[bru-info] New Developments in Stop the Fare Increase Campaign

[bru-info at lists.resist.ca]

TransLink: Put our money where your mouth is!

Use the $17 million surplus to stop the 2008 fare increase.



 TransLink recently announced that they have an extra $17 million in surplus
in their 2007 budget.  This $17 million is in addition to their existing
surplus of $48 million for this year.  This is a new opportunity to stop the
2008 fare increase.



The fare increase is projected to raise $18 million dollars. The Bus Riders
Union is preparing pressure TransLink over the next two months to use the
$17 million to cancel the fare increase.



When bus riders called on TransLink to scrap the fare increase in June 2006,
board members responded that they 'didn't want to increase fares, but needed
the money to buy more buses and keep up with inflation'.  As a public
service TransLink has the responsibility to buy more buses, reduce wait
times and overcrowding, *and *make fares more affordable.



With this extra $17 million surplus there is no excuse for TransLink to
proceed with the fare increase.  Already bus riders are struggling to pay
high fares, high rents, high tuition, and high childcare costs with
inadequate wages and welfare rates.



TransLink's actions in the past have shown that they are more interested in
creating opportunities for big business than in social and environmental
justice.  Bus riders need to come together to make sure that TransLink does
the right thing and uses the $17 million surplus to stop the fare increase.




We are going to collect signed letters, leafleting and mobilizing for
upcoming TransLink meetings, so get active to stop the fare increase:

* *

*Tuesday, October 23, 6:30 – 8:30pm*



OPEN HOUSE AND LETTER SIGNING @ 672 E. BROADWAY



Come to the BRU Office at 672 E. Broadway, sign a letter, have some snacks
and find out more about the campaign.  Coffee, tea, snacks will be
served.  Children
welcome.





*Saturday, October 27, 11am – 1pm*



LEAFLETING AND MASS OUTREACH @ MAIN ST SKYTRAIN STATION



Come hand out leaflets to let other bus riders know about the fare increase!






*Saturday, November 3, 11am – 1pm*



BRU MONTHLY MEETING @ 672 E. BROADWAY



Join us to strategize about how to bring maximum pressure on TransLink,
build our solidarity and strength as bus riders and win our campaign.  Coffee,
tea, snacks will be served.  children welcome.





2008 Fare Increase Timeline:



*June 27, 2007:*

TransLink Board votes to increase fares in January 2008, the fourth fare
increase since 2000.  TransLink expects to raise $19 million from the fare
increase.





*October 10, 2007:*

TransLink announces a surplus of $17 million (on top of their expected
surplus of $48 million)





*October 10, 2007:*

TransLink CEO Pat Jacobsen acknowledges that TransLink has an accumulated
surplus well in excess of what is considered a safe financial cushion.





*October 10, 2007:*

TransLink Board passes a motion calling on the provincially appointed board
that will replace them in 2008 to find an alternative revenue source to fare
increase because "fare increases impact the mobility of low income citizens
and affect ridership growth."





*October 17, 2007:*

Bus Riders Union calls on TransLink to "put our money where their mouth is"
and use the $17 million surplus to stop the fare increase.




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