Rally this Saturday to Preserve Buses at the Clark County Fair

TCC is helping the preserve our buses campaign hold a rally this Saturday at the Clark County fair to build support to saving bus service.  If proposition one passes this November in Clark County all of the revenues will be use to save existing bus service, nothing else!

Currently for just $2 you can take the shuttle right to the entrance of the fair, save a dollar on admission, and another six dollars on parking.

However, if Proposition 1 fails, the shuttle along with lots of other C-TRAN services will be cut.  Please join TCC & the Preserve our Buses campaign for a rally:

Saturday, August 13th, 1pm
Clark Co Fair Grounds, NE entrance (Blue Gate)
17402 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield, WA 98642

To RSVP please click here. For info on taking the shuttle to the fair click here. Together we can work together to preserve our buses in Clark County!

Is the Federal Gas Tax on its Way Out?

The infrastructurist reported earlier this week that the federal gas tax is set to expire in September.

Under normal circumstances Congress would reauthorize the gas tax so the federal government could continue to help states fix their crumbling bridges and highways.  But in this crazy time, you never know what Congress will do.

The federal gas tax is a primary source of funding for transportation for state and the federal government. Since 1993, Congress has not raised the gas tough enough to even keep up with inflation.  As a result, America’s roads and transit systems are falling into a state of disrepair. If the gas tax are about to expires states would have to make up for the loss by increasing their own gas tax in order to maintain their infastructure.

A scary scenario and the article is worth a quick read.

Council Report Shows Strong Support for CRC

Via Metro Matters:

A King County Council report indicates that almost 5,000 people have testified at hearings on the Congestion Relief Charge, with less than one percent opposing it. Along with 10,000 petition signatures, this is a huge outpouring of support.

The council will make a final vote this Monday, the 15th. They are no longer taking testimony, but the public is welcome is to attend.

Thanks to anyone who has attended a hearing, signed a petition, or called their councilmember!

Transportation as a Civil Rights Issue

Transportation is becoming one of the biggest issues in modern life. But how the funding is used to expand public transportation it’s a big concern for everyone but especially  for low-income workers and people of color.

Recent research shows that Americans make about 10.5 percent of all trips on foot, but only 1.5 percent of federal transportation funds are located to retrofitting roads with sidewalks and crosswalks, while 80 percent of federal funds go to highways.  Besides that, the cost of owning a car ($9,500 dollars per year) can eat up half the income of a family living in poverty. This wired article titled, “Transportation as a Civil Rights Issue” dives into the findings of the recent report on this topic done by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.  It is a must read.

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/07/transportation-as-a-civil-rights-issue/

Link to the report is here.

Seafair I-90 Bridge Closures

The I-90 bridge will be closed the next few days at the following times:

Today - 1:15pm-2:40pm
Friday - 12:45pm-2:40pm
Saturday - 12:45pm-2:40pm
Sunday - 12:45pm-2:40pm

Friday-Sunday there will be shuttles from the Othello station to the Hydro course.

Click here to see if your bus route is affected by Seafair.

More at Seattle Transit Blog.

Our Summer Happy Hour is Tomorrow at 4-6pm!

It is finally summer in the Puget Sound – or at least trying to be.

To celebrate the sporadic sun, instead of having our regular Friday Forum, we will be holding a Friday happy hour. Please join our members, supporters, & future members for this social event! It will be a great opportunity to bring together our friends, celebrate successes for the first half of the year, and catch up with all of you. Also, if you haven’t met our new Membership Manager, Carla Saulter (a.k.a. BusChick), you can do so on August 5th over a cocktail!

Last but not least, we will be announcing some exciting news at the event.

The event is free (though donations are always accepted), and TCC will buy appetizers, but you are on your own for drinks (unless you can get a friend or stranger to buy you one, of course).

WHAT: TCC August Happy Hour
WHEN: Friday August 4-6pm: drop by whenever you can
WHERE: The Triple Door Musicquarium Lounge 216 Union Street, Downtown Seattle

Please RSVP here so we know how many people to except!

Carla Saulter Featured in Family Transit Workshop this Saturday!

King County's get in motion campaign is hosting a family transit workshop with TCC employee and transit rockstar Carla Saulter (buschick) as the headliner. 

Don't miss this exciting education event!

Learn about what to carry, how to
know where the bus is going and
when it will arrive, how to keep
kids entertained, and more!

Details: This workshop will be a casual, kid-friendly discussion
group with healthy snacks provided. Free family Zoo passes (good
for 2 adults and 2 children) will be given to the first ten families
who arrive. All participants will receive a family transit guide to
take home.

When: Saturday, 8/6, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Where: Central Area Motivation Program (CAMP)
722 18th Ave, Squire Park
COST: FREE!