South-End, Enjoy The Ride! "This Is What Democracy Looks Like"

CDTA AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF LARGEST SERVICE CHANGE IN AUTHORITY’S HISTORY
http://www.cdta.org/news_detail.php?id=153&no_redirect=true

"As community based organization in the South-End of Albany, AVillage is very happy to partner with CDTA on the new route restructuring process,” said A Village President Willie White. “We are pleased with our new #100 route which will provide consistent and reliable access to the hospitals to get to work and to appointments. We hope that this relationship will last long into the future.” Route 100 will connect Morton Avenue and South Albany neighborhoods to hospitals and their jobs.

 

Togather We Can

After a long fight and many sleepless nights, AVillage, Inc. and Partners has "Won" the fight to get a "Bus" up Morton Avenue Hill! we Just left a meeting with The Executive Director of CDTA, he looked us in the eyes and said that "You will get your bus"...It just goes to show, if you stand up for what you believe in, the sky is the limit as to what we as a community can do when we come together!

The People Have Spoken!! An Example of a "Community/People coming together"
We can get the resources that our Communities deserves, only if we work together!

CDTA route would serve South End
http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/CDTA-route-would-serve-South-End-639937.php

AVillage, Inc., joined by Westminster Presbyterian Church, Trinity Institution-Homer Perkins Center, Inc., and Grand Street Community Arts, presented the CDTA board not only with a petition signed by more than 1,200 people, but also with the results of a transportation questionnaire.

A Morton Avenue bus will roll in the South End
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/A-Morton-Avenue-bus-will-roll-in-the-South-End-1029356.php

After two years of leaflets, petitions, neighborhood meetings, lobbying politicians and twice crashing CDTA's board meeting, residents of the South End have been assured that they'll get their long-awaited Morton Avenue bus.

"We've been on Cloud 9 since we got word. We're going to have a party," said Willie White, executive director of AVillage Inc.

"This took a lot of effort by a lot of people, but we stood up for something we believed in," White said. "This is a victory for the South End. When we join forces as a community, the sky's the limit."

The Fight Continues...We will never stop the "Fight"!!

South End residents seek a lift
http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/South-End-residents-seek-a-lift-735643.php

More than 1,300 South End residents signed a petition calling for bus service up Morton Avenue. The effort was organized by AVillage, Inc., a South End grass-roots organization. Residents have met with officials of the Capital District Transportation Authority and are increasing pressure in the hopes of finally getting a bus.

"We've been asking for a bus up Morton Avenue for 20 years and all we've gotten is lip service from CDTA," said Willie White, executive director of AVillage, Inc. and a 40-year resident of Morton Avenue. "This time, we're not going to give up. We'll keep fighting until we get that bus."

Persistence Pays Off!

Our petition for CDTA service to in the South End has paid off. We got CDTA's attention and they are willing to work with us to make sure that the residents of Albany's South End, especially the disabled and the elderly, will have a route so that they can reach their destinations easily and safely. This is God's hand at work, and we are excited and blessed to be able to help our community with their transportation needs. Thanks to all who supported our cause and signed our petition. It's because of everyone that we accomplished this. 

For those who want to see the articles in the Times Union, here is the links:
http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/South-End-pleads-for-CDTA-route-632050.php
http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/CDTA-route-would-serve-South-End-639937.php. 

Again, thanks to everyone for your continued support in our mission to help the South End community.

We Still Need Your Help!

We are still needing more signatures for our petition to get a fixed bus route on Morton Ave. This will mean so much for the residents of the South End, as well as the rest of Albany. Tell your friends, neighbors, family members, everyone! The more that CDTA sees that we mean business about this, the more they will at least consider put this route in place. Make sure you make your voices heard so that we can get the services we need as a community!