Transit union wants 500 new buses in B.C. budget

VANCOUVER - The union representing Vancouver's bus drivers wants the B.C. government to include funding for 500 new vehicles in Tuesday's budget.

Local 111 of the Canadian Auto Workers union says the province has already acknowledged the need for improved public transit, and now it needs to act.

The union, which represents about 3,200 TransLink bus drivers in the Lower Mainland, says buses are overcrowded, causing delays and unreliable service.

Local vice-president Jim Houlahan says 15 years ago, there was one bus for every 1,200 residents, and now there is one bus for every 1,800.

Houlahan says TransLink planned to have 1,600 buses in service by 2006, but he says right now there is still only 1,100 on the road.

B.C.'s Liberal government will table its 2009-2010 budget on Tuesday, and is expected to run a deficit.