[bru-info] Thousands Participate in BRU Fare Strike!

[bru-info at lists.resist.ca]

Thousands Participate in BRU Fare Strike!


Bus Riders across the region join the struggle for social justice on the bus


The Bus Riders Union fare strike, launched Monday November 14, ended successfully this Friday November 18 with participation from over 5000 bus riders. "Every day this week, BRU organizers saw transit-dependent people taking action against an inadequate transit system", says BRU organizer Zailda Chan. "Many bus riders even called our office to share with us their fare striking experiences and express support for the campaign to Lower the Fares Now: For Community Health and Social Justice."


Each day this Fare Strike Week, the momentum grew as bus riders got on the public transit system and told bus drivers they were with the BRU fare strike and were not paying to protest high fares, long waits, overcrowded buses and increased racial profiling and police brutality on SkyTrain. The bus drivers' union, CAW Local 111, sent notice to their drivers that they should not interfere with the BRU, and that their job is to inform passengers of the fare, not to enforce the fare. 


The mass-based actions of bus riders revealed the falsehood of TransLink's statements that the fare strike has no impact, and participating in the strike is "no different than walking into a store and grabbing a loaf of bread". This week bus riders refused to be labelled as criminals and took back their right to mobility and their right to access work, school, social services and to meet their most basic needs.


Another BRU organizer, Jennifer Efting, says "This week transit-dependent people, who are majority women and disproportionately people of colour and Aboriginal people, sent a clear message to TransLink and to all politicians running for the municipal elections. Transit-dependent people know the huge role that transit plays in our lives, and by collectively not paying our fare for one week of sustained action, we have successfully put transit on the table as a number one priority issue. We demand a transit system that serves our needs, and we are holding politicians accountable for making sure that happens through grassroots organizing".


Fare strike week wraps up today, Friday November 18, with a rally at Broadway and Commercial (North-East corner) at 6:30pm. Come out and show your support for grassroots organizing on eve of the municipal elections!


For more information, call the Bus Riders Union at 604-215-2775 or email bru at resist.ca
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