DC Students Join Campaign Against DC Bus Privatization

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Students from the Cesar Chavez Public Charter School joined the call to oppose privatization of DC bus lines at an April 26 DC City Council committee hearing on the issue. Chavez students wearing badges that said "Please Don't Privatize My Ride" testified at the hearing, along with community leaders and ATU local 689 members who oppose privatization of 20 bus lines in the District. The students, who use public buses for transportation, urged riders to tweet their concern at #dontprivatizemyride.   “Research shows that public transportation in the hands of private interests may result in unregulated fares, route changes, changes in the hours of operation and reduced services for riders who live in areas deemed ‘not profitable’” said Nikki Lewis, Executive Director of DC Jobs with Justice. Critics say that the private Prince George’s County bus system often leaves late night restaurant workers, service workers, cleaning crews, and other “invisible” workers stranded at night and weekends. 

- report/photo by Lillian Walker Shelton