Birmingham, AL -- It seems that change is the only constant for the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) and MAX transit system that it oversees. On January 5, Jefferson County representative Patrick Sellers replaced Johnnye Lassiter as chair of that board. BJCTA funding has been questionable with concerns over the extent of Homewood's budget contribution in the coming year. Adequate funding and cooperation from area municipalities are ongoing concerns for the BJCTA and community leaders. In summer, Jefferson and Shelby counties are sometimes classified as a nonattainment area for federal air standards. Many view an improved public transit system as key to improving air quality year-round and addressing related health concerns.

On Sunday, January 25, the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham (LWVGB) will  discuss the state of public transportation in the Greater Birmingham area. The  public meeting at Homewood Public Library is at 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.. A panel of transportation experts will review the factors that brought the area public transit system to its current state. They will also propose possible improvements and discuss what is needed to make those happen.

The panelists will include Shirley Worthington, longtime advocate for public transit, former director of United Way Clastran, and chairman of the Black Belt Commission Transportation Committee. Ann Dawson-August, executive director of the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, and former executive director of transit systems in other states, will be on the panel. Also, Nancy Ekberg, chairman of LWVGB's committee on public transportation issues, will be on hand.

Birmingham League President Yvonne Brakefield stated, "For some citizens of Greater Birmingham, public transit is critical to their daily lives. As their only means of transportation, they depend on it for getting to their jobs and getting to much needed health care.  The general economy is also affected when employers cannot depend on getting the people they need to the job site." She continued, "The bottom line is that when adequate public transportation is not available, the impact on the community can be severe. We want to educate the public about this situation and explore ways to improve the public transportation system."

Citizens are invited to attend this meeting to learn about the transportation system and contribute their ideas for improving public transit in the Greater Birmingham area and beyond. More information is available at the LWVGB web site at www.lwvgb.org or by calling 205 583-5000.

League of Women Voters Education Fund Mission Statement: “The League of Women Voters, a
nonpartisan political organization, is to provide funding for projects designed to inform and educate citizens on issues of government and public policy in order to facilitate their active and informed participation in government.”
 
If you do not wish to receive LWVGB press releases or announcements, please notify Jean Johnson at
jjohnson@lwvgb.org or contact the League at 205 583-5000. 

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