FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO – John Di Nino, National President of ATU Canada and John Costa, ATU International President are encouraged by the recent announcement this morning of the New Democratic Party (NDP) platform and its several commitments to public transit. In the 115-page document, the NDP are pledging to: develop a public inter-city bus system, commit funding for zero emission vehicles with the goal of electrifying transit, improving rural transit conditions, making transit more affordable and putting in place a permanent, direct, allocation-based funding mechanism for modern public transit.
“ATU Canada is encouraged with the recent announcement of the NDP platform.” Said John Di Nino. “The document released today shows that the NDP is committed to investing in and expanding our public transit system from coast to coast.”
ATU Canada has been demanding the government commit to a plan around public intercity and highway bus travel since Greyhound first ended its operations in Western Canada in 2018. In May 2021, Greyhound fully ended their operations in Canada, leaving people across the country stranded across the country. The transit union has also been advocating for permanent operational funding as transit agencies struggle with choosing between devastating funding cuts and keeping transit moving for millions of Canadians.
“Transit is an issue of national significance this election especially after the devastation brought to it by COVID-19.” Said ATU International President, John Costa. “We hope all parties will commit to securing permanent operational funding, restoring transit service and making sure that people across the country have access to safe, secure, affordable and reliable service wherever they may live.”
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