Media Release – Yes & No Sides look for path to better transit: HandyDART riders host dialogue in Maple Ridge

For immediate release – Friday April 17, 2015

Yes or No: What to do after the transit referendum?

Sat. April 18     11am – 1pm
Ridge Meadows Seniors Society
12150 – 224th Street Maple Ridge

HandyDART riders are hosting a public dialogue on transit Saturday in Maple Ridge. The event aims to find common ground on the need for better transit service for seniors and people with disabilities.

Maple Ridge Councillor Gordy Robson will explain why he is voting No, and Craig Speirs will give reasons for his Yes vote. They and other panelists, including HandyDART Rider Craig Langston, will also explain what they will do after the referendum to improve transit, regardless of the outcome of the vote.

HandyDART service hours have been frozen since 2009, and as a result trip denials went up over 600% before the contractor changed procedures to disguise the crisis. Overcrowding on conventional transit has also made riding transit more dangerous and less convenient for seniors and people with disabilities.

“The HandyDART Riders’ Alliance is going to keep on campaigning for more and better HandyDART service no matter what way the vote goes. But we can’t do it alone,” says HandyDART Riders’ Alliance member Craig Langston. “With an aging population the need is soaring, and we need people and organizations to step up and make transit their priority.”

“There will be a 30% increase in HandyDART service with a Yes vote and we will work to get that in the first five years,” says Beth McKellar, HandyDART Riders’ Alliance spokesperson. “But if the No side wins it will be a tough fight to get any increase.”

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For more information please contact:

Beth McKellar – HandyDART Riders’ Alliance Co-coordinator  604 444 9289

Craig Langston – HandyDART Riders’ Alliance board member 604 614 4423

Bob Chitrenky, President ATU Local 1724   778 229 2679

Organized by: HandyDART Riders’ Alliance & ATU Local 1724

HandyDART Riders’ Alliance  www.handydartriders.ca
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724  www.atu1724.com

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