OPAL

Organize with Bus Riders Unite!

Saturday February 5th and Saturday February 12th
11am to 3pm

Dear AL OPAL's Bus Riders Unite, our Board and Community Organizers are getting out into the community to talk with Transit Riders the next two Saturdays February 5th and February 12th to build support for our Campaign for a Fair Transfer.  This is a meaningful way you can make a difference in our community, work for transit justice and health, and have a lot of fun with other folks who care about environmental justice.
What is the plan?  We ask everyone to meet us at the OPAL Office 2407 SE 49th Ave (at Division, Bus #4, 14, 71) by 11:00 AM.  Come early and have coffee and light breakfast with us if you like.  At 11:00 AM we will have an orientation to how we do our outreach, and then we'll head out to talk with transit riders across East Portland.  We'll meet back up at OPAL at 2:30 PM for a debrief and late lunch.
We'll be talking with transit riders about the impact of the 100,000 hours of service cuts and 10th fare increase in 10 years on their total transit experience, and sharing our community-driven solution to urge TriMet to support Bus Riders Unite! Campaign for a Fair Transfer.  All are invited to our Monday February 21st Campaign Kickoff at St Francis Parish on 11th and SE Oak.
Would you be willing to volunteer with us this Saturday or next?  Please respond to this email or call us!
Sincerely, Bus Riders Unite Leadership Team & OPAL Staff
PS - You can call Grayce Bentley, Community Organizer at 503-928-4354 or email grayce@opalpdx.org
What is the Campaign for a Fair Transfer?  Working for environmental justice in public transportation.  Our platform:
1.  Extend the Transfer Time to Three Hours.  This will:
▶  Equalize transfer time for both bus and MAX, during both weekdays and weekends, to 3 hours, providing riders more time to use transit for basic needs.
▶  Lessen the burden on transit-dependent communities. After yet another fare increase and over 170,000 hours of service being cut, those who depend on the bus to meet their needs aren’t getting what they’re paying for.
2. Provide Unlimited Transfer Time after 7pm.  This will:
▶  Support night riders who use those lines that have been cut during off-peak hours, it takes people even longer to get home from work.
▶  Give riders the respect they deserve. Riders boarding after 6pm require unlimited transfers through the end of that day’s service because it will ease the tension brought on by already being disproportionately impacted by the lack of service at night.

OPAL is a 501c3 intercultural grassroots nonprofit empowering working class communities and people of color to promote environmental and social justice.   Environmental justice is the equal protection and opportunity for meaningful involvement for all people, without regard to race, ethnicity or income, in communities where we live, work, play and pray.
OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon
2407 SE 49th Ave, Portland, OR 97216
(503)928-4354
www.opalpdx.org