FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 1, 2010

CONTACT:
Graham Brownstein, 916-478-1088
Terry Preston, 916-446-9255

Coalition Rallies to Urge CA’s U.S. Senators to Support Emergency

Relief for Public Transportation Crisis

Federal Aid Bill Would Restore Bus and Light Rail Service,
Hold Down Fares and Preserve Jobs

Sacramento, CA -- The Transportation for America coalition today joins forces with the new
national Save Our Ride transit campaign to rally at the federal building, calling on Senators
Boxer and Feinstein to take swift action on behalf of public transportation riders and workers in
California and nationwide.

Transit agencies across the nation face devastating budget shortfalls in the economic downturn,
resulting in disastrous service cuts, fare hikes, and layoffs. Sacramento Regional Transit has
slashed service equivalent to a third of its budget – thus threatening the region’s economic
recovery by limiting access to employment opportunities for transit riders and eliminating transit
jobs.

Local Transportation For America partner organizations will take the podium alongside national
leaders in transportation justice, including the Reverend Jesse Jackson of the Rainbow PUSH
Coalition; Warren S. George, president of the International Amalgamated Transit Union; and
James C. Little, president of the International Transport Workers Union.

“Every time service is cut, more Sacramento residents lose their lifeline to jobs, groceries, and
health care,” said Constance Slider, program director at the Coalition On Regional Equity, a
coalition of 22 housing, labor, environmental, senior, and social justice organizations. “Service
cuts hurt transit workers and riders alike, and we call on our Senators to act now to protect transit
jobs and improve transportation equity with operations funding that will bring our buses and
trains back online.”

Federal legislation recently introduced by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) would help Sacramento
Regional Transit meet its $25 million budget shortfall. S. 3412, the Public Transportation
Preservation Act would provide transit agencies with $2 billion in emergency assistance for
operating expenses necessary to restore major reductions in transit service and to hold off future
fare increases due to decreased state or local funding. S. 3412 would bring an estimated $8.8
million to the Sacramento region.
The dire situation facing transit systems across the country – as they are forced to lay off
workers, raise fares and cut service – highlights the critical need for Congress to pass the
transportation authorization bill this year to address America’s need for transportation options
that are safer, cleaner, smarter, and work for us all.

“Without a functional transit system, many members of our community are forced to choose
between taking on the expense of driving, or giving up jobs and educational opportunities
because they can’t get there,” said Charles L. Mason, Jr., president and CEO of Ubuntu Green, a
local community-based organization dedicated to promoting healthy, sustainable, and equitable
communities through advocacy, education, and community empowerment. “If Congress wants
to help the economy recover and reduce our dependence on oil, then transit is a sound
investment. Transit jobs are green jobs that also enable people to get to work. It’s a win-win.”

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TRANSPORTATION FOR AMERICA (T4) is the largest, most diverse coalition working on
transportation reform today. Our nation’s transportation network is based on a policy that has
not been significantly updated since the 1950’s. We believe it is time for a bold new vision —
transportation that guarantees our freedom to move however we choose and leads to a stronger
economy, greater energy security, cleaner environment and healthier America for all of us.
We’re calling for more responsible investment of our federal tax dollars to create a safer,
cleaner, smarter transportation system that works for everyone. www.t4america.org