Transportation Access
Public transit is critical to low income and disabled people. Those who do not have access to cars or are unable to drive rely on public transit to go to work, school, shop and to go to doctors’ appointments. Without public transit many people would lose access to necessary services and opportunities. Access to public transportation is very significant for low-income people, making the issue targeted against the poor and lower-class. Our transportation coalition won Sunday service, but it was thwarted by COVID-19 and the pilot was unable to be rolled out this year. Also due to shortfalls in the state budget, expanding public transit service is unlikely. Unfortunately, the MBTA proposed massive cuts to service due to loss of revenue caused by COVID-19 which will affect the many people who rely on the system for their everyday business. CSJ is part of the coalition that will work to make sure that service is added back with the recession of COVID-19; a years-long project.
Build regional transit back better — from Brockton to the SouthCoast
Thank you to our partners who are keeping the focus on making public transportation accessible in the Southcoast! In the southeastern part of the state, a range of stakeholders from Brockton to the SouthCoast gathered virtually in December 2021 to discuss regional...
“South Coast Rail Brings Access to Boston and Concern about Housing Costs”- WCAI
"It’s not just renters who could be pushed out the door. Diana Painter is deputy director of the Coalition for Social Justice in New Bedford. She says that as the rail line barrels toward completion, corporate investors are buying out longtime homeowners, marking a...
“Pressure renewed for ‘millionaire tax’ in Massachusetts” -Daily Hampshire Gazette
"The proposed constitutional amendment is needed to help funnel additional dollars into public education, public colleges and universities, and the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, and public transportation, supporters said. The proposal is being pushed by...
January Activist Meetings and the “Struggle Budget”
This month's activist meetings in New Bedford and Brockton focused on some themes we may all be familiar with - the struggle budgets of families. Both had a presentation on CSJ's Early Education and Care Campaign, outlining the convening of partners from around the...
Bus Riders United (BRU) is a group of bus riders, Community Economic Development Center, Arnold M. Dubin Labor Education Center, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 174, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1037, and Coalition for Social Justice working to expand and improve public transportation in Southeastern, MA.
BRU formed in 2011 with the platform of expanding bus service past 6:00 pm and adding Sunday bus service.
BRU HAS WORKED TO:
- increase Transparency in SRTA.
- bring back Monday holiday bus service.
- restructure the SRTA fare system.
- stop exorbitant fare hikes on Demand Response bus riders.
- extend Demand Response bus services.
- extend evening bus service on 9 SRTA routes.
- advocate for evening bus service on all routes, and Sunday bus service.
- We still have a lot of work to do to ensure SRTA , the state and federal government listens to the needs of bus riders and so we can create change for the benefit of those who rely on the bus service.
To become a member, contact the organizer, Sabrina Davis at sab.cndavis @ gmail.com