Press release from Just Economics of WNC:
In response to growing problems in Asheville transit and the frustrations of riders and bus drivers, Better Buses Together, the local transit advocacy group, will be holding a virtual press conference on Monday, July 13, at 10 am. Public transit faces a new set of challenges since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference will outline the issues currently faced by riders and transit workers and demand the city of Asheville and the transit management company work to find immediate solutions to the urgent needs surrounding inadequate health and safety practices, transparency, communication with the public, suspended routes and hazard pay for drivers which have not been addressed.“The stress of being short drivers prior to COVID-19 has been compounded as we do our best to maintain social distancing to protect ourselves along with our riders. This is a top priority for drivers but our work during this time has become increasingly frustrating and stressful because of the management and the city. We are the essential, frontline employees getting tax paying citizens where they need to go. We have been there since day one.” says Diane Allen, bus driver.“The transit system is the only means of transportation for many Asheville City and Buncombe County residents. The work of the transit driver in this pandemic is nothing short of the work of a hero. The City needs to hear the voices of drivers and riders and move forward with making immediate improvements to transit” says Carmen Ybarra, Community Organizer with Just Economics and Better Buses Together advocate.
The press conference will take place at 10 a.m. over Zoom and will also be livestreamed on Facebook Live. To register for the press briefing, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvduupqT0tHdxlKO8DsVGFBfQLO7Ibyc3E. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the conference.
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