For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Metro service cuts would drastically impact essential workers who depend on the transit system
ROCKVILLE, Md., December 1, 2020 — Councilmember Evan Glass will hold a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 12:30 p.m. to discuss his opposition to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) proposed FY22 budget cuts. WMATA’s proposal would create 30-minute wait times for Metrorail on weekdays, close the rail system all weekend, and eliminate nearly half of the Metrobus service routes.
A recent report from the Montgomery County Office of Legislative Oversight commissioned by Councilmember Glass found that nearly 80 percent of the county’s Ride On bus riders are people of color and 44 percent of riders have a household income of less than $30,000. The demographics of Metrobus ridership are nearly identical.
Councilmember Glass will be joined by essential workers, labor unions and transportation advocates to call on WMATA to halt its proposed service reduction cuts.
WHO:
Montgomery County Councilmembers
1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
CASA
Coalition for Smarter Growth
Action Committee for Transit
WHAT: Press conference to call on WMATA to halt proposed service cuts
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: For Zoom link, please email Councilmember Evan Glass’ Chief of Staff, Valeria Carranza at Valeria.Carranza@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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Release ID: 20-474