HAHN FOR MAYOR
18553 Ventura Blvd.
Tarzana, CA 91356
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CAMPAIGN OFFICE |
| FEBRUARY 28, 2001 | 818/705-6337 |
HAHN CALLS FOR DROPPING OF MTA BUS APPEAL
Would appoint bus rider to the MTA Board
Los Angeles City Attorney and mayoral candidate Jim Hahn today announced
his support for dropping the MTA's appeal of a federal court ruling to
require the MTA to immediately purchase 350 new buses. Hahn made his
announcement at a press conference held at the Bus Riders Union (BRU) office
where he was joined by BRU Planning Committee Co-Chair Eric Mann and other
union members.
"We have to stop spending our transit dollars fighting bus riders and spend
it on buses," said Hahn, who rode the bus from the Artesia Transit Center
near his San Pedro home to the Bus Riders Union office in the mid-Wilshire area.
"It is time that we return common sense to our transportation system. We have
to turn the MTA's priorities on their head by making buses and roads the
modes of transportation that most people in Los Angeles use the top
priority."
Hahn drew applause from Bus Riders Union members for pledging to appoint at
least one person who rides the bus to the MTA Board of Directors. As mayor,
Hahn would have four appointees to the MTA Board.
Hahn also announced that as mayor he would work with the MTA and other
local transportation agencies to implement a 'Smart Card,' which would allow riders to use multiple modes of public transit across city lines.
BRU members Mari Aguirre and Kikanza Ramsey also spoke about the need for
more elected officials to provide leadership on fulfilling the MTA's promise to improve bus service and purchase new buses. The Bus Riders Union represents over 400,000 Angelenos who ride the bus.
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