[bru-info] Bus Riders Urge TransLink to Stop Proposed Fare Increase

[bru-info at lists.resist.ca]

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2007

 Bus Riders Urge TransLink to Stop Proposed Fare Increase

*Mass speak out planned for June 27th TransLink Meeting*

 *Vancouver* – The proposed bus fare increase is being met with anger and
frustration by members and supporters of the Bus Riders Union (BRU).  The
BRU – a grassroots organization with over 1000 members in the GVRD - is
organizing to oppose this most recent attack on bus riders.

BRU organizer Yuly Chan says, "Another fare increase would be devastating
for bus riders who are already struggling with rising living costs, low
wages and starvation level welfare rates.  Those who are hardest hit by high
fares are working class people, particularly women, immigrants and refugees
and indigenous people."

Continues Chan, "How can TransLink suggest another fare hike when bus riders
often wait 30 minutes or more to ride dangerously overcrowded buses?"   Bus
shortages are also contributing to long waits and pass-ups.  In 2006 there
were 19,000 reported 'pass-ups'.  A 'pass-up' refers to an incident where an
already overcrowded bus must leave bus riders at bus stops.

BRU organizer Jennifer Efting notes, "Poor bus riders will be the hardest
hit by a fare increase – but the health of our entire region is at stake.  High
fares push people into cars, which increases air pollution and makes asthma
and cancer rates go up."  Low-income communities, where most bus riders
live, are hardest hit by air pollution caused by cars.

Continues Efting, "TransLink and the Provincial Liberals may claim to be
concerned about global warming, but they need to put their money where their
mouth is.  They cry poor when it comes to providing affordable, reliable bus
service, but money is no object when it comes to ultra-expensive privatized
projects like the Canada Line and the Evergreen Line."

TransLink's proposed fare increase would bring adult fares for one, two and
three zones to $2.50, $3.75 and $5.00, respectively.  In addition, monthly
passes will also increase to $73, $99 and $136 for each zone.  TransLink
expects an additional $18.8 million in fare revenue per year but has no
major plans to significantly expand the bus fleet to alleviate the ongoing
crisis of overcrowding and long waits for bus riders.

The Bus Riders Union is organizing a mass speak out for the June 27th, 2007
TransLink Meeting to urge directors vote against the proposed fare increase.


~30~

*Media Contacts:*

*Yuly Chan                   604-215-2775 (work)*

*Jennifer Efting            604-255-4745 (cel) *


-- 
Bus Riders Union
672 East Broadway St.
Vancouver BC
V5T 1X6
http://bru.vcn.bc.ca/
604-215-2775
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