[van-announce] Sept 22: Take a Stand Against Privatization!

[Bus Riders Union]

*** Please Forward ***

Take a stand against privatization!



Saturday, September 22, 1 PM @ Main St. Skytrain Station

*RALLY and MARCH*

Stop the Fare Increase: Transit for All!



Around the world people are fighting back against the neoliberal policy of
privatization of public services, seeing that privatization only makes the
rich richer and the poor poorer.

Here are some of the ways that TransLink is privatizing the transit system
and taking away transit dependent communities right to mobility and a vital
public service we rely on to participate in the economic, social and
political life of the region:



1. Raising fares is a form of privatization.  It shifts the burden of paying
for public transit onto bus riders.  As a public service transit provides
environmental, social and economic benefits to everyone.  In a region like
Vancouver public transit is an absolute necessity for low income
communities.  Yet the steady increase in fares is shifting the burden of
paying away from more progressive forms of taxation (where those who have
more pay more), to fares - one of the most regressive forms (where those
with the least pay the most).



2. Privatization mega projects like the Canada Line funnel money into the
pockets of rich corporations like SNC-Lavalin.  TransLink's $2 billion deal
with SNC-Lavalin pays the corporation to build the line and then guarantees
the company a profit for 30 years to operate it.  In other words the
millions taken out of the pockets of poor bus riders in high fares goes
straight into the pockets of rich SNC-Lavalin shareholders.



3. Criminalization of bus riders and expropriation of the buses as a public
space.  The public buses are being taken over by the armed transit police
who are now stalking the 'fare paid zones', handing out $173 fines and
treating people who can't afford to pay the high fares like criminals.



It's time to take a stand against the privatization of our transit
system!  Bring
your friends and family to the September 22nd Rally and March against the
fare increase and for transit for all.  Come to one of these events to get
more involved.



Saturday, August 25, 11am – 1pm

Broadway Skytrain Station

Come out and see the new BRU street theatre skit and help leaflet thousands
of bus riders.



Saturday, September 1, 11am – 1pm

672 E. Broadway (at Fraser)

Come out to our Monthly Meeting, for planning and strategizing to stop the
fare increase, and build campaigns for more buses and lower fares.


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