Bruins for Traffic Relief Launch Party. Source: Bruins for Traffic Relief FB Invite/Facebook
What: Bruins for Traffic Relief Launch Party
When: Tonight; 6PM-8PM
Where: John Wooden Center – Games Lounge
Why: This is the kickoff event for a newly restored Bruins For Traffic Relief. Come out to hear our platform, see how you can get involved and enjoy refreshments (aka, free food) while doing so.
BTR is not only a transit club whose mission is shared by every Angeleno stuck in traffic, without a reliable ride and every commuter, but is also a representative of urban change here at UCLA. Come and join our movement and club to make change, have fun and explore Los Angeles on the nation’s 3rd largest Public Transit System.
RSVP at bruinsfortrafficrelief@gmail.com.
[...] Bruins for Traffic Relief Hosts Re-Launch Party (Be a Green Commuter) [...]
I don’t get this club. Rail, for example, is a great alternative to driving but it doesn’t relieve traffic. The main purpose of rail is to spur real estate development. The Expo Line Westside Extension has already generated seven mega-developments along Olympic Boulevard and its still five years from being built. The Wilshire Subway will be great for UCLA students’ mobility, but its main purpose is allow more development along the route, particularly in Beverly Hills and Century City.
You are correct. Rail doesn’t necessarily relieve traffic. What it does is provide an opportunity for many more people to get from place to place than driving alone, and offers an alternative that can be much quicker than driving. Currently, people can choose between sitting in traffic in their car, sitting in traffic on the bus, weaving through traffic on a bike and breathing exhaust, or walking. Rail adds the choice of sitting on a train without traffic. I think that’s a pretty good choice, compared with the alternatives. That’s such a good choice that I want to live within walking distance of one of these rail stations to take advantage of this choice. Thankfully, there are seven mega-developments along Olympic Boulevard, so when the line is built, there will be many housing, working, shopping, and entertainment opportunities that I can take advantage of.
I’ll leave sitting in traffic in the car to someone else.
I can talk more about the club since I was a member of it while I was a student.
BTR was a response to founder Misha Silin’s 09 frustrations with the impact traffic congestion (particularly on the Westside) had on quality of life as well as his desire to become more civically engaged. (Personally, I find the second part really inspiring). The club established itself through its Measure R campaign, so there might be this perception that it is solely a transit club. But over the past year, it also planned a debate for the City Council District 5 race on-campus, organized support for Metro to go on Google Transit, AND coordinated cultural tourism events (albeit via alternative modes).
The current people in the club now are learning a lot about the nexus between transportation, land use, and local politics (there are a LOT here in Westwood). The club also provides a way for members to get civically involved, which is a part of UCLA’s mission statement (http://www.wasc.ucla.edu/cpr_endnotes/MIssion_Statement.pdf; fourth paragraph).
Long story short, OP assumes that the purpose of the club is to promote rail in Los Angeles, which is not the case. The purpose of the club is to promote things that either relieve traffic for UCLA students/staff/faculty (and Angelenos too) or improve UCLA student mobility around Los Angeles so they can explore the city and not sit cooped up in Westwood. It’s also a way to get involved with local politics and help make the city more green as well as efficient and tourist-friendly.
I would’ve liked to have attended, but unfortunately setting the time at 6-8pm means I have no way to get back home via transit, since local routes in my area stop running at 8:30. Prevented by transit from supporting transit — ironic, huh? Probably would’ve been easier for commuters to participate had BTR scheduled that on the weekend.
@Alex, Our club is not solely about rail. As a student group, we are trying to lobby for better connections to Los Angeles through multiple modes of transportation (bus, rail, bicycle, carpool/rideshare, etc)
@Chirimoya, It’s unfortunate that you were unable to attend our kick-off meeting, but it was a simple introduction to our group and its goals as a student group. You’re probably well-versed in the public transportation system in Los Angeles, seeing as you’re a rider of public transit already. We are planning some weekend events during the first few weeks of Spring quarter, if you are interested.