Milwaukee actions hit transit cuts

Members of the Milwaukee Transit Riders Union and the Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement held a noon-time informational speak-out at Milwaukee’s Summerfest on July 9. They denounced the millions of dollars in proposed service cuts to transportation and other public services in metropolitan Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin.

Proposed are fare increases and the elimination of dozens of routes, all shuttles and “freeway flyers” to the many festivals and other events in metro Milwaukee, and bus routes to industrial parks. Although all changes would have a devastating impact on poor and working people, these cuts would be especially harmful to the African-American and Latino/a communities and to women, both riders and drivers.

Later that afternoon the Amalgamated Transit Union held a similar informational picket to oppose the proposed cuts and attempted union busting. For more information and how to assist this struggle, visit http://www.transitridersunion.org/wp/.

— Report and photo by Bryan G. Pfeifer