MEDIA ADVISORY: Better Buses Press Conference

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 29, 2016

CONTACT
Pete Tomao
516-318-0605 (cell)
pete@smartergrowth.net

What: Montgomery County bus riders, Montgomery County Councilmembers, and Montgomery County transit advocates will hold a press conference to highlight the need for increased funding in the upcoming budget to ensure better bus service for all residents. County officials will accept petition calling for better bus service from county bus riders.

Where: Rockville Metro station, east entrance

When: March 3rd 2016, 8:35am – 9:15am

Visuals: Young mother with baby discusses why better buses are important to her. Bus reliant resident talks about how better bus service improves quality of life. Transit users present Montgomery County elected officials with 1,000 signature petition. Brief remarks from Council Vice President  Roger Berliner, and Councilmembers Marc Elrich, George Leventhal, Hans Riemer.

Montgomery County elected officials accepting petition outside of busy, active bus bays and Metro Station.

Why: Parts of the DC area have some of the worst traffic congestion in the country and many residents have a growing problem with easy access to good paying jobs. Our transit system should be a solution to these problems but a lack of investment has slowed us down. To address problems of congestion and growth the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed the BRT Master Plan in 2013. However BRT study funding is set to expire and no next steps for BRT, or better bus service, were identified in the proposed transportation budget. This Thursday Councilmembers and riders stand together in a show of support for this vital system. It is important that next steps are developed to ensure that Bus Rapid Transit and better bus service become a reality. This petition speaks to the demand for better transit.

About the Coalition for Smarter Growth:
The Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading organization in the Washington DC region dedicated to making the case for smart growth. Its mission is to promote walkable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities, and the land use and transportation policies and investments needed to make those communities flourish. Learn more at smartergrowth.net.