We headed to City Hall this AM to deliver 1400 petition signatures! Edmontonians are saying NO to fare hikes + decisions that leave folks behind. Let #yegcc know that increases to public transit fares are a strike against our city + its people. Sign the petition. Link in bio!

City councillors and our new mayor need to uphold their commitments to equity and climate justice. And part of that commitment is funding public transit like the essential service it is. (3/3) #abpoli #yeg #yegtransit #yegcc

Thousands of service hours cut. Community routes axed. Commutes lengthened. Privatization. How has the redesign impacted you? Let council know by emailing them at council@edmonton.ca. (2/3)

Tomorrow #yegcc reviews the network redesign of our public transit system. That redesign has had...issues (to say the least). (1/3)

We must call on city council to keep their word on OPPOSING TRANSIT FARE INCREASES and fight for EQUITABLE FARE DECREASES FOR ALL. 5/5 #yegcc #yeg #yegtransit

@michaeljanz, @edmonton_anne, @AshleyASalvador, @Erinforanirniq, @aaronpaquette, Rice, @AndrewKnack, @_TimCartmell and @AmarjeetSohiYEG all hold a commitment to oppose any increase to transit fares. 4/5

Mayor @AmarjeetSohiYEG and these councillors stated, while campaigning, that would they freeze transit fares: @AndrewKnack, Jennifer Rice and @_TimCartmell. 3/5

These councillors stated that they think transit fares should decrease while campaigning: @Erinforanirniq, @aaronpaquette, @michaeljanz, @edmonton_anne, @AshleyASalvador and @kerentangyeg. 2/5

Raising cash fares hurts those who need public transit the most. #yegcc has a responsibility to uphold the right to mobility, and that means low, affordable fares — and better yet, making transit free. 1/#

For a Just, accessible and climate resilient city to be realized, CASH FARES MUST NOT INCREASE. 8/8 #yeg #yegcc #abpoli #yegtransit

Throughout the 2021 election, 8 of the elected Councillors and the Mayor stated that they would vote against fare increases. With six of those councillors stating they would like to decrease transit fares.² ²Source: Taproot Edmonton 2021 Municipal Election Survey 7/8

Overall transit operations have seen next to no budget increase in almost a decade¹. The city should actively be reallocating police funding to fund people-first resources — like public transit. ¹Source: https://t.co/7u7oOjOHEN 6/8

Today, City Council is also set to hear from the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), regarding their funding & spending over the past several years. Likely in an attempt to justify an increase in EPS funding. 5/8

Edmontonians are already facing the looming 5th wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, a climate emergency and dangerously cold temperatures. Transit development needs to be centred around mobility and accessibility, NOT generating marginal revenue for the City of Edmonton. 4/8

^^ *Which is all Edmontonians until the smart-fare program is rolled out. Afterward this will disproportionately be folks living rough and in precarious situations. 3/8

If council approves this increase, Edmontonians will be stuck paying world-class prices for a sub par system. While a decrease in fares is welcome, the decision to do this on the backs of folks using cash fare is atrocious. 2/8

THREAD: Last April, thousands of Edmontonians spoke up and took action against a public transit cash-fare increase. Now, we must fight AGAIN as the city plans to raise cash fares to $4 per ride. #yeg #yegtransit #yegcc 1/8

DM or email us at freetransitedmonton@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns! We’re excited to build this together! /3

Contribute by submitting artwork, photography, writing, or something else on what fare-free transit and/or mobility Justice means to you. The form is linked in our bio with more details. Chosen contributors will receive a $50 honorarium. 2/3

We’re making a zine and we want you to be a part of it! 🚎 What does free transit mean to you? What does mobility mean in creating a more just city? Submit your piece in the next three weeks! Deadline to contribute closes on Thursday, September 16th 11:59PM 1/3

“By making transit reliable, good, free, we’re lowering the barriers to using it and being able to rely on it in a way that doesn’t leave you stranded in the worst time possible.” Great piece from The Breach featuring our comrade and fellow organizer, @sol_bobier!