As part of Stand Up 4 Transportation Day (National Transportation Infrastructure Day), Long Beach Transit (LBT) will host two free events on Thursday, April 9, a press conference at 10:00AM at the Queen Mary Events Lot and a community rally from 11:00AM to 2:00PM at Promenade Park in downtown Long Beach. Both events are open to the public.
On 1st St., between Long Beach Blvd. and Pine Ave., the community will be provided lunch, music, commemorative giveaways and information on how the public can Stand Up 4 Transportation. LBT Deputy CEO, Debra Johnson, will attend to lead the rally. Stand Up 4 Transportation is a day to call attention to transit and infrastructure needs throughout the country. LBT’s rally will seek to hear out public opinion on our City’s needs regarding, not just buses, but other facilities, roadways and bridges.
The current transportation funding bill, entitled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), was a two-year bill that authorized funding for federal transit programs administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), according to LBT. In July 2014, Congress decided extended MAP-21 provisions until May 31, 2015. There is now a petition to convince Congress to pass a long-term bill.
The online petition, which you can sign by clicking here, reads, “Only comprehensive, long-term federal funding will enable us to repair, maintain, and adequately expand America’s public transportation, roads, bridges, ports, and rail systems to help bring our national transportation system up to speed with the 21st century. Short-term, inconsistent funding slows progress and costs America’s taxpayers more in the long run.”
Long Beach Transit CEO, Kenneth McDonald in a statement, “The economic benefits of infrastructure investment far outweigh the dollars invested. Predictable funding leads to long-term growth planning, new jobs and sound infrastructure here in Long Beach, our region and throughout the country. We need everyone’s support to urge Congress to pass a long-term infrastructure bill.”
Speakers at the media event will include Long Beach Transit CEO, Kenneth McDonald; Long Beach Transit Board Chairperson, Barbara Sullivan George; Congressman Alan Lowenthal; Congresswoman Janice Hahn; Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell; Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia; Orange County Transportation Authority Board Chairperson and Irvine Mayor pro tem, Jeff Lalloway; Long Beach Airport Director, Bryant Francis; and Los Angeles County Municipal Operators Association Chairperson and Culver City Bus Transportation Director, Art Ida.
LBT encourages the community to participate in both events. More information is available by visiting LBT’s website here. To contact LBT Customer Service with questions, please call (562) 591-2301.
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