Rally: Challenge Vote on BART Oakland Airport Connector

ACTION ALERT! ACTION ALERT! ACTION ALERT!

BART to make final vote on the Oakland Airport Connector
Continuing Its Practice of Ignoring Civil Rights

JOIN US FOR A RALLY AT 8:30AM

WHEN? Tomorrow! July 22nd
8:30am Rally
8:45am Press Conference
9:00am Board Meeting

WHERE? BART Board Meeting
344 20th Street (at the corner of Webster),
Oakland, CA on the 3rd Floor

Join members of Genesis, Public Advocates, TransForm and Urban Habitat on TOMORROW morning to challenge BART on its decision to proceed with the Oakland Airport Connector.

The OAC is TOO RISKY - the OAC will likely cost BART more than anticipated, siphoning off funds from the rest of the BART system that will be needed to maintain the safety, cleanliness and on-time performance of the existing system.

The OAC is TOO UNFAIR - the Project hasn't changed since the FTA found BART to be in violation of Civil Right. A less expensive alternative could be built that would bring many more benefits to East Oakland residents than the OAC in terms of transit service. BART isn't considering any.

The OAC is STILL out of compliance with Civil Rights - BART hasn't gotten FTA approval of its Equity Analysis of the Airport Connector and we don't believe they should get approval. The Equity Analysis of the OAC fails to look at those who will be most burdened by the project and least well served by the project - those living and working in East Oakland.

In spite of its desired claim to be the "Gold Standard" in Civil Rights, BART carried out an empty Equity Analysis and, simultaneously worked round the clock to find $70 million to fill the funding gap left when FTA took Stimulus funds from the project. It has made no attempt to consider an alternative project, one that might better serve residents or address the financial concerns posed by Board members and the public.

Join members of Genesis, Public Advocates, TransForm and Urban Habitat to challenge BART's actions and ask it to hold off on any decision related to the Connector until there has been a full vetting of the Equity Analysis by the Board and the public and until the Equity Analysis has been approved by the FTA. And until all issues related to the OAC's costs, the impact of those costs on the BART system and other issues related to the OAC's questionable technology are fully understood. Only then can we know whether the planned Connector is the best project for the corridor and Oakland.

The BART Board has the power to decide the Agency's future - will it take Civil Rights seriously or continue to violate them?

Lindsay Imai and Bob Allen
Urban Habitat
Transportation Justice Team
http://www.urbanhabitat.org
510-839-9510