resources and enhance its current transit services to accommodate the increase in ridership.”

“G train service has to increase along with the growth in ridership. The MTA should be considering adding more cars to avoid the G train sprint and improve the frequency of service so that commuters who miss a train do not have to wait so long,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney.

Senator Eric Adams said, “As the borough of Brooklyn expands with people and businesses, it is essential we also increase G train service.  The data shows that there is a clear need–and that our sustainability depends on a G train operating at the highest level.”

Senator Michael Gianaris said, “The jump in ridership on the G train demonstrates that this vital means of transportation is becoming more and more important to the residents of Queens and Brooklyn. As western Queens and Brooklyn continue to experience growth, the number of New Yorkers relying on the G train will also grow. I urge the MTA to take this telling data under consideration as part of the Full Line Review of the G train that we have requested.”

Senator Velmanette Montgomery said, “I am delighted to add my voice to the call for the MTA to perform a Full Line Review of the G-train. The 25th District, which I represent, is experiencing explosive growth and one third of the G train stops run through it. This once critical subway line experienced much reduced service for years, but must now be restored fully!”

Senator Kevin Parker said, “The G train is a vital and necessary part of Brooklyn’s subway service. We all agree that as its ridership grows, it should receive more resources to support Brooklyn’s increased population and business growth, and to help our communities with their daily lives.”

Assembly Member Joseph Lentol said, “With the rapid increase in population, it is no surprise that the only train that solely serves Brooklyn has had dramatic increases in ridership. I hope that these statistics will further validate the need for improved G-train service. It is imperative for the continued growth and economic development of Brooklyn, and in particular my district of North Brooklyn, that G-train service be expanded to run more frequently and serve a larger number of people.”

Assembly Member Joan Millman said, “Due to new businesses and new housing in the 52nd Assembly District the G train line saw an increase of about 2,000 weekday riders per day. This is further proof that the G train line review was necessary and yet another reason why the MTA needs to increase service along the G train.”

Council Member Letitia James said, “As the main local line serving the Fort Greene-Clinton Hill community, the G train has long been criticized for frequent overcrowding, delays, and reroutes. The growing residential and commercial development in Downtown Brooklyn adds additional ridership to an already-overcrowded line. I join my colleagues in calling on the MTA to increase the line’s ridership accordingly, and I further request the MTA review the prospect of connecting the Atlantic- Barclays Area transit hub to the local G-line at Lafayette Avenue.”

Council Member Brad Lander said, “We need to make sure the ‘G’ stands for ‘Great’ and not ‘G-dforsaken’! The dramatic increase in G train ridership makes clear that the G train should be more than a minor footnote in the city’s transit system, and I urge the MTA to account for the additional 2,000 riders we see each weekday when compiling its recommendations to improve the line.”

Council Member Stephen Levin said, “The release of this data is further proof of the need to increase G Train service so that we can adequately serve the needs of the diverse communities of Brooklyn.”

“The G Train has seen explosive growth in ridership because it’s is a vital intraborough route for Brooklyn residents, a key connector for locals in Queens and a critical transportation choice for workers commuting between our largest boroughs. Service on this important subway line must keep pace with the thriving communities it serves,” said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives.

“When investment in transit is made, there are measurable returns. The growth in G ridership is a prime example of this. Transit ridership is increasing citywide and greater investment is needed to meet this demand,” says Veronica Vanterpool, Executive Director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

Connor Mealey, a member of the Riders Alliance who lives near the Nassau G train stop, said, “The new data shows what riders have known all along: G ridership is expanding and exploding all across the borough and into Queens. It just shows why the campaign goals that the Riders Alliance is fighting for are so important. As somebody who takes the G to work every single day and multiple times on the weekend, an increase in service would improve my quality of life dramatically.”

Matt Arancio, a member of the Riders Alliance who lives near the Metropolitan G train stop, said, “It’s time for a change. It’s clear that G train usage will only continue to increase as Brooklyn continues to grow, and the MTA needs to be prepared to provide riders with the service they deserve. I have talked to G train riders. I have petitioned for better service. One elderly woman told me that she commutes over an hour and a half to and from Queens every day. I’m sure there are countless stories that mirror her experience.”

Alexis Saba, a member of the Riders Alliance who lives off of the Clinton-Washington G train stop, said, “For me the G is actually a very convenient train to take. I use it for everything: I live off of the G train, my sister lives off of the G train, and my boyfriend lives off of the G train. I take it to go to the gym and I take it to work. The problem is, it can be really crowded when the service is irregular–and that happens a lot. I know more and more people are using it to get to work and I know people need more service. I’m glad that the MTA decided to do a full-line review. It’s needed and I hope that they consider the increase in ridership especially for those who rely on the train for work.”

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More than 75 Riders Alliance members came to our Rally For a Better G Train, including Tolani Adeboye, who addressed the crowd on behalf of the group.

Thanks to the 75 people who joined us for our Rally for a Better G Train on January 27th, co-hosted by State Senators Daniel Squadron and Martin Dilan.

Our rally was covered extensively in the press, including articles in more than a dozen news outlets and an interview with some of our members on Channel 11 news.  We were also joined by State Senator Michael Gianaris, Assemblyman Joe Lentol and City Councilmembers Leticia James and Steve Levin.

Be sure to sign our online petition for better G train service!

Thank you for being part of such a successful first year for the Riders Alliance!

With a fare hike approved this morning and the top MTA job vacant again, there has never been a more important time to build political power for transit riders.

Riders Alliance members sign up R train riders in Bay Ridge

We want to take a moment now, at the end of 2012, to update you on everything we’ve done in our first year of work, and to look ahead to 2013.

And we ask you to consider supporting the Riders Alliance with your end-of-year giving, to help us gear up for an even stronger year to come. We have ambitious goals to organize transit riders in neighborhoods around the city, and with your help, we’ll make even more progress this coming year.

Since opening our doors in May of this year, we have:

• Organized G train riders in North Brooklyn to push for better service, including more frequent trains, better communication with riders, and free transfers to nearby lines;

• Brought together Bay Ridge and Southern Brooklyn residents to advocate for better R service and restoration of the B37 bus, which was especially valuable to seniors;

Riders Alliance members are not satisfied with G train service.

• Convened an exciting first meeting of Astoria and Long Island City residents to establish priorities for a local transit campaign;

• Surveyed more than 1,800 transit riders in Highbridge and Soundview in the Bronx and Corona in Queens, and met with community leaders to discuss transit concerns in those neighborhoods;

• Held 19 house parties and happy hours to spread the word about our organization and recruit new members;

• Gained our first 300 dues-paying members, plus another 120 grass-roots donors;

• Celebrated the Riders Alliance at a launch event with more than 175 members and guests, including Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh, City Council Member Dan Garodnick, and Assemblywoman-elect Nily Rozic;

• Earned press coverage of our work, including stories in the Daily News, Brooklyn Paper, City and State, Capital NY, Streetsblog, the Brooklyn Eagle, the Greenpoint Star, and various other publications and blogs;

• Created a snazzy professional web site, a Facebook page that has grown from zero to more than 500 followers, and a Twitter feed that we launched the same week Pope Benedict XVI launched his—supposedly unrelatedly;

…and more, much more. After seven months, we are solidly on our way to organizing riders into a powerful political constituency—and interrupting the destructive cycle of fare hikes, service cuts and longer, more uncomfortable commutes for millions of New Yorkers.

More than 175 people attended our November launch event!

None of these valuable steps would have been possible without the hundreds of people who have contributed time, money, advice, membership dues, and more to building the Riders Alliance. Thank you for your help in this endeavor, and for your commitment to stick with us as we build a strong organization in the coming months and years.

We have ambitious plans for 2013. If you’re able to chip in now, your contribution will help us:

• Win improved service in the neighborhoods where we are already working;

• Launch additional campaigns for better transit in new communities around New York;

• Train more grass-roots members to become advocates for transit—with the MTA, with the press, and with local elected officials who make important decisions about funding and policy;

• Double the size of the Riders Alliance. In 2013, we plan to build an organization with twice as many members, twice as many donors, and twice as many grass-roots transit leaders.

In these final days of 2012, if you would like to include the Riders Alliance in your end-of-year giving, we can promise we will put your investment to good use. Every dollar goes right into our community organizing campaigns, helping us organize more transit riders in more communities around New York.

We’re building a movement to fix transit from the ground up—by organizing transit riders to demand better service, affordable fares and a strong public investment in our subways and buses.

Thank you for everything you have done to help us get started—and thank you in advance if you are able to contribute now to give us a solid foundation for 2013!

Sincerely,

John Raskin
Executive Director

Visit our “In the News” page to see coverage of the Riders Alliance, our November launch, and our fight for better G train service in Brooklyn and Queens!

See Pete Donohue’s beautiful piece in today’s Daily News. Transit matters–and this week’s disaster helps us see that.

Let’s take a moment to recognize the extraordinary efforts of everyone who is working to bring service back and re-connect our city to itself.

The Riders Alliance Launch Event will be a great opportunity to meet other members and supporters, find out more about our ambitious plans to organize transit riders in neighborhoods all over New York, and–this part is important–take advantage of an open bar for the duration of the event!

We’ll be at the Bubble Lounge at 228 West Broadway, two blocks south of Canal Street in Tribeca.  Monday, November 19th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

RSVP here to join us for this exciting official launch of the Riders Alliance!

Without help from Albany, riders are asked to pay more money for less service.

The buzz this week has been about the proposed fare hikes released on Monday.

As Straphangers spokesman Gene Russianoff, blogger Ben Kabak (both Riders Alliance board members) and the New York Times editorial board all point out, the real solution to the MTA funding crisis lies not in squeezing riders for even more change but in strengthening the MTA’s funding over the long term, something only our representatives in Albany can achieve.

Ben credits the “growing chorus of voices calling for more state support”–a chorus that includes Riders Alliance members, as we organize in neighborhoods around New York.

Join the chorus today! Become a member of the Riders Alliance and support our work to win more investment in New York’s subways and buses.

Without enough public support for transit in New York, bus and subway riders are left holding the bag. Help us win the funding and support we need from our elected officials: get involved in the Riders Alliance today. Join us on the subway platform, or at a planning meeting, or just come to a happy hour to find out more!

7 million transit riders should not pay 35% more for less service than we had. Join the Riders Alliance today.