[van-announce] Night Owl Buses: End the Curfew Now!

[yang at dojo.tao.ca]

BUS RIDERS UNION: Building a movement for social and environmental justice.



Night Owl Buses: End the Curfew Now!

    As part of our major organizing drive this summer, and our campaings 
to Defend and Expand Public Services! and End Transit Racism! the Bus 
Riders Union is building pressure for our demand for an immediate and 
full restoration of Night Owl buses.   When TransLink cut Night Owl bus 
service in the fall of  2001 it was a serious attack on the lives and 
rights of transit dependent people.  For late night workers, 
disproportionatly people of colour, the cuts meant finding more 
expensive transportation alternatives, or in many cases sleeping in 
lunch rooms or wandering downtown until the buses start running or 
simply loosing their jobs.  For youth, women and other groups 
particularly at risk of violence and harrassment it was an attack on 
their safety and independence.  For all transit dependent people it 
stripped us of our right to full and equal access to the social, 
economic and political life of the city by placing us under curfew.

    Now TransLink is planning to bring back Night Owl buses, but only on 
a few routes and only on Friday and Saturday nights.  This sop to 
downtown business owners is an insult to the bus riders of the region. 
 It leaves bus riders out in the cold 5 days a week.

    Over the course of the summer the Bus Riders Union will be taking 
action to win back the Night Owl buses.  On  June 12th we will be 
holding a Public Meeting where bus riders can share their experiences of 
how the night owl cuts have impacted them and develop strategies for 
resistance.  And on June 25th BRU organizers and bus riders will be 
taking our demands to the TransLink board meeting.  And we don't intend 
to sit quietly in our seats while TransLink pours the money so badly 
needed for the bus system down the Skytrain sinkhole!

    Get Involved in the fight for More Buses! and Lower Fares!  Come out 
to one of these upcoming events and contact us to find out how you can 
get involved in our movement for social justice and public health.

Night Owl Buses: End the Curfew Now! Public Meeting
Thursday, June 12, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce, near Joyce Station)
Free Childcare and Snacks povided

TransLink Board Meeting
Wednesday, June 25, 9 am
City of Port Moody, City Hall, 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody, BC
Stay posted for info on getting to the meeting

Bus Riders Union General Meeting
Saturday, May 31, 10 am
SFU Harbour Centre (515 W. Hastings)

BUS RIDERS UNION
604 215 2775
bru at resist.ca