What We’re About
The working class deserves a right to mobility. For decades our public transportation systems have been plagued by budget cuts and reduced service, making it difficult to access our cities.
The People’s Transit Alliance is an East Bay DSA project fighting for a public transit system that serves the people, both riders and workers. We are organizing for public transit systems that working-class people deserve. This means green and fare-free transit, good union jobs, and an accessible transit system that prioritizes the transit-dependent ridership.
Origin
PTA emerged from Jovanka Beckles’ successful campaign to be elected AC Transit Board member in November 2020. AC Transit is governed by a democratically elected seven-member board of directors that determines all questions of policy for the bus system. This includes setting service levels, routes, and fares, as well as labor contracts for AC Transit workers.
We knew that having a progressive candidate representing a progressive agenda could be transformative for this transit system. We formed a movement and class struggle-based campaign where we engaged additional organizers from ATU 192, the Sunrise Movement, and the Richmond Progressive Alliance. DSA’s involvement brought a new batch of socialist organizers into transit work. With huge community support, Jovanka Beckles’ was elected and we now endorse and support her work at AC Transit.
In Community
PTA also works with transit coalitions such as the Voices for Public Transportation, Bay Area activists, and progressive candidates in order to coordinate regionally on transit related issues such as restoring service to pre-pandemic levels. We bring socialist solutions and strategies to the table in any coalition we are a part of. These include working directly with transit workers and riders to build solidarity and amplify their demands for frequent, safe, affordable service.
In The News
Check out these articles about us!
SF Streetsblog - “Transit Riders and Unions to MTC: Fork it Over”
San Jose Inside - “Transit Advocates are Pushing MTC to Release $1.7 Billion in Federal Funding to Grow Services”
Mercury News - “Why the Bay Area still hasn’t spent $1.7 billion in COVID stimulus money”
SF Examiner - “Transit advocates want MTC to release $1.7 billion from American Rescue Plan”
KPFA 94.1 - May 7th Evening News