Fair Hike
Last year the federal government brought in a tax break for people who take transit regularly. Specifically for those using month passes. If memory serves it works out to be something like $12 a month in terms of cash back in your pocket.
Now as you know I’m no fan of the Conservatives but this one move looked at in isolation was great. Yes in the greater scheme of things it was a minor thing to do to cover up for a lack of comprehensive environmental policy and of course it comes in the form of a tax break, a staple of conservatives worldwide but as I said ignoring that for now it was a small step in the right direction providing citizens an economic incentive to go green.
Locally Translink recently decided to increase their fares. Although ‘decide’ is hardly the right word, in order to claim revenue from the gas tax they are required to raise fares, the head of Translink himself said he wished they didn’t have to do it and that fares are too high as it is. As a percentage the single use fairs get the short end of the stick. Monthly fares are going up as well but by a smaller percentage.
Take the 1 zone month fare for example. Currently $69 set to go up $5 to $74. So after taking the recent tax break into account that’s still $7 LESS than we were paying 2 years ago - assuming you do your taxes.
But I haven’t accounted for inflation yet. Normally I use 3% to be safe but I’ll be generous and assume an average inflation rate of 2%. It’s been at least 5 years since the month pass was increased. So that’s about $6.90 LESS in terms of real money (i.e. purchasing power) that we spend today versus 5 years ago. Again I’ll be generous and round that down to $6.
So for a 1 zone monthly rider that’s $11 less than 5 years ago we’ll be paying AFTER the increase. The increase itself is less than inflation!
So I daresay that puts a different spin on what some of the bellyachers have been saying. Don’t get me wrong I think a fully subsidized transit system is a good idea but screaming at the rain because of a fare hike has almost become mindlessly popular. When you know you’re paying $11 a month less than 5 years ago it kind of pops that balloon of hot air.
Now on to the protests. The bus riders union, or whatever they’re calling themselves, put up nigh impossible to tear down posters demanding 500 new buses be purchased claiming not to do so was a crime against human dignity. A cause I could have supported had they not started the campaign AFTER more than 500 new buses, all better for the environment, had already been ordered!
They staged an hour-long protest that closed a bridge on a major artery protesting the fare hike and trying to encourage people to take transit or bike to work. The result? Tons of cars kept idling for an hour spewing carbon monoxide into the air that need not have happened. They’re protesting a fare that is lower, destroying the environment, and pissing people off. How can anyone support that?
Maybe they’re TRYING to fail. Maybe they’re plants designed to cement public support for the fare hike because given their methods and lack of information they’re certainly not making many friends.
I’m all in favour of protest with purpose but this isn’t it. Why can’t they go plant a tree, go see Sicko, or donate to Amnesty International? Weekend to End Breast Cancer is coming up. There are some real causes worth fighting for out there, people are dying, and these guys aren’t helping. They’re not just wasting their time - they’re actually making it worse and working against themselves.
They want new buses, new routes, more frequent service AND lower fares? These things don’t happen in a vacuum. Drivers deserve to be paid, buses aren’t free. Why not protest for why y’all don’t have a million dollars and a unicorn while you’re at it?
Oh, better yet, protest to abolish the right to protest - it makes about as much sense.
Admirable goals, no brains.
