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| NEWS RELEASE | Thursday May 7, 2009 |
Bus drivers' union gets municipal officials support for idea to buy 100 used buses from California immediately to improve inadequate Metro Vancouver bus services
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VANCOUVER - The bus drivers’ union is calling on the province and TransLink to buy 100 used buses from California to immediately improve Metro Vancouver’s inadequate bus services.
And their idea is winning support from municipal leaders in Vancouver and North Vancouver City, who say purchasing used buses immediately would help reduce overcrowding, pass-ups and infrequent services.
Canadian Auto Workers Local 111 President Don MacLeod says the union’s plan – part of its More Buses Now campaign – is simple, affordable and practical.
“Right now TransLink is short 500 to 800 buses in Metro Vancouver – and we can quickly purchase used buses compatible with our existing system for between $35,000 and $95,000 each – less than one-fifth the cost of a brand new bus,” MacLeod said. “If the province provided funding to TransLink we could buy 100 buses right now from California for less than $10 million and have them on the road in weeks.”
MacLeod said two California used bus firm the union investigated each have dozens of buses built in the 1990s that could be on the road in Vancouver in short order and that there are currently enough experienced drivers working for TransLink’s subsidiary, Coast Mountain Bus Company, to operate them.
“We could quickly make bus service better for literally thousands of bus riders and do so for a very modest cost – and we would be removing cars from the crowded streets and improving the environment in doing so,” MacLeod said.
The call to purchase used buses was supported in general by North Vancouver City Mayor Darrell Mussato:
“I will support any way we can put more buses on our city streets. Buses are the backbone of our transit system and will continue to be,” Mussato says.
Vancouver City Councillor Geoff Meggs added that: “The lower mainland is in desperate need of increased bus service and public transit infrastructure support. The CAW’s proposal to buy buses from California would save taxpayer dollars and add needed buses to the bus fleet. We’ve done it before, why not do it again?”
And Vancouver City Councillor Andrea Reimer says that: “One of the main ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to support people who want to leave their car at home – we need more buses in Metro Vancouver to do that.”
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson is also supportive of the idea.
MacLeod said the union representative 3500 bus drivers welcomed the strong support from municipal leaders, adding that other mayors and city councils will be approached for their backing as well.
MacLeod said total operating costs for a bus are approximately $100 per hour, so additional funding would have to be provided by the province given TransLink’s current financial difficulties.
“There is a cost to public transit but the benefits are enormous to our economy and environment,” MacLeod said. “And operating costs are also offset by additional revenue from new riders who have been unable to access the system due to overcrowding and poor service.”
MacLeod said the union is urging voters to make better bus service an issue in the May 12 provincial election.
“We urge all voters to support candidates who will put more buses on the streets of Metro Vancouver as soon as possible – we can’t wait years to adequate bus service.” MacLeod said. “Vancouver has one bus for every 1800 residents, while Toronto and Montreal have one bus for every 1200 – that’s why service suffers here.”
CAW Local 111’s More Buses Now campaign was launched in October 2008 and includes advertising, bus drivers leafleting bus riders, an internet website – www.morebusesnow.com – and more.
For more information: Don MacLeod at cell (604) 992-1781 or 604-519-1110 ext *2288 or Jim Houlahan at cell 604-992-1782 or 604-519-1110 ext *2287, or Bill Tieleman, West Star Communications, at cell 778-896-0964
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We formed our Union because we could not depend on employers to provide us with dignity, a measure of security and a rising standard of living. And, over the years, we did make impressive gains. But our objectives remain far from fulfilled, and even with our past gains under attack, we need Unions as much as we ever did.
"Canadian Auto Workers National Constitution - Statement of Principles" |
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