Background:

The T Riders Union (TRU) is a grassroots membership organization of MBTA riders fighting for better and equitable public transportation service in Boston's lower-income communities and communities of color. TRU organizes riders to make public transit more accessible and affordable for everyone. TRU has been using ODB for more than two years to track member levels (based on how active they are) and different committees members are involved in. We also track member demographics and issues or areas of concern.

On the Move (OTM) is a regional coalition for transportation justice and livable communities, led by groups in low-income neighborhoods and neighborhoods of color in Boston. Some are membership organizations and (individually) are members of TRU. This group includes advocacy groups, health centers, environmental groups and other community based groups. The Coalition was formed about two years ago. OTM member information was kept in an Access database.

In the summer of 2003, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) proposed a 25% increase in fare, system wide, without service improvements or addressing the equity issue within the system by providing bus-to-train transfers. In opposition, the On the Move coalition and TRU formed the Beat the Fare Increase Campaign, calling on OTM member groups, other nonprofits and community groups, students, TRU members, and other MBTA users. We recognized the need to broaden our reach with organizing and public education as well as to work with and mobilize allied groups and individual riders together to have an impact on decision-makers.

To do this, we created ways for people and groups to get involved with the campaign at different levels. We set up ways to communicate and share information with people as quickly and effectively as possible. Some challenges included making sure the appropriate people were getting the same information and knowing whom we could call on for what, as needs for feedback and actions developed.

Using our Database: (ODB version 0.9.3b)

• Tracking participants in Action Network, including level of participation
• Tracking participants on Strategy Team, including level of participation
• Tracking members involved in planning actions, including level of participation
• Tracking participants on Negotiating Team
• OTM member groups. Including specific levels of involvement; official members, supporters, steering committee and their level of participation in the campaign
• TRU members and volunteers on various committees

Measures of Success:

• Beat the Fare Increase Organizing: More than 30 groups endorsed campaign position statement; more than 2,600 signatures on a petition; reached out to more than 700 people who attended the dozen public hearings on the fare increase; brought out more than 150 supporters for a March on Washington Street on the anniversary of the Civil Rights March on Washington in August 1964.
• Beat the Fare Campaign Victories: Bus fares would not be raised to $1.00 as planned but would be kept to 90 cents; MBTA agreed not to raise fares for at least another two years; Rider Oversight Committee will be established, where for the first time, riders will have a direct connection to the MBTA General Manager and Secretary of Transportation. In addition, there were a number of process changes and additions that allowed for more hearings, public comment and information sharing; including a more effective Fare Policy Statement.

Prepared by Khalida Smalls for the Grassroots Use of Technology Conference, March 13, 2004, Organizers' Collaborative