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Speech From Our Founder, Eugene Bradley, Read At a May 1, 2003 Rally Against VTA Service Cuts and Fare Hikes

The following is a speech written by our founder, Eugene Bradley, at the May 1, 2003 protest against VTA's proposed fare hikes and service reductions for paratransit.

I deeply regret that I am unable to be here with you at this rally. Early this morning, I had to take my mother to the emergency room, thus I have to keep an eye on her all day today. Be assured, I will make every attempt possible to attend this evening's Board meeting.

I want to talk to you about how the VTA has betrayed the public trust over the last few years, and what you need to do to make VTA truly accountable to the public.

You already know about the VTA's proposed fare hikes - they have already had four fare hikes since 1981 - and how the VTA will soon propose more service cuts for ALL transit riders such that we will have a 1970's transit system in the 21st century. You also know about all of the reductions in your bus and light rail service the VTA has made over the last two years. All of this has occured since over 70% of voters approved a tax measure to improve transit in the South Bay over two years ago. Clearly we voted for more transit service - not less!

Now, the VTA now proposes to place the elderly and the disabled in danger of being a victim of assault by replacing paratransit "door-to-door" service with "curb-to-curb" service. With this proposal, VTA staff should explain how someone who is blind or who can't walk anywhere without assistance can safely access paratransit, without fear of being mugged, or worse, brutally assaulted. Don't be surprised if they don't give you an explanation. It will be obvious to you that they very likely do not use mass transit themselves. This despite the fact that 2000 Measure A - also known as the "BART Tax" - mentions the money is to be used for expanding paratransit and running other mass transit services such as buses and light rail.

It makes you wonder - "Who does VTA's management and Board members answer to?" The answer is simple - VTA's decision makers answer to no one. You cannot elect who sits on the VTA Board at the ballot box, nor can you run for a seat on the VTA Board. All VTA Board members are appointed by their city councils or the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. San Jose alone gets five of the 12 seats on the VTA Board, the County Supervisors get two permanent seats, while the rest of the cities must share the other five seats on the Board.

THIS MUST CHANGE. You already know how VTA's light rail system is a total failure. In 1995, as the Valley Transportation Authority was in planning stages, there were plans to use development fees and other funding means to ensure that transit does not totally depend on sales taxes. However, political will forced those plans to be shelved. As a result, VTA's management failed to prepare for the current recession, which you now pay for in the form of reduced service and higher fares. Worse, VTA wants to reward those who TRULY keep the system running - the drivers, mechanics, and clerical workers - with unaffordable health care costs or pinkslips.

To that end, VTA's decision makers - its Board of Directors - MUST be held accountable for failing to provide a proper mass transit system voters approved in 1996 and 2000. Because VTA is a special state district, any changes to how it is governed require an act of the state legislature.

To make that happen, you can start by calling this number - (408)299-8683. This is the number to call the County Registrar of Voters. Find out from them who represents you on the state senate and the state assembly. Write AND call your state representatives and DEMAND that they enact laws that make the VTA directly accountable to the public, the way BART and AC Transit are directly accountable to the public NOW. In addition, call Governor Gray Davis at (916)445-2841 and DEMAND that he enact a law making VTA directly accountable to the public.

Only when every commuter in the South Bay demands their elected officials make VTA direcly accountable to the public, will we get the quality transit system we deserve. Speak up now for better transit - or lose it forever.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Santa Clara VTA Riders Union

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