To get Congress’ attention, America says #StandUp4Transportation
On Thursday, transportation advocates around America gathered to send a message to Congress: Pass a new surface transportation bill, and fix the nearly-broke highway trust fund. Advocates used the hashtag #StandUp4Transportation to get the message out.
All over the US, public officials helped get out the message by riding transit:
Took the R train this morning with @deBlasioNYC & NYCDOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. #StandUp4Transportation pic.twitter.com/5O5dGl77er
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 9, 2015
Marked #SU4T in Chicago’s Union Station w/ @RTA_Chicago @Amtrak @Metra @cta @PaceSuburbanBus, & local leaders pic.twitter.com/2TPya1SCC5
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) April 9, 2015
Locally, Capital Bikeshare, VRE, and Alexandria’s DASH bus got in on the action.
Taking a tour of the Capital @bikeshare headquarters for #StandUp4Transportation. Bikes are transit! pic.twitter.com/NyVjwyOE80
— B R E N D A N (@BrendnCasey) April 9, 2015
Make your voice be heard and stand up 4 transportation! #StandUp4Transportation #SU4T http://t.co/0dksZpsZ1k http://t.co/N2DCCKdSEJ
— DASH Bus (@DASHBus) April 9, 2015
I #StandUp4Transportation because #PublicTransit moves #DC & #Virginia forward! #SU4T http://t.co/zU63IUQ4TI. Please RT
— VRE (@VaRailXpress) April 9, 2015
So did Montgomery County RideOn, which hosted local elected officials throughout the day, including Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes.
Rep. Sarbanes: If you invest in infrastructure, you're doing the right thing for consumers, commuters, businesses… pic.twitter.com/9CxJ8lc6Ih
— Ride On Bus (@RideOnMCT) April 9, 2015
The existing federal surface transportation bill, MAP-21, expires on May 31, and unless Congress intervenes, the highway trust fund will run out of money in less than eight weeks.
Visit StandUp4Transportation.org to learn more, and to find out how you can help.