In March, Congress passed the CARES act, a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill. $25 billion of this sum went to transit agencies. Moving into August, it is clear that previously allocated federal emergency funds will not sustain transit losses. More funding needs to be allocated to transit to ensure that jobs are not lost, essential workers can continue to commute, and our communities will not be stranded as economies reopen.

Public transit is critical to rebuilding our economies after the devastating effects of COVID-19. California currently faces a $3.1 billion deficit going into the next fiscal year. Please take a moment to ask Senator Feinstein and Senator Harris to advocate for an additional $32 billion for transit-related funding through 2021.

Currently, cars generate 69% of the greenhouse gas emissions caused by transportation. The usage of public transport helps reduce these emissions by being able to move more people using fewer vehicles. Failing to fund and support our public transit systems will lead to more cars on the road and, thus, would increase GHG emissions.

As the economy reopens, more drivers will take to the roads, leading to a decrease in air quality. Air quality is especially important in the midst of a pandemic. COVID-19 frequently attacks blood vessels in the lungs, putting a strain on one’s respiratory system. Decreasing air quality could lead to more severe cases and possibly more deaths.

Many essential workers rely on public transit to commute to jobs that keep our economies running. These workers simply do not have the option to work from home. California has the largest economy in the country. To continue this legacy, we must provide functioning public transit systems to our citizens and the workforce.

We cannot deny the ties between public transit and racial inequity. Asian-American and African-American workers use public transit to commute at a rate four times that of White workers. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation disproportionately affect communities of color.

Public transit cannot be overlooked if we are to recover from the wreckage left by COVID-19. With your help, we can ensure that our transit systems remain viable. Please contact your Senators today and let them know that you support funding for transit to help provide jobs, support essential workers, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.