All Out Against MUNI Cuts and Hikes!

Media contacts:
Beatriz Herrera, POWER, (646) 400-3537
Forrest Schmidt, ANSWER, (415) 596-7009

MORE (Muni Operators & Riders Expanding) Public Transit

Press Conference
Wed., May 5, 12 Noon, City Hall Steps (Polk St.)
Drivers and Riders Unite to Say: No Service Cuts!

MORE (Muni Riders and Drivers Expanding) Public Transit Coalition made up of low income families, youth and elderly organizations in San Francisco have united with Supervisors David Campos and Jon Avalos to organize a press conference and rally demanding an end to MUNI service cuts, demanding MUNI seek more progressive sources of revenue, and an end to MUNI and SFPD “saturation” checkpoints on buses. In spite of spirited opposition from low income communities of color at the last MTA Budget Hearing on April 20, the MTA decided to approve the budget with a 4-3 vote calling for 10% service cuts, impacting bus lines and routes beginning May 8th.

The MORE Public Transit coalition demands that MUNI seek more progressive sources of revenue than the ones currently being proposed by MTA, which include fair increases to all Fastpasses over the next two years, increasing parking meters to Sundays and laying off drivers. The MORE Coalition suggests that such progressive revenue sources include ending the $60 million work orders to other city departments, including their contract with the SFPD that is currently costing them over $12 million per year.

“If there are going to be cuts to Muni, they need to come from the $60 million work orders and bloated management salaries. The bus drivers didn’t cause this problem. The campaign against them is a racist anti-worker distraction.”, said Frank Lara, an organizer with the ANSWER coalition.

Particularly offensive to MUNI riders and inefficient for MUNI drivers are the MTA’s extreme version of Proof of Payment, known as “saturations” where the MTA invites local SFPD to harass and intimidate passengers through their Proof of Payment operations. One rider, Jose Antonio Marenco, felt the aggression first hand at the last SFPD “saturation” raid on 16th and Mission on Tuesday April 28th, where 16 MUNI agents and 12 SFPD swarmed bus stops and buses seeking fair evaders, treating everyday people like criminals in the process. Mr. Marenco, despite carrying a Senior Pass and presenting it as his Proof of Payment, had MUNI agents screaming at him, demanding he show ID. “Do you not believe I am a senior?” Mr. Marenco replied softly, “I’ve never been treated like this in the 25 years I have riding MUNI.”

Luckily for Mr. Marenco, he was able to show ID. Passengers who do not show ID within a “saturation” raid are referred to SFPD and can face arrest. MUNI’s Proof of Payment Program has yet to prove it is an effective source of revenue, but MUNI “saturation” raids have proven to be an effective way of slowing down bus service, harassing riders in low income neighborhoods, and increasing frustration and hostility on the bus system. The MORE Coalition, made up of over 15 organizations representing passengers and drivers, including TWU local 250A unite to say no to MUNI service cuts, demand more progressive sources of revenue and an end to MUNI and SFPD “saturation” raids!

Present: Supervisor David Campos and Jon Avalos, community organizations and speakers from POWER, Chinese Progressive Association, Senior Action Network, Chinatown Community Development Corporation, the ANSWER Coalition, Barrio Unido, the Transit Riders Union local 250A. Expect to see people with signs, banners, and pictures of Police Saturations in full force.