[van-announce] FARE STRIKE

[Yang Chang]

*** Please Forward Widely ***


Join the Bus Riders Union

FARE STRIKE

Friday, January 14, 2005


In response to TransLinks January 1st fare hike the Bus Riders Union is
organizing a FARE STRIKE for January 14th , 2005. On this day, BRU
organizers as well as allies and activists will be riding the buses
throughout the region encouraging bus riders to not pay fares. This will
be an opportunity for thousands of bus riders to take direct action
against TransLink's policies of privatization, bus cuts, high fares and
corporate mega projects. Please get involved in this mass direct action
against neo-liberalism and for public services that meet the needs of our
communities.

DON'T PAY FOR BUS CUTS!

Every TransLink fare increase comes with big promises about improved
service. However, as we've seen in the past, TransLink prioritizes
mega-projects profitable to big business and regional developers and
starves the bus system that most transit-dependent people rely on.
TransLink's policies of bus cuts, cancelled bus purchases, and
pro-corporate priorities must be challenged if we are to achieve a transit
system that is public, environmentally sound and accessible to all.

DON'T PAY FOR PRIVATIZATION!

With the fare increase TransLink will be taking over $13 million a year
out of the pockets of bus riders to pay for the privatization of our
transit system in the form of the RAV line. This
'Private-Public-Partnership' guarantees a big profit to the private
corporations who will build and operate the project while taking control
over the transit system out of the hands of the public.

DON'T PAY FOR TRANSIT RACISM!

The fare increase is an attack on the right to mobility of all bus riders.
It is also a racist and sexist policy which will
disproportionately impact women, communities of colour and Aboriginal
people who are more likely to be transit-dependent because of low-income
and lack of access to a car. The fare hike, like privatization, cuts and
user fees in other necessary public services, exacerbates and reinforces
the oppression and exploitation of immigrants, refugees, people of colour,
and Aboriginal people.

JANUARY FARE STRIKE EVENTS:

Saturday, January 8th, 6-8 PM, Vancouver Public Library

Fare Strike Public Meeting

Everyone is welcome to this public meeting to get involved in the fare
strike!

Free Snacks -- Children Welcome

-----

Sunday, January 9th

Fare Strike Training Day

Activists and allies, join us for an afternoon of training for people
interested in being a FARE STRIKE DAY ORGANIZER. Get involved in
organizing on the buses and on the streets on fare strike day.

Please contact us to register for the training.

-----

Monday, January 10th, 7 PM, SFU Harbour Centre

BUS RIDERS UNION: THE MOVIE film showing

A fundraiser for the Fare Strike, featuring a showing of the BRU movie
about the Los Angeles Bus Riders Union -- the landmark civil rights
organization fighting for transit justice. Includes a segment on the
highly successful No Seat/ No Fare campaign.

-----

Friday, January 14th

FARE STRIKE DAY

More details on Fare Strike day To Be Announced.

-----

Friday, January 14th, 6 PM, Broadway and Commercial

Fare Strike Rally and Action.

-----

GET INVOLVED!

Contact us at 604 215 2775 or bru at resist.ca