The Canadian Auto Workers Local 111 represents more than 3,500 transit operators across Metro Vancouver [formerly the GVRD], who serve every major community, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, New Westminster, North Vancouver and many more. Our members know more about the frustrations and problems with the bus system than anyone – and we strongly sympathize with our riders, because we have to deal with the same situation every day on the job. That’s why we have started the More Buses Now! campaign – to push the provincial government and TransLink to take action to improve our vital bus system for everyone.
What’s the problem with our bus system? Consider the following: currently we have only 1300 buses in service in our entire Metro Vancouver system – that’s not nearly enough! That works out to just one bus for every 1800 Metro Vancouver residents. But 15 years ago, Metro Vancouver had one bus for every 1200 residents. That’s also the current rate of buses in Toronto and Montreal. In other words, we have 50% more residents per bus than we used to, or that Toronto or Montreal have now! No wonder you can’t get on. And it’s not supposed to be that way. Metro Vancouver’s Livable Region Strategic Plan called for 1900 buses to be in service by 2006. And Translink’s own first 5 year Strategic Plan projected 1600 buses in service by 2006. It’s no surprise we have a problem – we are between 500 and 800 buses short.
Here’s another way to look at why we need More Buses Now In 2002 the conventional bus system carried 160 million boarded passengers. By 2004 it jumped 30 million to 190 million passengers, nearly 20% more! But during those same two years, the number of buses and service hours only increased by 2.5%, just a fraction of the need. And each year since 2002 bus ridership has increased more than projected, while plans to buy buses do not even meet current needs.
What is the result of this bus shortage? Compare Metro Vancouver to Toronto and Montreal’s service: Percentage of bus routes with 10-minute service or better
Toronto 59%
Montreal 58%
Vancouver 26%
B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell has announced a Transit Plan to double the current number of buses on the road – but that plan wouldn’t be completed until 2020! That’s far too many years to watch overcrowded buses pass up waiting riders. It’s time for action – it’s time for More Buses Now!
Our Campaign
