By Heather Merrifield
This month, Sierra Club joined with transit riders and Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, Audubon Naturalist Society, Chesepeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and Bikemore at Transit Legislative Day of Action in Annapolis.
Dozens of Marylanders rallied outside of the House building on February 12th, bringing with them signs, a megaphone, and chants calling for better public transportation funding. Activists were calling for critical funding needed to make the state’s public transportation system more safe and reliable. Maryland’s Transit system operates the MARC commuter rail, Baltimore Central Light rail and metro subway, local buses, and paratransit, is facing a large $2 billion funding cliff over the next 10 years. Instead of addressing this backlog, Gov. Hogan’s stands to actually cut vital funding even more. Attendees of the rally joined the Sierra Club in supporting SB 424, The Transit Safety and Investment Act, which had a hearing in the Senate that day. Over 40 people and organizations sent testimony in favor of the bill! The bill would avert the MTA funding cliff by providing on average a $123 million annual increase for MTA funding over the next six years.
Following the rally, the activists met with their legislators to urge them to support the bill and joined the crowd gathering in the House for transit caucus night. Transit Caucus night was an event where constituents talked to their legislators in the Transit Caucus on their concerns relating to public transit. By the start of the caucus, the room was packed with constituents. The night was filled with testimonies delivered earnestly by concerned citizens sharing their stories about how they are affected by the current public transit system. From students to union representatives to concerned mothers and residents with disabilities, all participants had important important points about why funding transit is so critical.
The open quorum concluded with Dr. Nishanth Khanna’s fervent call for the improvement of these public works for the sake of the health of all Marylanders. His warning was clear: the health of our state is at risk. Maryland has too many cars on the road and transportation is the number source of climate emissions. As a physician, Dr. Khanna is deeply, painfully aware of the adverse effects that emissions have on the human body. Maryland ranks far too high in rates of respiratory illnesses like asthma, and premature death due to air pollution. These issues will only compile if the state fails to turn a corner and move decisively toward greener solutions, including properly funding public transportation. Strong public transit systems cut traffic congestion and climate pollution and connect people to jobs, recreation, healthcare, and education.
Check out some of the speeches delivered by activists at the transit rally here.
For more information and events check out the Sierra Club Calendar. You can support the bill by calling your legislators and signing our petition here.