[bru-info] Tell TransLink No Fare Increase for Three Years!

[bru-info at lists.resist.ca]

Now is the Time to Act Against the Fare Increase:

 Tell TransLink No Fare Increase for Three Years!

    Last week, months of grassroots organizing paid off when bus riders defeated the fare increase at the TransLink board.  The motion to go ahead to consultation on the fare increase was defeated in a narrow 6-6 vote. The fare increase would have taken $41 million from bus riders over the next three years. The victory, the second this year for the Bus Riders Union, shows the power of grassroots organizing to win concrete gains for our communities. But the fight isn't over yet! 

    On October 15th, TransLink will be "reconsidering" the proposal for consultation on the fare increase. As with the RAV line debacle, TransLink Chair Doug McCallum and his supporters on the board have shown that they are perfectly willing to bypass democratic process and bring back motions until they get the desired result. The next few TransLink meetings are critical to ensuring that the fare increase does not come back to haunt bus riders. We must continue to make our communities' demand loud and clear: No fare increase in the next three years! 

Here are 4 actions you can take to fight the fare increase:

1. Call the TransLink Directors who voted against the fare increase and encourage them to oppose any fare increase in the next three years.

(Vancouver) Mayor Campbell 873-7621    
(Vancouver) Councilor Louie 873-7743
(Vancouver) Councilor Cadman 873-7244 
(New West) Mayor Wright 527-4594
(North Van) Mayor Sharp 985-7761 
(Burnaby) Mayor Corrigan 294-7340
2. Come to the Bus Riders Union Public Meeting 

Join the BRU on October 30th, 2:30pm at the Vancouver Public Library (350 West Georgia) to celebrate our victory and strategize on where to go from here. Join the struggle for more buses and lower fares!

3. Attend the next TransLink meeting on October 15th in Port Moody at 9am. 

Call the BRU for car pooling or transit info at 604 215 2775.

4. Speak out against the fare increase at the next TransLink meeting. 

Delegations must register before 8am October 13th. Register online at http://www.translink.bc.ca/WhatsNewandBoardMeetings/Delegations/default.asp or contact the BRU for more info at 604 215 2775.

    Now, TransLink is claiming a funding crisis and pro-fare increase directors are threatening to cut bus service to make up for the loss in revenue. Meanwhile, they have budgeted over a billion dollars in public money for the RAV line. Clearly, this is not a question of funding but a question of priorities. TransLink is taking money from bus riders and working class communities, but rather than put it into increasing bus service and lowering fares, they are turning it into profits for the business interests who will profit from contracts for the RAV line.

    Bus riders must continue to organize to ensure that TransLink does not reverse its decision on the fare increase and does not make further cuts to bus service. Take action and demand that TransLink directors take a principled stand against any fare increase in the next three years as we continue the fight to lower fares.

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