New Democrats kicked off a three-day petitioning drive in Surrey today to oppose the new hikes in transit fares. Sue Hammell

“It’s time for the Campbell government to get serious about providing affordable public transit,” said Sue Hammell, MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers.

This morning at the Surrey Central SkyTrain station, she collected signatures from transit users on a petition that calls on the Campbell government to take action to reduce transit fares.

“If Campbell is serious about reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, his government needs to expand transit and make it more affordable,” Hammell said. “Instead, we’ve got inadequate transit and the highest fares in the country.”

Bruce RalstonSurrey-Whalley MLA Bruce Ralston said Surrey residents will be especially hurt by the new fare increase, which took effect Jan. 2. A three-zone, one-way trip from Surrey to Vancouver now costs $5.

“It’s appalling that Campbell is willing to let transit fares skyrocket while he refuses to raise the minimum wage for B.C.’s poorest workers,” said Ralston. “Campbell’s priorities are all wrong.”

Harry Bains

Surrey-Newton

Harry Bains was elected as the MLA for Surrey Newton on May 17, 2005, and then re-elected on May 12, 2009.

Sue Hammell

Surrey-Green Timbers

Sue Hammell was re-elected as the MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers on May 12, 2009 She was first elected in 1991, was re-elected in 1996 and re-elected