|
|
| |
Home
| Public Transportation: a Bridge to Opportunity and EqualityBy Deborah Lisi-Baker, Director VCIL The Center for Community Change a national organization advocating for transportation equity, recently wrote, "The passing of Rosa Parks, a pioneer of transportation justice, reminds us of the distance we have traveled, and is a fitting occasion for a rededication to undertaking the hard journey toward justice." Americans remember Rosa Parks for her radical act as a Black woman who quietly refused to give up her seat on a city bus in Montgomery Alabama. It has been fifty years since Rosa spoke up by staying seated; and Advocates from diverse communities know that transportation equity is still a radical dream for many communities of color, individuals with disabilities and Americans living in poverty. Three years ago I met a disability advocate from Montgomery who said Rosa Parks would not be able to find a bus to ride on in Montgomery. The funds for city buses had been cut. Vermont's innovative Ticket to Ride Program in Central Vermont is scheduled to end this year because of budget reductions. The program provides funding to cover flexible transportation services to support employment, independence and participation in community services. During the last year money formerly set aside for Ticket to Ride services was used for medical transportation. People with disabilities who called transit provider asking for Ticket to Ride funds to get to work were turned away because the funding was needed for health care trips. If things go according to plan, the program will not even exist in a few months. VCDR member organizations are working to restore funding to this program and make it available in other areas of the state. A few months ago I went to a state transportation meeting where we talked about this issue. After the meeting I was told by a state official, "In tough economic times we all have to make hard personal decisions about what we can and cannot afford to do and may have to give up some less important social activities." My response was, ³That may be true, but Vermonters should not have to choose between a trip for necessary medical care and going to work.² The man walked away without responding but the person behind him nodded. How many of the people in decision-making positions who tell Vermonters with low incomes that it is time to make tough choices have to forgo their vehicles in order to balance the state's budget? Vermonters who depend on public transportation need to speak up about why it is important. Seniors who donıt drive, or who may need public transportation in a few years, need to be heard. So do people with disabilities who need responsive public transit programs and services. A new organization ROVER has been formed to help make that advocacy possible. The program grew out of VCILıs transportation task and VCIL helped the organization get started. Funding from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development the Center for Community Change, the Needmor Foundation and the Vermont Development Council RoVer has helped the new nonprofit take itıs place as a voice for transportation equity in Vermont. ROVER now has an active Board, a strong mission and a growing membership. On March 15, RoVer is sponsoring transportation day at the state house. Join other Vermonter at the Statehouse and share your story about why public transportation funding and programs like Ticket to Rideneed to be priorities. Add your voice to the call for transportation equity in Vermont. For more information, contact Susan Bandfield Abdo RoVer PO Box 1592 Montpelier VT 05601 (802)223-6655 abdo_susan@hotmail.com |