[NFBWATlk] Fwd: Transit rider representation - recruitment and training for transit boards

[Kris Colcock]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Anna Zivarts <annaz at dr-wa.org>
Date: Fri, May 16, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Subject: Transit rider representation - recruitment and training for
transit boards
To: Kris Colcock <kris at colcock.com>, Marci Carpenter <Mjc59 at comcast.net>


Hi Kris and Marci,



I’m working to put together a series of online trainings and an
all-costs-paid in-person training for transit riders who live in parts of
the state covered by our new PTBA law.

Below is some more information as well as a form for people who are
interested – would you mind sharing this to the NFB of WA and NFB members
at large lists?



*Do you rely on transit or paratransit? *

*Would you like to make transit work better for your community?*



In the 2025 legislative session, Washington legislators passed HB 1418
<https://disabilityrightswa.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=10485&action=edit>
which allows transit agencies governed under the PTBA structure to appoint
two voting members to their governing boards, one who is transit-reliant
and one from an organization that serves transit-reliant communities.



These transit agency boards formerly were composed only of locally elected
officials, many of which don’t often ride transit. While many transit
agencies support citizen advisory committees (CACs) for community member
input, there is no assurance that community feedback will be incorporated
into decision-making.



Twenty-one out of Washington State’s transit agencies are governed under
this PTBA structure. These agencies include: Whatcom Transit, Valley
Transit, Twin Transit, TranGo, Skagit Transit, Spokane Transit, RiverCities
Transit, Pierce Transit, Pacific Transit, Mason Transit, Lewiston/Asotin
County Transit, Link Transit, Kitsap Transit, Jefferson Transit, Island
Transit, Grant Transit, Garfield County Transit, Community Transit,
Columbia County Transit, Clallam Transit, C-TRAN, and Ben Franklin Transit.



Why this matters:

For people who can grab their keys and drive where they need to go,
transportation isn’t a major concern. But for those of us who can’t drive
or can’t afford to, transportation access is something we think about
daily. We care deeply about how transit works because it is such a major
part of our day and can make the difference between getting to do the
things that connect us to our communities, like running errands, seeing a
friend, or getting to an appointment. Which is why we should be included in
making transit work better for our communities.



We want to hear from you!

If you’re a transit rider or work for an organization that serves transit
riders in one of the PTBA areas, please complete this form
<https://forms.gle/JChxDAemcgDs49CLA>. We are looking at hosting a series
of online trainings as well as an in-person all-costs-paid convening to
provide support and training for potential future board members.



Questions: Text or call Anna Zivarts at 206.718.8432



*Anna Zivarts*

Disability Rights Washington <http://www.disabilityrightswa.org/>

206 718 8432 (cell) | annaz at dr-wa.org

315 5th Avenue S, Suite 850 | Seattle, WA 98104

Donate to support our work <http://www.donatetodrw.org/>



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priorities. We want to hear from you!



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