BART seeks input from minority, low-income communities

After the 2009 New Year's murder of Oscar Grant and the Obama Administration's withholding funds from the Oakland Airport Connector over civil rights violations, BART wants to reach out to poor people and communities of color.

Here are a few dates you may be interested in: OAKLAND Monday, April 5 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Mandela Gateway (across from West Oakland BART) 1350 7th Street Tuesday, April 6 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm San Antonio Community Ctr. (near Fruitvale BART) 2325 East 12th Street BERKELEY Friday, April 9 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm South Berkeley Senior Ctr. (near Ashby BART) 2939 Ellis Street

"BART will be making sweeping improvements to the way it reaches out to minorities and other underrepresented communities before raising fares, changing service significantly or implementing other transportation decisions that affect riders," BART's website says. The agencies is holding a series of meetings to "ask these typically underrepresented communities the most effective ways BART should reach out to them so agency officials have a better understanding of their needs before making major transportation decisions."

Earlier this year, BART was found to be out of compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Environmental Justice regulations by the Federal Transit Administration. To get into compliance, BART must carry out a four-part Corrective Action Plan that includes developing a Public Participation Plan for whenever it plans a major change in service or fare.

"We want everyone to have the opportunity to shape BART's future. After all, BART belongs to the people of the Bay Area, and it's imperative our public outreach process reflects the diversity of the people who live here." James Fang BART Board President

"As the BART district continues to grow and become richer with its diversity, we are looking for ways to expand and improve our outreach to minorities, women and other underrepresented communities particularly when we have significant changes to service or implement transportation decisions that affect all our customers," BART Board President James Fang said in a BART press release. "The goal of these meetings with these underrepresented communities is to renew our contact with them and listen to their recommendations on how to further enhance our outreach process so they are aware and a part of major transit decisions by BART. We want everyone to have the opportunity to shape BART's future. After all, BART belongs to the people of the Bay Area, and it's imperative our public outreach process reflects the diversity of the people who live here."

Posted in: justice,oakland