Southern California Transit Advocates was created
to discuss issues, disseminate information, advocate, support and
encourage all measures and policies deemed necessary for the creation
of a truly adequate transit system chiefly throughout the five county
Los Angeles metropolitan region.
Our goal is to pursue and achieve results through advocacy, policy analysis, outreach and education:
Public Affairs Advocacy and Policy Analysis
We interface with the public, transit agencies and
other government agencies in the pursuit of better public transit. In addition, we conduct policy
analysis on a planning issue or political, environmental or social issues
related to public transportation, focusing on southern
California concerns with particular emphasis to Los Angeles County
and adjacent regions.
We also involve ourselves in the public process around the restructuring of transit services and other service improvements
with necessary actions such as activism, comments at public hearings and before transit agency boards, position papers and knowledgeable speakers at our meetings.
Outreach and Education
We outreach to other community groups and provide education to
the general public on the use and benefits of public transit. Involvement
with the business community as well as environmental and social justice
groups is also part of our outreach program.
Coalition-building among other community groups is vital to our
visibility as an organization that not only supports transit riders
but also non-riders and other civic members, seeking to make a livable
community through better transportation options.
Publications and Media Relations
SO.CA.TA publishes the Transit Guide, which is the rider's manual for
access to public transit in Southern California. Position papers and other recommendations are made available
for publication for general or professional use and civic benefit promoting
public transportation. We contribute opinion articles and letters to the editor to the major newspapers in the region. Our newsletter, the Transit Advocate, is our primary
platform in which our transit advocacy efforts are reported.
Our website is used both as an educational tool and as a forum for
transit advocacy in the region. Many discussions and debates take
place on our discussion board.