MEMBERS of the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation gathered Monday morning at Waterfront Station to launch a region-wide campaign for a successful outcome on the upcoming transportation and transit vote.

“A ‘yes’ vote means more buses, better roads and more transit options all across the region. We are expecting one million more people over the next 30 years. A ‘yes’ vote will reduce commute times, protect the clean air we breathe and keep people and the economy moving,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, Chair of the Mayors’ Council. “I’m campaigning for ‘yes’ because we need to take action now.”

“It’s time for communities south of the Fraser to get better access to transit and better roads. Our communities are growing fast and we need solutions,” said Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner, Vice Chair of the Mayors’ Council. “I’ve made this a top priority because we need to give people more travel choices and help keep goods and services moving to market.”

The mayors are working alongside the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition, which is leading the “Vote Yes for Better Transit” campaign. Over the coming weeks, people all across the region can get involved in and learn more by:

* Attending community meetings to learn more about what’s in the plan

* Visiting their website, and Facebook and Twitter to get more information and to get involved

* Watching for them on transit and in your communities

* Encouraging family, friends, coworkers and neighbours to learn more about the plan

* Signing on to the “vote pledge” launched by the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition, www.bettertransit.info

“Our constituents have told us to fix the transit and transportation problems plaguing our growing communities. Wasted time sitting in traffic jams, pass-ups by full buses or having no buses at all costs everyone. The mayors worked hard for months to come up with this plan that addresses these concerns and now it’s time to get these improvements funded,” said Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore, Chair of Metro Vancouver Board of Directors.

All registered Metro Vancouver voters will receive ballots in the mail beginning March 16, and must return them by mail by May 29. To register, or update your information, contact Elections BC here or call 1-800-661-8683.

The Mayors’ Council will continue to share information and updates on activities at www.mayorscouncil.ca.

What do we get with a “Yes” Vote?

Voting “yes” in the transit referendum will protect our environment, strengthen our economy and improve our quality of life. The Plan includes:

* New and Expanded Rapid Transit Service:

– 2 new LRT lines in Surrey and the Langleys

– Millennium Line extension tunneled to Arbutus

– Expanding capacity and frequency of Expo, Millennium and Canada Line

– Additional West Coast Express service

* Road and congestion Improvements:

– New, safer 4-lane Pattullo Bridge

– Maintaining and upgrading 2,300 km of major roads to keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently

– Improvements to intersections, signalling and lanes to reduce congestion on major roads

– Transit improvements will mean more drivers will take transit, reducing the number of cars on our roads

* Bus and SeaBus Service:

– 25% increase in bus service throughout the region

– Increase from 3 to 14 B-Line routes:  fast, frequent, reliable, limited-stop bus service

– More frequent all-day bus service, running every 7 1/2 minutes on average

– 50% more SeaBus service and 10-minute rather than 15-minute service during rush hours

– Service to new and growing communities

– 80% more NightBus

– 30% more HandyDART service

* Cycling and Walking:

– Add 2700 km of bikeways, including 300 km of fully traffic -separated routes

– Better connections to transit

– Improved walking and waiting facilities near transit stops and stations

What do we get with a “No” vote?

“No” will leave us stuck in increasing traffic, hurt jobs and our economy and reduce transit service as one million more people arrive over the next 30 years.

– more congestion and longer commute times for drivers and transit riders

– businesses and jobs suffering as it becomes harder to move goods and provide services

– cutbacks in transit service

– roads and bridges won’t be maintained as needed

– more pollution and poorer air quality across the region