CLIFTON - With the election less than two weeks away, Congressman Pascrell (D-NJ-08) today joined Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) New Jersey State Council Chairman Ray Greaves, ATU members, transit workers, passengers and advocates at the Allwood Road Park and Ride in Clifton to mobilize riders to vote and draw attention to the vital role public transportation plays in New Jersey’s economy as part of “National Transit Voter Week.”

The week of action is part of ATU's ongoing Get Out the Vote campaign to get public transit riders to vote on November 6. The goal is to make mass transit an issue in this election and beyond.

“Many of my constituents rely on public transportation to get to and from work, the doctor, school, shops, and other daily tasks,” said Rep. Pascrell, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee who served for a decade on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "In order to keep mass transit safe and reliable, we need a robust transportation bill that pays for our highways and transit systems.  We need to help people access jobs and access commercial business districts.  We need to allow those in the cities without cars a way to get from point A to point B.  Most importantly we need to put people to work:  $1 billion invested in public transit supports and creates 36,000 jobs."

The Union estimates that one million pieces of literature will be distributed by over 10,000 off-duty members who’ll be urging riders at bus stops and rail stations to become informed “transit voters.”

“Congressional candidates will be riding public transit this week at events across the nation to draw attention to the role public transportation plays in driving our economy, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, easing traffic congestion, providing mobility for those who cannot drive, and much more,” said Ray Greaves, Chairman of the ATU NJ State Joint Council. “Public transit riders have been ignored the last couple of years by legislators who may never have actually been on a bus. This week is part of our ongoing effort to give riders a stronger voice in Washington.

"Transit ridership is higher than it’s been in decades, yet transit systems are still cutting service and raising fares because they don’t have enough money to run their service at current levels. The ATU commends elected officials and candidates all over the US who are taking a strong public stand for better mass transit and recognize the critical role public transportation plays in communities across the country. Congressman Pascrell recognizes the importance of public transit and that riders can make a real difference in this election,” Chairman Greaves continued. "Tens of Thousands of Passengers ride NJ Transit each day and that is a powerful block of voters that can impact the outcome of this critical election. People want to know –which candidates support transit? This week we will find out.”

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