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| Press Release: “Restore The B37 Bus” Coalition To Hold Rally To Demand The Restoration Of The B37 (277224) | |||
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Press Release: “Restore The B37 Bus” Coalition To Hold Rally To Demand The Restoration Of The B37 |
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Posted by Gold_12th on Mon Jun 17 17:54:22 2013, in response to “Restore The B37 Bus” Coalition To Hold Rally To Demand The Restoration Of The B37, posted by Gold_12th on Sat Jun 15 13:04:30 2013. Broad Coalition of Residents, Workers, Businesses, Community Groups, and Elected Officials in Brooklyn Will Speak Out in One Voice to the MTA: “Restore the B37 Bus!”The Restore the B37 Coalition, an extensive grassroots alliance of local residents, workers, businesses, community groups, elected officials, and TWU Local 100 members along the Third Avenue Corridor in Brooklyn will gather on Saturday, June 15th, at 11AM at Martin Luther Playground in Sunset Park to demand that the MTA re-instate the B37. The mass rally represents a milestone in the coalition’s three-year efforts to unite the communities of Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Gowanus, Red Hook, Sunset Park, and Bay Ridge in support of restoring the bus line. "I am 77 year old activist who uses a walker. I have always used mass transit to live my life and that is what MTA has taken away," said Violeta Maya, Sunset Park community activist since 1949, and co-founder of the Restore the B37 Bus Coalition. "The MTA must restore this bus line for me and the people in our community that use it to get to work, health services, school and places of worship." In 2010, the B37 was one of five local bus lines that were reduced or eliminated in Southwest Brooklyn, resulting in $2.8 million total savings for the MTA. While every service reduction negatively affected our communities, the loss of the B37 has been particularly harsh, disproportionately impacting the elderly, disabled, families, youth, and persons with chronic illnesses, who relied on the bus to access their health services, and to travel to city agencies in downtown Brooklyn. "As a founding member of the coalition, we see this as a community health issue, the B37 bus provided patients access to their physicians," said Larry K. McReynolds, LFHC executive director. "Many of the most severely impacted are senior citizens, people with disabilities, and those that can't afford car service for medical appointments. We'd like to see this critical transportation route restored as soon as possible." "The B37 Bus coalition was founded by people using the B37 line. It is a transportation justice priority," said Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE. "Our elders, our children, our families deserve to have access to mass transit. Using a fraction of the MTA budget to restore mass transit service in a low income community of color like Sunset Park and address climate change is not a lot to ask. After Sandy, we expect MTA to be mindful of the surface transportation needs of vulnerable communities." “Since partnering with the TWU Local 100 to successfully improve bus service for my constituents in Red Hook, I moved swiftly to join with them and this powerful coalition to correct the injustice visited on my constituents in Sunset Park and Bay Ridge Towers due to the cancellation of the B37 bus service. Indeed, Brooklynites from Bay Ridge to the Civic Center have suffered long enough without this vital transportation artery. Seniors, people with disabilities, folks seeking the excellent health care offered by Lutheran Medical Center, students, workers, shoppers and businesses along the corridor have all felt adverse effects of this ill-planned cut in service. So, I implore the MTA to reconsider their wrongful action and immediately restore this much needed service,” Councilwoman Sara M. González said. “I would like to commend Violeta Maya for originating the concept of this grand coalition; UPROSE and Transit Forward for their organizing strength; my colleagues in government; Lutheran; Community Boards 7 and 10, and all the organizations, groups and individuals who have lent their efforts, determination and dedication toward advancing this necessary restoration of service,” Councilwoman González concluded. Energized by the MTA's $40 million surplus from the State Budget, the coalition organized the rally to amplify their demand that the MTA to finally bring back the B37. Restoring the line would cost only a small part of the MTA's $2.8 million savings from 2010. “Albany gave the MTA $40 million more than it asked this year. It only makes sense to use some of this money to restore services that were cut back in 2010 – starting with the B37,” said Councilman Vincent Gentile. “The B37 was absolutely vital to the people of Bay Ridge and beyond. It was our neighborhood’s connection to Sunset Park, Park Slope, Lutheran Hospital and downtown Brooklyn. And now with the news that the Montague tunnel will be closed for the next 14 months, our communities deserve every other option and alternative possible. It’s hard enough as it is for residents of Southern Brooklyn who travel to other boroughs each day via public transportation. The MTA must prioritize service restorations first and foremost!" The Restore the B37 Bus Coalition has tremendous unified support across Brooklyn: Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY): “Brooklyn’s working families rely on the B37 bus line to commute to work, while other vulnerable residents, like seniors, depend on this bus service to get to church, school and even their doctor. This critical mass transit service should be immediately restored.” John Samuelsen, President, TWU Local 100: "The MTA's surplus, due partly to increased revenue from dedicated transit taxes, reflects our improving economy. As our economy rebounds, it is even more critical that our communities have reliable, affordable transit services, so everyone can fully participate in the growth of our city. The MTA should prioritize service restorations in its plans to spend its surplus." State Senator Martin Golden: “Since the B37 was discontinued, I have been fighting to bring this vital service back to our community. With the need of residents to reach Lutheran Medical Center, coupled with the upcoming delays on the R train due to the Montague Street Tunnel closure, now more than ever, we need this service restored. Residents of Brooklyn up and down 3rd Avenue are all in agreement: Bring Back Our B37!” State Senator Diane J. Savino: "I will extract a promise from MTA Chairman nominee, Thomas Prendergast that he would restore the shuttered B37 bus line and other transit services when he faces the State Senate at his confirmation hearing in a week; The only way to get that job is through the New York State Senate. It’s time for us to get back on the bus." Councilmember Stephen Levin: “Brooklyn deserves to have as many reliable transportation options as possible. With the R train shutdown scheduled to create extraordinary travel hardships for commuters from Gowanus and surrounding neighborhoods, the B37 bus needs to be re-instated now more than ever. I am proud to join with advocates, community members, and elected leaders in support of restoring the B37 bus.” Assemblywoman Joan Millman: "The residents and businesses along 3rd Avenue need the B37 bus back. For three years my constituents have had to endure longer commute times and inaccessible subway stations. This year’s state budget included $40 million in additional funds for the MTA. This money should be used to restore bus services that were cut in 2010.” Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny: "When the MTA fails to provide bus service which can accommodate the needs of the sick, elderly, and others in need of assistance, it hurts everyone in the community. People who depend on bus service find their mobility restricted when those services are cut. This is unfair to taxpayers who pay for public transportation but are no longer able to use it. It is also unfair to businesses who lose customers from those who ride buses, employers who lose workers, people who need to get to schools or the doctor's office, and people who don't drive. The MTA and other policymakers need to understand that any of us could be in need of public transportation, and just the extent to which communities build their lives around the availability of these services." Carlo A. Scissura, President & CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce: “The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce supports the work of the B37 Bus coalition as we all strive to get improved mass transit for all part of Brooklyn. The B37 bus was vital in moving residents from Southwest Brooklyn, allowing them to travel Downtown easily and rapidly. It allowed people to get to work on weekdays and to shop on weekends. The MTA must restore B37 service now!” Senator Velmanette Montgomery: "The people of Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, Gowanus, Boerum Hill and Downtown Brooklyn have suffered these last few years from the absence of the B37. Now when there is a possibility to restore services, I am happy to come together with this wonderful group of people...advocates, electeds, shop owners, residents...everyone determined and united behind one message. I am proud to stand with all of you and add my voice. Bring back the B37!" Councilmember Brad Lander: “The B37 bus was a key transportation link for our community and its loss has meant longer commutes and less access to vital services. Now is the time to bring back the B37.” Senator Eric Adams: "The B37 is a vital lifeline for residents and businesses throughout Brooklyn, serving riders in busy neighborhoods such as Downtown Brooklyn, Boreum Hill, Park Slope, Gowanus, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge and Fort Hamilton. Our transportation system is a crucial element to Brooklyn's growth and sustainability, especially in those neighborhoods who have experienced a lack of bus and train service reduction, or outright cuts. Restoring the B 37 will be one step forward to improving the quality of life for Brooklynites. I am proud to be a part of this coalition and confident that we will achieve our goals of quality transportation service in Brooklyn." http://www.transitforward.org/june15b37rallypress |
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