Bus Riders Union of Austin, Texas | El Sindicato de Pasajeros

The following is a report from one of our members who has been participating in the Downtown Street Closure Task Force meetings. We will be talking more about this at the next meeting, so bring good ideas that we can pass along to the task force.

From SG:

The following is what I said to the Task Force concerning the downtown special events:
"The lives of the people who live and work in Austin should not continually take second place to special events held in the central part of the city. I ride the city bus. EVERYTIME there are special events the buses are on detour; and we, a city of over one million people, are told to "Expect delays."
I have been late for work and late getting home from work because of detours and delays. This past Labor Day, I missed a full day of work because the bus that I needed downtown DID NOT SHOW UP AT THE DETOUR!!! Being
misinformed and uninformed of detours happens quite often. I have been unable to attend church services downtown because of activities downtown. I have also walked seven and more blocks to church because the bus detoured. It is frustrating and scary being in downtown
Austin at night not knowing when and if I'll get home. Some of these events are are big parties for some BUT NOT FOR me!!! The Bikers' Rally (for instance) is a long weekend of noise pollution; not only in downtown but in residential areas. The news media mentions the
millions of dollars made by these events; but the money loss, the man hours loss, and the business loss is never considered.

Our lives should not continually by put on hold. I am sure others can add other pertinent ideas to what I have already spoken about.

1)Because the University of Austin in downtown, there should not be other activities downtown on the same weekends as UT football and basketball games.
2) Marathons and races should be held in areas
other than downtown. perhaps other members can think of certain others areas.
3) Buses should have the Same detours at ALL TIMES.
4) The livlihoods of citizens should take precedence over the almost weekly disruptions.
5) The continual disruptions in bus service during
special events is even more impairing to the blind and mobility impaired.
Thank you, I will let the Bus Riders Union know the date of the next task force meeting.