Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Bus Riders Union To Protest Metro Service Cuts Today

metro-bus-daily-grind.jpg
Photo by RobeRt Vega via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Members of the Bus Riders Union will be present at today's City Council meeting to speak out about their objections to the most recent round of Metro service cuts to bus lines. Those cuts will go into effect this weekend, and find numerous lines eliminated, shortened, or merged with other lines.

Additionally, members of the group intend to hold a protest "outside a Federal Transit Administration regional office," reports the Daily News.

Why is the BRU getting involved? They believe that the cuts affect "low income people and people of color who rely on the bus to get around," according to BRU organizer Sunyoung Yang.

The group has already "filed a complaint with the Federal Transit Administration civil rights office, which plans to conduct an on-site review of MTA bus operations in mid-July."

Metro approved the cuts in March, and maintain that they are based on low ridership and a focus on greater efficiency, as well as their emphasis on enhancing their rail service offerings.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today