[bru-info] **For Immediate Release**: TransLink Policies Create Safety Crisis in Transit

[bru-info at lists.resist.ca]

****For Immediate Release****

 

May 10, 2006

 

TransLink Policies Create Safety Crisis in Transit

Grassroots group proposes lower fares, more buses as systemic solution

 

"The recent attacks against bus drivers are completely unacceptable" says Bus Riders Union (BRU) organizer Zailda Chan in response to the violent attack on a 56-year old bus driver that took place in Coquitlam on May 6, 2006.  "Bus drivers are not the ones raising fares, cutting service and putting armed police on the Skytrain to criminalize bus riders - TransLink is.  Translink's increasing focus on 'fare enforcement' is part of their overall drive to privatize public transportation" says Chan.  

 

Chan continues, "as front line workers, bus drivers are often faced with the stress, anger and frustration of bus riders as they try to cope with unaffordable fares and inadequate service.  Due to overcrowding and service cuts, bus drivers work under stress, drive old-broken down buses, run under very tight schedules, and often times have to work for 12 hours without being able to take a break."  The Bus Riders Union, represents over 900 members in the GVRD.  The grassroots organization was founded during the four month lockout in 2001.  

 

The BRU opposes increased policing and surveillance of bus riders in the transit system, and instead proposes large scale investment in lowering fares and putting more buses on the road to reduce tensions and unsafe working and riding conditions in the transit system.  Chan further notes, "we work hard to build rider-driver solidarity on the bus and use popular education to foster a sense of solidarity amongst bus drivers and riders and to reveal the root causes of safety concerns impacting drivers and riders - the policies and practices of TransLink.  

 

BRU organizer Jennifer Efting says, "the fare dispute over 50 cents that took place on May 6, 2006 shows the mounting tension and economic hardship that many transit-dependent people are facing, which are directly caused by the high fares, overcrowding and our overall context of attacks on poor and working people in the GVRD. Fares have gone up forty percent in the last five years -  and bus riders already bear the brunt of welfare and social service cuts, privatization of public services, and a six dollar an hour training wage. In this desperate context, high fares have been devastating for transit dependent people in our region." 

"We oppose increased police and surveillance in transit because they don't address the root problem behind the lack of safety for drivers and riders, which is high fares and poor service. The recent attacks against bus riders by armed Skytrain police show that Skytrain police make many people feel unsafe.  We've heard from many bus riders, particularly poor and working class people, people of colour, First Nations people, women and youth that they feel scared and stressed with the presence of police on the Skytrain.  Many bus riders report feeling so intimidated that they do not ride the Skytrain at all.  Expanding the Skytrain police to the buses will further criminalize bus riders.  TransLink's ideologically driven focus on 'fare enforcement' violates the essential principle of public services - that they must be accessible to all", says Efting.  

"We think that working together to fight TransLink's privatization agenda will bring about the progressive and long-term solution for the genuine health and safety of bus riders and drivers - a fully public, first class transit system", says Chan.  The Bus Riders Union is organizing for more buses and lower fares through two campaigns - Ride with Dignity: No Overcrowding, No Long Waits, More Buses Now! and Justice for Riders: We Won't Ride with Fear! No Guns, No Racial Profiling!  To get involved in the struggle for dignity and justice for riders contact the Bus Riders Union.  

-30-

Media Contacts:         

Zailda Chan                 604-215-2775                                 

Jennifer Efting            604-255-4745
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