CAMPAIGN AGAINST WMATA TAKEOVER WARNS FAIRFAX COUNTY BOARD IS ‘THROWING TAXPAYERS UNDER THE BUS’

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
March 26, 2009 Ajeenah Amir ajeenah@mckpr.com
202-833-9771
CAMPAIGN AGAINST WMATA TAKEOVER WARNS FAIRFAX
COUNTY BOARD IS ‘THROWING TAXPAYERS UNDER THE BUS’
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has planned an estimated $8.5 million
takeover of Metrobus routes at the expense of vital services and increased taxes
for Fairfax residents. The multi-million dollar price tag includes costs for the
purchase of new buses and in the first year of operation, costs are projected to
be $137,000 above annual spending currently incurred by the Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
The County Board’s projected takeover would give the service to a subsidiary of
a French corporation and result in dramatic income loss and down-sizing of jobs
currently held by Washington Area residents. The Board’s decision comes as
the County struggles with a $650 million dollar budget shortfall which may result
in potential cuts in essential services including police, fire, schools and transit.
The 2010 budget also calls for eliminating fifteen other bus routes, decreasing
bus frequency on nine routes, and ending weekend service on one route. The
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 has launched a campaign to defund the
proposed takeover that is being considered by the Board in the current budget
negotiations.
ATU Local 689 president Jackie Jeter called the Board’s plans fiscally
irresponsible. “The County Board made a mistake when they voted to proceed
with this takeover. Now that they have the facts, they can do the right thing. The
Board cannot throw County taxpayers and ATU members under the bus,” Jeter
says.
“Under the Bus” is the theme of a full page ad published in several Fairfax
newspapers today. Union representative Craig Simpson says members will hold
an informational picket on March 30th outside the County budget hearing before
presenting testimony to the Board. Simpson adds that union members and
supporters have also begun an e-mail campaign urging the Board to stop the
takeover.
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2. The union maintains that if the Board replaces Metro with a private contractor the
economic squeeze being felt by area residents and workers will worsen.
“Fairfax County needs to level with the public—the math just doesn’t add up,”
says Simpson. “This plan is all pain and no gain—for taxpayers, riders and the
workers.”
The takeover of Metrobus routes 2W, 12 and 20 serving the Oakton, Chantilly
and Centreville areas and the Vienna Metrorail station is planned for June 2009.
The 2010 budget also calls for eliminating fifteen other bus routes, decreasing
bus frequency on nine routes, and ending weekend service on one route.
County budget hearings and deliberations will be held March 30-April 1, 2009
and budget approval is scheduled for April 27, 2009.
For more information go to www.atulocal689.org
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