MEDIA Advisory<\/p>\n
HandyDART Riders Gathering Allies for \u2018Unknown\u2019 Transit Referendum Campaign: Poll shows only 1\/3rd of residents know about planned transit referendum<\/p>\n
For immediate release \u2013Thursday July 24, 2014<\/p>\n
While a recent TransLink poll shows that 64% of Metro Vancouver residents don\u2019t know that a transit funding referendum is planned, HandyDART riders are bringing allied groups together on Saturday July 26 for a public forum about mobilizing for the vote expected in Spring 2015.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will take a big diverse coalition to win this referendum most people don\u2019t even know about yet.\u201d says HandyDART Riders\u2019 Alliance spokesperson Elizabeth McKellar. \u201cAfter five years of neglect we desperately need more HandyDART vans on the road, so we desperately need allies willing to campaign for better transit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speakers from the GetOnBoard BC transit coalition and the Metro Vancouver Alliance will speak at the forum about how they plan to mobilize for the yes side in the referendum.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mayors have proposed a substantial increase in HandyDART service\u201d says HandyDART Riders\u2019 Alliance spokesperson and former Vancouver City Councillor Tim Louis. \u201cIt is not enough given our rapidly aging population, but it is worth campaigning for.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mayors Council proposal is for a 30% increase in HandyDART service hours over 10 years, about 2.7% per year.<\/p>\n
When elected mayors sat on the TransLink Board, they increased HandyDART service hours by about 5% per year to keep up with demand linked to a growing population of older seniors. But after the provincial government imposed an appointed board in 2008, HandyDART service hours were frozen and HandyDART trip denials soared. People with disabilities and seniors were denied HandyDART service over 42,000 times in 2013, an eight-fold increase in four years.<\/p>\n
HandyDART is a door-to-door transit service for people with disabilities and older seniors who cannot use the regular transit system for at least some trips.<\/p>\n
The HandyDART Riders\u2019 Alliance and Amalgamated Transit Union local 1724 are co-sponsoring the public forum Mobilizing to Increase HandyDART Service, Saturday July 26, 2014 \u2013 12:30 to 2:30pm at New Westminster Public Library, 716 \u2013 6th Avenue New Westminster. . Spokespeople and HandyDART riders will be available for interviews after the forum.<\/p>\n
The poll by Maple Leaf Strategies for TransLink surveyed 677 lower mainland residents in May 2014. The Lower Mainland Transportation Issue Survey conducted on May 22-27 asked the question \u201cHave you read, seen, or heard anything about a referendum on funding new transportation infrastructure in Metro Vancouver?\u201d 33% replied Yes, 64% No, 1% Unsure, and 1% Don\u2019t Know.<\/p>\n
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For more information please contact:<\/p>\n
Elizabeth McKellar HandyDART Riders\u2019 Alliance Co-coordinator\u00a0 604 444 9289<\/p>\n
Tim Louis, HandyDART Riders\u2019 Alliance Co-coordinator\u00a0 604 732 7678 \/ 604 738 0405<\/p>\n
Bob Chitrenky, President ATU Local 1724\u00a0 778 229 2679<\/p>\n
About the Organizations: MEDIA Advisory HandyDART Riders Gathering Allies for \u2018Unknown\u2019 Transit Referendum Campaign: Poll shows only 1\/3rd of residents know about planned transit referendum For immediate release \u2013Thursday July 24, 2014 While a recent TransLink poll shows that 64% of Metro Vancouver … Continue reading
\nHandyDART Riders\u2019 Alliance www.handydartriders.ca<\/a>
\nAmalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 www.atu1724.com<\/a>
\nGetOnBoard BC www.GetOnBoardBC.ca<\/a>
\nMetro Vancouver Alliance http:\/\/iafnw.org\/canada\/metrovancouveralliance<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"