The Bus Riders Union will picket a public consultation on TransLink’s 2008 transportation and financial plan, which includes a proposed fare increase of six percent. The event will be held at Plaza 500 Hotel (500 West 12^th Avenue, Vancouver) on Thursday (May 31) starting at 7 p.m.

In a media advisory, the BRU decried the proposed fare increase as a “direct attack on the health of poor and working class communities”.

A May 16 TransLink release stated that the fare increase will cover inflation for the period 2005-2007. “TransLink’s operating costs are growing faster than the Consumer Price Index and fare revenues,” the release said. “The last fare increase was in 2005."

TransLink is holding eight public meetings across the region on its transportation and financial plan from May 30 to June 14.

The TransLink release also stated that the plan calls for the large bus fleet expansion—90 new buses and 109 replacement buses plus 55 replacement and expansion Community Shuttles.

Also included are a new B-Line route on Hastings Street to Simon Fraser University, more service on busy routes, significant improvements to bus service in communities South of the Fraser, the purchase of a third SeaBus, and 30 new HandyDART vehicles.

The BRU has launched a “Ride with Dignity” campaign to push its demand for the purchase of a total of 500 expansion buses between 2007 and 2010. The group said an increase in the number of buses will alleviate overcrowding and long waits.