I am a resident of Surrey, BC who relies heavily on public buses for my daily commute to work, visiting my girlfriend, friends and family. Without buses, I am virtually immobile. This is not just my story but the reality of many citizens in our community who depend on this service every day.

Public transportation is not just a convenience but a necessity for many people. According to Statistics Canada (2016), 12% of households in British Columbia do not have access to a private vehicle and rely solely on public transportation or other means. In Surrey specifically, over 20% of the population uses public transit for their daily commute (Surrey's Transportation Strategic Plan 2018).

Yet despite its importance to so many lives, bus service is not currently recognized as an essential service by our local government. This lack of recognition leaves us vulnerable during strikes or other disruptions that could leave thousands stranded without any alternative means of transport.

We believe it's time for change. We urge the local government and transit authorities in Surrey and the rest of Metro Vancouver to officially declare bus services as an essential service under law. This would ensure continuous operation even during labor disputes or other crises and provide much-needed security for those who rely on these services most.

Join us in urging our leaders to recognize the importance of bus services in our community life by signing this petition today!

I’d like to personally thank each any every person who’s signed up so far. Im hoping we can encourage good change and To help CUPE 4500 and CMBC reach a fair and reasonable deal without further disruptions to the buses. and I’m hoping to get as many signatures as possible before any further disruptions to the bus lines.  Thank you so much for supporting getting the buses back and not losing them again in the future!