Vancouver BC - The BC Federation of Labour will encourage its members and the public to vote yes in the upcoming spring transit referendum.
“The Mayors’ Council Transportation Plan will benefit transit users and drivers alike by reducing their travel time and overall congestion in the region,” said Irene Lanzinger, President of the BC Federation of Labour. “It’s the right thing to do for the economy, the environment, for working people and to support good paying jobs. We have workers traveling to and from work by both transit and car that are not served well by the current system.”
With the announcement today that the provincial government has approved the Mayors Council referendum question and that the referendum will begin as of March 16, 2015, the BC Federation of Labour will turn its attention to ensuring a successful outcome.
“One million new residents will arrive in the Metro Vancouver Region by 2044. We need to expand service and make significant improvements to our transit and transportation networks to fill that need,” said Aaron Ekman, Secretary-Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour.
The Mayors’ Council Transportation Plan, which will be subject to independent auditing, aims to cut congestion up to 20 per cent and shave 20-30 minutes per day from commuter times along some of Metro Vancouver’s routes.
The Plan will increase bus service across the region by 25 per cent, replace the Pattullo Bridge, expand the Broadway skytrain line, and bring light rail to the Fraser Valley, amongst a number of other improvements.
“We will work with our members, affiliates and partners in the business, environmental and other communities to ensure the referendum is passed,” said Lanzinger.
The BCFED passed a unanimous resolution at Convention in November to build public support for a vote in favour of improved transit and transportation in the referendum.
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Media contact: Judy Cavanagh 604-816-0099