[bru-info] For Immediate Release: Wed Oct 11 8-10am Bus Riders Organize Direct Action against Overcrowding & Long Waits

[bru-info at lists.resist.ca]

October 10, 2006

 

****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****

 

Bus Riders Organize Direct Action

 against Long Waits, Overcrowded Buses

 

Vancouver - On Wednesday October 11th, 2006 from 8am -10am bus riders will be holding four brightly coloured 6-foot long banners on all corners of the intersection at Broadway and Commercial to oppose and expose the proposed $1 billion-dollar Evergreen Line.  The bright orange banners will read: 

·        Bus Riders demand: People before Profit. TransLink Plans: Privatization

·        Bus Riders demand: Buses before Skytrain. TransLink Plans: Canada + Evergreen Line = $3 billion

·        Bus Riders demand: 320 New Buses. TransLink Plans: More Overcrowding! No Buses until 2013!

·        Bus Riders demand: Lower Fares. TransLink Plans: Fare Increases in 2008 & 2013

 

"TransLink is spiraling of control", says BRU organizer Rocio Vasquez, "they seem to so easily make and justify decisions that benefit big business at the expense of the health, safety and economic stability of bus riders. Already we're seeing the impacts of the $2 billion dollar Canada Line on the transit system. We're paying more for overcrowded buses and long waits.  Buses are broken down and unreliable.  Furthermore, TransLink plans to cut to some of the busiest bus routes including the Oak St, Main St and Fraser St." 

 

At their meeting on October 18th, TransLink will decide whether or not to vote for the Evergreen Line, a new rapid transit line planned to run from Lougheed to Port Coquitlam.  Many TransLink watchdogs believe the Evergreen Line was an incentive for TransLink directors in the North-East sector to vote in favour of the Canada Line in 2004.  At the July TransLink meeting, TransLink staff said that if the Evergreen Line is approved, there will be no money to buy additional buses until 2013 and TransLink will be in a deficit of $200 million per year.  

 

"What are bus riders going to do about this? We're going to organize and mobilize bus riders to oppose what will be another step in the wrong direction - another billion-dollar mega-project.  What will this mean for poor and working families? More time lost waiting and standing, when we could be spending it with our children and families.  More frustration and stress.  What will this mean for all GVRD residents?  Worsening air quality, increasing asthma rates and cancer rates, particularly in low-income neighbourhoods" says organizer Zailda Chan.  

 

"This banner drop is a collective direct action to show that bus riders are getting together to fight for ourselves, and the health of our communities.  This fight for a first class transit system must be won," says Chan.  

 

--30-

 

 

Media Contacts:

Zailda Chan 604-215-2775 or 604-780-5605                     Jennifer Efting 604-255-4745
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