Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The LACMTA is once again proposing a number of service changes that include the elimination of bus lines. Bus Lines 190 and 194 out of Division 9 are included in the changes and set to be turned over to Foothill Transit. This elimination was originally proposed in December 2014. Through our advocacy and efforts last year, we thought we had settled the matter and protected these lines. MTA staff came back to us again this year to let us know that these lines were back on the table for elimination. This month we have already scheduled meetings with LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, LA County Supervisors, MTA Board members and the LA County Federation of Labor. Our message to everyone is the same and is clear. The elimination of these lines is bad for LA County, bad for the MTA, bad for MTA employees and is in our opinion, a violation of our contract. We will do everything in our power to protect these lines and the work of our members.

The San Gabriel Valley Service Council will make a recommendation on the fate of these lines to the full MTA Board following their February meeting. We are asking all SMART Transportation members who are able, to attend and give testimony in opposition to the elimination of these lines. The meeting details are below:

Monday, February 8, 2016 6:00pm
San Gabriel Valley
Metro El Monte Division 9 Building
3449 Santa Anita Ave.
3rd Floor Service Council Conference Room
El Monte, CA91731

Members who are unable to attend can support their Union brothers and sisters with a letter, email or fax by following the instructions below. If you choose this method, please be respectful in your comments so as not to bring discredit to the SMART Transportation Division and your fellow members.

Persons unable to attend the hearings may submit written testimony postmarked through midnight Saturday, February 13, 2016, the close of the public record. Comments sent via U.S Mail should be addressed to: Metro Customer Relations, Attn: June 2016 Service Changes, 1 Gateway Plaza, 99-PL-4
Los Angeles, CA90012-2932. Comments via e-mail should be addressed to: servicechanges@metro.net , Attn: “June 2016 Service Changes.” Facsimiles should be addressed as above and sent to: 213-922-6988.

In Solidarity,

Marco Gudino
General Chairman