Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable transportation, equitable planning policies and practices, and strong communities in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

TSTC was launched in 1993 by 13 collaborative groups within the Tri-State region to work at the intersection of transportation, urban planning, and the environment. Since our establishment, TSTC has continued to alarm that our mobility options deeply impact public health, economic access, quality of life, and environmental health. Worsening car dependence in the metropolitan area continues to create social inequities that must be addressed.

Over ten million New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut residents rely on public transit as part of their daily commutes. Mobility is essential, and everyone deserves the ability to access public transportation. We fight every day to make sure that turnstiles and bus stops are gateways to opportunities for all. Our work focuses on communities that face disparities in transportation equity.

Your support this Giving Tuesday will aid in two important areas of our work. Our Bus Riders Councils in New Jersey and Westchester County serve as a critical means to elevate the voices of NJ Transit and Bee-Line bus riders, raising awareness of the issues riders face on a daily basis and advocating for improvements that will enhance their livelihoods.

The New Jersey Transit Bus Riders Council was established in 2018. The council originally started as a space for riders to talk about their lived experiences with NJ Transit. Riders have told countless stories about infrequent bus service, outdated bus routes, operators who are not able to accommodate rider's accessibility needs, and bus stops that have no amenities to protect riders from the elements or make riders feel safe. These discussions laid the foundation for the Bus Riders Bill of Rights, a ten-point bill that would legislatively mandate a higher standard of service delivered to NJ Transit passengers to ensure more reliability, affordability, and accessibility for all. One of the main objectives of the council is to increase membership and build community power to pass the Bus Riders Bill of Rights.
The Westchester County Bus Riders Council was created in 2021 to raise awareness about the issues Bee-Line bus riders experience daily, such as unreliable service, antiquated infrastructure, inaccessibility, and service not matching customers' needs. In August 2022, Westchester County attempted to rush through the public engagement process for the long-awaited bus network redesign. Members of the rider's council quickly mobilized, reviewing the redesign changes, sharing it with their community, and submitting comments both written and orally to the County to ensure that public input was heard. One of the main objectives of the council is holding Westchester County legislators accountable for prioritizing improvements to public transportation, and to do so, we need to continue to build our rider base to bring more attention to the growing constituency of transit-dependent riders.

Contributing to our giving campaign will help amplify the voices of everyday people fighting for a better public transportation system. When we are able to improve transit, we are able to improve lives and improve the health of our communities and the environment. We greatly appreciate your support, big or small.

Support Our Bus Riders Councils to Increase Transit Equity!

Tri-State Transportation Campaign