[Busriders-van] Bus Riders Union Calls for Billions for Buses

[Martha and Aiyanas]

*** May 03, 2004 ***


Bus Riders Union Calls for Billions for Buses


    In the lead up to a meeting in which the TransLink board is to 
decide whether or not to move on to the so-called "best and final offer" 
stage of the RAV line bidding process, the Bus Riders Union (BRU) calls 
on the transit authority to scrap the multi-billion dollar mega project.

    "The RAV line has never been the priority for transit users in this 
region", says BRU organizer Beth Grayer.  "Eighty percent of transit 
users in this region rely exclusively on the bus.  Our bus system is 
stretched to the limit.  Buses break down with alarming regularity and 
TransLink is set to raise fares.  The billions of dollars being funneled 
into RAV should be spent putting more buses on the road and bringing 
down the fares."

    The Bus Riders Union is opposed to the TransLink plan for the RAV 
line to be designed, built and operated by a private contractor.  BRU 
organizers are quick to point out that the entire RAV agenda is one of 
privatization.

    "This privatization agenda goes way beyond the 
Private-Public-Partnership nonsense pushed by the provincial 
government," says BRU organizer Martha Roberts.  "TransLink and the big 
business interests bidding on the RAV contract are actively pushing RAV 
as it will pour public money into private hands rather than wages for 
public sector workers.  Any bus rider will tell you what we need are 
more buses and that means more bus drivers too.  TransLink and the 
provincial and federal governments prioritize capital-intensive, 
highly-automated technology like Skytrain because it benefits big 
business such as Bombardier, regional contractors, and real estate 
developers.  Funneling public money towards these private interests 
boosts electoral campaigns and political careers, unlike money for buses 
and bus drivers which just mean better service."

    In a fall 2003 position paper on TransLink's three-year financial 
plan the Bus Riders Union called on the transit authority to redirect 
$900 million in public money earmarked for RAV towards massive 
system-wide improvements in the bus system: more buses, reduced fares, 
and long term strategies such as dedicated bus lanes.  This BRU report 
calls for a moratorium on rail development until after a massive 
reinvestment in the bus system that a majority of the transit-dependant 
rely on to access their region.

    "The Millennium Line channeled money previously spent on 
heavily-used bus service into Skytrain," explains BRU organizer Diane 
Leclair, referring to the 5% cut in bus service in 2001.  "The massive 
debt incurred by the Millennium Line is being transferred to bus riders 
in the form of 33% increase in fares over the last three years.  This 
means that bus riders, a majority of whom are low-income people, pay for 
rich contracts to big business and the windfall to real estate 
speculators.  Yet, a majority of bus riders realize no benefit from 
Skytrain, since most of us still rely exclusively on our local bus 
service.  That's what privatization is all about."

For more information contact the BRU at 604 215 2775

 

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