FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2009

Contact: 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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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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