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From YouTube: Route 23 Bus Ride Press Availability - 3/22/22
Description
Mayor Michelle Wu, Congresswoman Pressley, former Mayor of Boston Kim Janey and Roxbury Community College President Dr. Jackie Jenkins-Scott host a media availability to discuss the fare-free bus pilot program for the 23, 28 and 29 buses, and how the program is helping Boston's local community college students.
A
B
B
Hello,
everyone
good
morning,
free
transportation
is
important
to
me
because
it
assists
with
my
day-to-day
living,
of
course,
being
able
to.
It
helps
me
to
be
able
to
save
more
money
so
that
I
can
be
able
to
do
a
lot
more
since
I'm
a
nursing
student,
it's
not
it's,
not
always
affordable.
Of
course,
it's
gonna
take
a
lot
of
money,
a
lot
of
education,
but
it
just
helps
with
like
my
day-to-day
living
and
it
helps
other
people
around
the
communities.
B
B
It
helps
us
to
be
able
to
access
grocery
stores
and
places
that
we
can't
get
to
without
a
car,
and
it
just
helps
with
those
type
of
just
gives
us.
Resources
like
resources
to
get
around
so
free
transportation
is
very
important
to
us
and
you
guys
are
changing
the
community
by
doing
this.
Actually,
so
you
guys
are
making
a
big
difference.
I
just
want
to
say
that
so
thank
you.
C
My
name
is
alberto
castro,
I'm
a
student
at
I'm,
a
student
at
roxbury,
community
college,
free
transportation
helps
me
and
my
family,
I'm
a
dad
of
two
and
it's
tough,
even
getting
around
any
little
bit
that
I
could
save
from
even
paying
for
the
bus
fare
or
anything
that
helps
towards
saving
for
for
them.
I
want
a
better
future
for
them.
It
helps
to
put
more
money
into
our
park
in
my
pocket
to
buy
food
or
for
medication,
or
things
like
that.
C
I'm
sorry
I'm
a
little
nervous
but
yeah
but
yeah
it.
It
definitely
helps
me
and
my
family.
I
never
thought
that
I
would
see
it.
I'm
I'm
older,
so
seeing
the
free
fair,
it
tells
me
that
the
congresswoman's
advocacy
and
our
mayor's
advocacy
for
us
is
working.
We
just
have
to
speak
up
and
be
with
them.
A
Free
transportation
saves
them,
it
saves
lives,
it
saves
communities
and
we
couldn't
have
advocates
stronger
advocates
for
free
transportation
than
the
three
incredible
incredible
leaders
you're
about
to
hear
from
they
said
the
mayor
couldn't
do
this
when
she
was
running
for
office.
They
said
she
could
not
do
this,
that
it
was
a
pipe
dream
and
what
happens?
Dreams
can
become
reality.
D
Thank
you,
madam
president,
and
thank
you
so
much
andrea
and
alberto
we're,
so
I'm
so
inspired
by
you
and
so
excited.
We
are
not
just
helping
people
save
a
few
bucks
here
and
there
we're
making
an
investment
in
the
lives
that
you're
gonna
save
in
the
difference
that
you're
already
making
every
single
day,
and
we
already
see
that
is
worth
it.
D
Mayor
janie
launched
the
city's
very
first
free
bus
route
and
I'm
so
grateful
so
you'll
hear
from
her
next.
I
wanted
just
to
add
a
bit
of
detail,
because
not
only
have
we
been
able
to
expand
that
and
build
on
her
work,
we
were
also
able
to
get
the
results
back
of
the
analysis
and
the
study
that
was
done,
because
that
six-month
pilot
was
able
to
run
and
really
tell
us
in
great
detail
what
it
meant
for
families
and
what
the
the
costs
and
benefits
actually
were.
D
So
in
some
of
the
conversations
that
andrea
and
alberto
had
with
us
on
the
bus.
What's
clear
to
me
is
that
every
little
bit
builds
on
itself
every
little
bit
that
we
can
put
back
in
people's
pocket
is
adding
up
quickly,
but
it
also
just
lifts
the
burden
off
of
having
to
think
how
you're
going
to
the
mental
energy
the
effort
to
really
try
to
put
all
the
pieces
of
your
life
together.
D
D
D
But
what
we
heard
loud
and
clear
was
that
people
also
just
felt
so
much
better
about
being
part
of
community
about
being
connected
to
and
able
to
access
everything
that
boston
has
to
offer
and
not
have
to
worry
about
that
sense
of
shame
right.
If
you
step
you're
in
line
at
the
bus
already,
then
you
realize
actually
you
don't
have
enough
cash
to
get
on
or
actually
you
don't.
Your
card
isn't
filled
up
enough
to
take
this
ride.
D
That
feeling
that
additional
mental
turmoil
adds
up
to
a
lot
day
after
day
after
day
trip
after
trip,
and
so,
as
the
three
of
us
have
been
saying
for
a
long
time,
knowing
from
personal
experience,
riding
our
buses
riding
the
tee,
pushing
a
big
double
stroller
with
two
babies
in
it.
Getting
your
grandkids
and
your
kids
around
trying
to
make
sure
that
we
can
get
to
our
obligations
and
work
and
everything
on
time.
Public
transit
is
a
public
good.
D
It
is
fundamental-
and
this
is
a
city
that
has
always
stepped
up
for
the
public
good
when
boston
does
that
when
we
make
an
investment
in
our
future
and
the
ways
in
which
we
are
all
connected
to
each
other,
we
change
the
course
of
history.
We
change
the
conversation
around
the
country
and
we're
seeing
that
with
this
as
well.
That
cities
around
the
country
are
looking
to
boston
and
are
taking
inspiration
from
what
we
do,
and
it's
really
the
collaborations
between
boston
lawrence,
worcester,
brockton
here
locally
that
have
started
to
grow.
D
It
turns
out
that
when
we
choose
to
make
an
investment
in
our
people
in
our
residence
and
make
it
so
that
everyone
fundamentally
has
the
right
to
access
every
opportunity
in
boston,
that's
how
we
actually
get
to
a
city
for
everyone,
and
so
this
couldn't
be
more
important.
I'm
so
grateful
that
we
have
federal
funds
available
for
our
recovery
that
we
are
putting
to
good
use
with
this.
These
are
the
communities
along
these
bus
routes.
D
Have
been
disproportionately
impacted
by
the
pandemic,
these
are
key
economic
quarters
for
our
city,
and
this
is
where
we
are
already
starting
to
see
and
we'll
just
see
it
amplify
the
results
of
our
investments
in
opening
up
the
opportunities
and
the
the
jobs
and
the
social
activities
the
recovery.
This
benefits
the
entire
city
of
boston
when
our
communities
have
more
access
to
our
city,
so
I'm
so
honored
to
pass
it
on
to
mayor
kim
janey
who
kicked
this
all
off
and
has
been
such
a
strong
partner.
E
Good
morning,
everyone
can
you
hear
me,
it
is
a
delight
to
be
here.
I
want
to
start
by
thanking
president
jenkins
scott
for
her
hospitality
for
her
leadership
in
our
city.
I'm
so
grateful
to
you.
I
want
to
thank
our
students,
andrea
and
alberto.
They
really
have
told
the
story.
As
someone
who
grew
up
here
in
the
city,
I
relied
and
continued
to
rely
on
public
transit.
E
E
As
a
young
single
mom,
I
relied
on
public
transit,
taking
my
young
daughter
around
whether
to
school,
whether
to
parks,
whether
to
doctor's
appointments
playgrounds,
it
is
how
I
had
to
get
to
supermarkets
still
to
this
day.
People
ask
why
don't
you
have
a
car?
I
don't
own
a
car,
because
I
live
in
the
great
city
of
boston.
E
Well,
I'm
temporarily
in
cambridge-
and
I
did
take
the
number
one
bus
to
get
here
from
cambridge-
that
number
one
bus
that
our
congresswoman
rode
and
told
the
story
of
inequities
and
that's
what
this
is
about.
It
is
about
addressing
inequities
in
our
city
and
we
know
that
there
are
long
standing.
You
heard
mayor
wu
talk
about
the
disproportionate
impact.
E
E
This
was
an
issue
and
so
looking
at
blue
hill
avenue
and
the
communities
of
dorchester,
roxbury
and
matapan,
and
making
sure
that
we
could
offer
fair
free
transit
last
year
and
that
that
pilot
has
now
been
expanded
by
mayor
wu
to
continue
the
fair
free,
28
bus
to
add
the
23
bus
and
to
add
the
29
bus.
This
is
a
game
changer,
and
you
heard
why
you
heard
from
students
who
talk
about
this
in
real
time
and
what
it
means
for
them
and
their
families.
E
This
is
so
important
and
it
demonstrates
what
can
happen
when
we
work
together
when
we
work
with
the
advocates
when
we
work
with
each
other
in
elected
government,
when
we
are
making
sure
that
we
are
doing
what
is
best
for
our
community
and
those
who
have
been
marginalized
for
far
too
long.
So
I
couldn't
be
more
thrilled.
E
The
advocacy
of
our
congresswoman
and
making
sure
and
and
all
three
of
us
know
what
it's
like
to
take
public
transit
and
to
rely
on
public
transit
as
a
mode
of
transportation.
Our
students
know
what
it's
like.
My
mom
knows
what
it's
like,
and
all
of
the
folks
that
were
on
that
bus
that
got
us
here
today
know
what
it's
like
when
a
bus
passes
you
by,
because
it's
too
packed
and
they
come
doubled
up
together
at
the
bus
stop
and
they
just
pass
you
by
happens.
E
All
the
time
makes
you
late
for
work
when
black
riders
have
to
spend
64
more
hours
on
the
bus.
That
is
time
away
from
their
jobs
time
away
from
their
families
time
that
they're
not
earning
money.
This
is
a
real
economic,
racial
justice
and
environmental
justice
issue.
I
could
not
be
more
proud
and
more
thrilled
for
the
leadership
of
the
folks
who
are
standing
here
in
this
room
and
for
the
work
that
we've
been
able
to
do
together
and
for
the
way
that
mayor
wu
has
championed
public
transit
throughout
our
city.
E
I
am
just
so
thrilled
to
stand
here
in
solidarity
with
my
sisters
in
service,
who
are
doing
amazing
work
with
from
the
federal
resources
from
the
day-to-day
planning
to
make
sure
that
the
residents
of
the
great
city
of
boston
have
access
and
opportunity,
and
they
need
that
through
our
fair
free
buses
and
public
transit.
So
I'm
just
so
thrilled
to
be
here
to
celebrate
this
day
with
congresswoman
presley
and
with
mayor
wu
and
president
jenkins,
scott
and
our
students
here
and
all
of
you.
So
I
don't
need
to
say
any
more.
E
I
think
our
students
summed
it
up
nicely,
so
I
am
going
to
pass
the
mic
to
our
esteemed
congresswoman.
Congresswoman
presley
has
represented
the
seven
suffolk
dis,
no,
the
seventh
congressional
district,
so
well.
She
is
getting
resources
to
our
community.
She
is
a
strong
voice
and
a
strong
advocate
for
the
folks
of
this
community.
She
knows
personally,
like
I
do,
and
our
students
in
mayor
wu
what
it
means
to
ride
and
rely
on
public
transit
and
I'm
grateful
for
her
partnership.
E
F
So
we
thank
you
for
being
our
host
today
and
to
alberto
and
andrea.
We
thank
you
for
sharing
your
stories
because
you
know.
Ultimately,
we
would
not
be
here
worried
not
for
the
amplified
voices
of
community
who
spoke
about
how
critical
this
need
was
for
them
and,
as
I've
said
so
many
times
before.
The
best
collaborations
are
those
that
are
community
driven
and
government,
endorsed
and
invested
in,
and
so
during
the
pandemic.
F
And
given
the
impact
of
this
pandemic-induced
recession,
and
we
saw
a
government
at
every
level
being
nimble-
and
you
know
onboarding
pun
intended
in
standing
up
programming
and
policies
and
investments
that,
for
decades,
we've
been
told,
were
impossible
and
could
never
happen
and
because
of
political
will
and
courage,
that
of
of
mayor
janie
with
the
28
bus
route.
And
now
we
see
that
that
legacy
continuing
in
that
program
and
that
access
being
expanded
under
the
leadership
of
mayor
wu.
F
F
I
just
needed
to
get
to
class
and
I
I
took
it
on
as
if
it
was
like
a
moral
or
character
flaw
that
I
didn't
have
the
means
I
thought
I
did.
I
wasn't
trying
to
you,
know,
scam
or
con
anybody.
I
wasn't
I
I
thought
I
had
it,
but
I
didn't,
and
so
there
are
so
many
people
who
feel
that
this
is
a
moral
or
character
flaw.
F
F
F
Everything
you
know
were
it
not
for
public
transit,
so
many
families
would
not
have
the
opportunity
to
experience
the
vibrant
arts
and
culture.
You
know
in
this
city
to
access
our
green
space,
and
so
many
other
things.
So,
yes,
this
is
about
meeting
the
basic
needs
of
people
in
their
most
in
the
most
utility
sense,
but
it
is
also
about
that
which
I
just
spoke
about
the
real
heartbeat
and
verve
and
pulse
of
a
city,
and
that
is
true
livability
when
you
can
just
get
from
point
a
to
point
b.
F
And
it's
also
why
I'm
proud
to
be
a
co-author
of
federal
legislation
with
senator
markey,
the
freedom
to
move
act
and
it's
as
simple
and
as
as
plain
as
the
title
of
our
bill.
The
freedom
to
move
public
transit
is
a
public
good,
and
so
it
is
just
incredible
to
be
here
with
these
extraordinary
women
leaders
and
two
extraordinary
community
members
who
we
are
better
enabling
to
bring
their
contributions
to
bear
to
this
city,
to
our
commonwealth
and
to
our
country.
F
So
I
will
end
there,
but
I
did
want
to
for
the
record
just
offer
some
some
some
statistics.
Some
data
points
here.
All
of
us
up
here
are
data
nerds,
so
we
like
numbers,
but
I'm
also
a
bit
atrophied,
and
I
can't
remember
them
all
okay,
so
I'm
gonna
refer
to
my
notes
here
so
for
the
28
bus
route
under
mayor
janie,
which
was
initiated
as
fair
free
bus
ridership
increased
substantially
during
the
pilot
38
increase
since
the
start
of
the
pilot
38
percent
4
000
additional
trips
per
week
day.
F
I
also
want
to
say
that
that's
about
our
economy
too.
This
is
not
just
about
closing
the
racial
wealth
gap
which
we
must
do
and
I
care
about
having
the
most
unequal
congressional
district
in
our
delegation,
which
is
why
my
bus,
my
campaign,
centered
around
that
number
one
bus
ride,
we're
from
harvard
square
to
nubian
square
life
expectancy,
dropped
by
30
years
in
median
household
income
by
50
000.
G
D
D
Well,
the
the
28
bus
had
the
highest
ridership
of
any
route
in
the
entire
city
of
boston,
and
so
I
think
it's
undisputed,
that
we
saw
a
jump
and
boost
because
once
people
found
out
about
it,
whether
it
was
through
school
through
classmates
through
the
local
business
and
bodega
who
who
pass
on
the
word
that
a
number
of
new
people,
as
the
congresswoman
mentioned,
did
start
riding
the
bus.
You
know
it's
it's
it's
important
to
have
that
data,
it's
important
to
measure
things
and
make
sure
we
are
making
progress
and
understanding
how
much.
D
Every
additional
person
is
a
success
in
being
able
to
help
that
family
connect
to
opportunity,
but
we
know
that
the
numbers
show
that
this
has
worked
at
it's
every
pilot.
That's
been
run
across
the
country.
Every
system
that
has
introduced
fair
free
service
has
seen
a
jump
in
service
in
ridership,
and
that's
the
number
one
thing
that
we
could
be
doing
right
now
for
all
of
the
the
goals
outlined:
climate,
justice,
economic
justice,
racial
justice.
D
Right
now,
I
everything
has
to
be
subject
to
this
policy,
so
it
is.
It
is
not
my.
I
will
double
check
with
the
team
and
I'm
sure
they're
talking
about
this
at
the
hearing
right
now,
but
we
are
following
the
policy
and
so
without
an
approved
city
council,
specific
use
policy
surveillance.
The
surveillance
technology
should
not
be
used.
D
This
in
the
scheme
of
things,
the
estimates
are
a
30
million
dollar
cost
for
the
entire
mbta
system
to
replace
fares
from
riders
statewide.
It
would
be
a
60
million
dollar
cost
to
include
all
of
the
regional
transit
authorities,
along
with
that
and
that's
an
investment
right
back
in
the
pockets
of
our
community
members.
There's
legislation
that's
been
filed
at
the
state
house
for
free
bus
service.
D
There's
legislation
that's
been
championed
by
our
delegation,
the
congresswoman
and
senator
markey,
around
federal
resources
for
that,
and
so
we're
hoping
that
as
more
cities
take
this
on
and
as
we
talk
with
our
surrounding
cities
as
well
about
bus
routes
that
cut
across
multiple
municipalities
here
that
we
will
see
that
difference
and
then
it
will.
The
case
will
will
be
made
on
its
own.
I
D
D
Okay,
I'll
just
say,
for
my
part,
I
haven't
been
following
the.
I
haven't
gotten
the
chance
to
watch
any
of
the
questions
that
are
being
asked
today
or
anything
like
that,
but
just
knowing
that
this
incredible
leader
and
woman
and
trailblazer
barrier
breaker
is
seated
they're
about
to
step
into
this
role,
making
decisions
that
impact
every
single
one
of
our
communities.
D
It's
it's
incredibly
inspiring.
It's
breathtaking
and
I'm,
I
know
what
a
difference
it
makes
we've
seen
in
boston,
what
a
difference
it
makes
when
we
bring
experiences
and
change
the
possibilities
for
our
residents
with
representation
with
the
the
talent
and
the
qualifications
and
the
connection
to
our
communities,
and
so
I
am
eager
to
make
sure
that,
from
whatever
we
could
do
loud
support
that
we
can
help
put
on
the
pressure
for
this
to
happen,
and
this
all
sits
at
our
federal
level.
E
It
is
so
incredibly
important.
So
I
am
excited.
I
will
certainly
join
and
do
whatever
possible
to
make
sure
that
she
is
confirmed,
and
this
means
so
much
not
just
to
little
girls
who
are
watching
or
little
black
girls
who
are
watching
but
to
every
single
american
in
our
country.
So
that's
my
thought
on
it.
Congresswoman.
F
First
and
foremost,
I
just
want
to
acknowledge
and
and
say
how
much
I
appreciate
that
president
biden
heeded
our
calls
and
kept
his
word
that
he
would
nominate
the
first
black
woman
to
the
supreme
court
in
the
history
of
the
courts.
There
have
been
115
justices,
a
hundred
of
them
have
been
white
men
only
three
have
been.
F
F
My
bill,
the
federal
version
of
that
the
crown
act
passed
the
house
the
next
day
and
the
fact
that
not
only
are
we
very
close
to
confirming
the
first
black
woman,
but
that
she
is
wearing
her
hair
in
a
style.
A
protective
style
called
sister
locks
is
also
incredibly
an
important
and
powerful
statement.