At the BART outreach meeting on June 16, 2010, at El Ranchero, BART presenters solicited community input on two issues. BART suggested that $2.3 million surplus be given back to the community in some way. They asked for suggestions and the group consensus was that the money be spent to improve the cleanliness of the trains. People were concerned that a near term decrease in fares would need to be followed by a future increase in fares.
BART presenters asked the community to decide what constituted a Major Service Change. BART presenters suggested that the definition of Major Service Change would be used to define the trigger for future outreach required for fare changes or system expansion. BART collected a survey filled out by the group who came to the meeting.
The people in attendance were generally puzzled about the significance of the definition of a Major Service Change.
By Denis Cuff, Contra Costa Times
BART wants to hear your ideas about how to assure that future changes to fare and service are fair and just to all. View Full Story
1 comment:
TITLE VI OUTREACH FUNDS WELL-SPENT BY BART
Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) - Saturday, July 31, 2010
Author: Bryan Balch
I'm sending you this letter to the editor in response to June 25 article by the Times on the cost of BART's Title VI outreach.
As Monument Community Partnership 's executive director, I work with stakeholders to build a community that cares and influences what happens in the Monument neighborhood here in Concord.
I was impressed by BART's effort to include the Monument community in decisions about changes to their fares and policies that will impact us for years to come.
BART has committed to wholeheartedly embracing the federal mandate (through Title VI) to include minority, low-income and non-English speaking residents in the decision-making process.
The cost to the community of not participating in these far-reaching decisions would potentially be greater than the amount BART spent to make accessible and inclusive meetings.
The funds spent on translators, child care, food and centrally located venues allowed more community members to participate and, in the long run, prevented the possibility of costly lawsuits or lost federal funding.
Community members appreciated having their opinions heard. BART used nearby locations that MCP recommended.
BART pleased the community returning to share its conclusions after the initial meetings and verifying those results agreed with what we'd said. BART showed a commitment to open communication with the communities they serve.
BART's outreach went beyond communicating. its flexibility with meeting locations, provisions for interpreters and child care demonstrated its desire to connect with the community. We look forward to a lasting working relationship.
Bryan M. Balch is executive director of the Monument Community Partnership in Concord.
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