TRU-G To Fight Bus Route Changes

A majority of The Transit Riders United of Greenbelt (TRU-G) has agreed to press state leaders regarding a recent decision by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to alter bus routes within the city.

During its meeting Saturday at the Greenbelt Youth Center, the group voted to write two letters to Maryland's top officials: one to WMATA Inspector General Helen Lew, with Gov. Martin O'Malley slated to recieve a copy, to determine if WMATA's vote last week was legal. The Greenbelt transit group argues that the WMATA board voted to change the bus routes without an adequate public hearing.

With a 13-1 vote, the WMATA board agreed last  Thursday to make changes to Greenbelt's bus routes. During the meeting, the board members said that the revisions would improve connectivity, simplify lines and extend hours.

WMATA board member Christopher Zimmerman voted against the plan, and said that additional services to some bus lines could result in cut backs to other lines that are equally important to Greenbelt residents.

Under WMATA's adjustments, residents would no longer be able to get to the Good Luck Community Center on the bus, according to the Transit Riders' letter posted on its listserv.

"A significant number of persons in Prince George's County would appreciate an option of public transportation to ... recreation facilities than can now avail themselves of such transit," Transit Riders member William Orleans wrote in the letter on behalf of the group.

The letter is now posted to the group's listserv to allow group members to comment and propose changes to it.

In the other letter, the Transit Riders will state its concerns with WMATA's policies and say that they need to change. That letter, to be written by group member John Stith, will be sent directly to O'Malley and the WMATA board, group members agreed.