Move San Diego Heads To Sacramento In Support of Transportation Options

April 27, 2012 - PRLog -- Senior Polly Gillette lives in downtown San Diego without a car and wants to enjoy the activities she looks forward to in retirement. But she is frustrated at the lack of mobility options after hours. She knows this must be frustrating for those who work late downtown as well.

That’s why Polly Gillette is heading to Sacramento next week to advocate for transportation choices that will improve her car-free, active senior lifestyle.

More than 100 Californians from around the state are attending the Transportation Choices Summit and Advocacy Day on May 1 and 2, organized by the non-profit group TransForm and co-hosted by Move San Diego. The message they wish to send is simple. Californians need real transportation choices: safe, abundant and affordable options for walking, biking and transit.  

“Our economy, environment and quality of life depend on it,” said Elyse Lowe, executive director for Move San Diego. “We must improve transportation options for our region’s current residents and to accommodate the next generation of San Diegans to come.”

Policies in play at the state and federal level can help meet the need for increased transportation options in California, if upcoming decisions go the right way. The state legislature is deciding how to allocate cap-and-trade revenues that could make billions of dollars available for public needs. To help meet state and regional goals on air quality and sustainable communities, it should be a priority to invest these revenues in public transportation and healthy mobility options.

“We head to Sacramento to urge our leaders to work together to fund the transportation options that Californians need,” said Elyse Lowe.  

Next week in Sacramento, Polly looks forward to making the case in person and meeting others from around the state who share her concern for transportation choices.

“I do my part to help the environment by not driving a car. But I can’t live without a car, unless there is adequate transit. With a lack of transit service on the weekends, it really impacts my ability to get around the region, and that hurts my quality of life,” said Gillette. “I want to go to Sacramento and make a difference for all of the San Diegans who share my frustrations.”

Move San Diego is the public voice in support of effective and sustainable transportation in the San Diego region. The non-profit organizes and serves a broad collaboration of people and organizations to prioritize, fund, and implement sustainable, healthy, convenient transportation and related land use solutions. Move San Diego raises awareness of the benefits of smart transit options and how they will result in a more livable and vibrant San Diego.