Transit advocate's weekly digest spotlights upcoming B.C. elections, rallies
The volunteer-run newsletter compiles election information, candidate meetings and advocacy campaigns for sustainable transportation.
VANCOUVER — Longtime public transportation advocate Nathan Davidowicz is circulating his weekly digest of transit news and events as British Columbians prepare to vote in municipal and provincial elections.
The Weekly Alternative Buzzer, compiled and distributed voluntarily by Davidowicz, is a mix of a transit newsletter, events board, service bulletin and collection of links.
This week's edition draws attention to 11 items, including election information, transit rallies and advocacy campaigns.
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For the October 2026 issues, the newsletter will feature more coverage of the B.C. municipal and provincial elections, with coverage of sustainable transport in Canada, the U.S. and internationally resuming in November.
A transit rally is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at Waterfront Station at 601 W. Cordova St., with many candidates expected to attend.
The newsletter asks, "Will the BC government promise to buy this Station? It is the ONLY Station not owned by BC and/or TransLink."
Election day for B.C.'s municipal elections is Oct. 17, 2026, while the provincial election is set for Oct. 24, 2026.
The newsletter provides links for voter registration and candidate lists for both elections, directing readers to the Elections BC and CivicInfo BC websites.
It also promotes a petition for all-door boarding on every bus route hosted at movementyvr.ca and campaigns for fare-free transit for all B.C. seniors, youth and people with disabilities.
Links are included to news about an overtime ban impacting service in the Victoria Regional Transit System beginning Oct. 5, 2026, according to a BC Transit notice.
Several all-candidate meetings in Vancouver are highlighted, including one on Oct. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 1575 W Georgia St., which costs $20, and a hybrid event on Oct. 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 949 W. 49th Ave.
Meetings of the East Van Traffic Coalition, which aims to "Remove the Barriers" in East Vancouver, are scheduled for Thursdays, Oct. 15, 22 and 29 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Greek Community Hall at 4541 Boundary Rd.
The newsletter shares a new transit campaign research brief from the Centre for Family Equity.
It also includes information on a workshop titled "HOW TO ORGANIZE AND WIN Better Transit" from the group ttcriders, with contact information for a workshop coordinator.
The final item in the notes is a personal commentary from an unnamed individual discussing the challenges of living with a disability.
"The federal and provincial governments have a responsibility to house PWDs for this reason," the commentary states.
It continues, "By staying silent and not offering housing, governments punish PWDs and act surprised when landlords reject them. They simply say, 'too bad, so sad.'"
The commentary adds, "After paying the rent, people cannot make it through the rest of the month. I can’t afford to go to the laundromat."
Davidowicz provides the newsletter for free via email and on other platforms, and readers can sign up by writing to him directly.
With files from CityHallWatch