Transit Police have stepped up fare checks but the number of tickets they're writing is down. 230 thousand fare checks were made last month, resulting in 29-hundred tickets. A year ago in the same month 164-thousand fare checks were made with five-thousand tickets resulting. Translink Chief Operating Officer Doug Kelsey says it could be that … [Read more...]
Minister says: fare evader loophole now closed
September 7, 2012 by
You may have heard this before: the free ride on Translink is over. That's what newly appointed Transportation Minister Mary Polak is saying after moving to fill a loophole in legislation brought in last spring to enable Translink security staff to fine fare evaders. "Well clearly the free ride for fare evaders is over, I was briefed yesterday on … [Read more...]
Exclusive: Transit Police unhappy with new fare collection bylaw
September 6, 2012 by
Transit Police are threatening not to write any tickets after taking a close look at a new bylaw that came into effect this week. The Fare Collection Bylaw allows Transit Security - along with Transit Police - to issue fare infraction tickets. The trouble is however according to Transit Police officers who want to remain unnamed for fear of … [Read more...]
Translink “grateful” it can now go after fare evaders
September 6, 2012 by
The chair of Translink's board of directors has responded to a CKNW story that uncovered emails in which Translink staff made some perhaps embarassing comments. Reporter Janet Brown made a freedom of information request after Translink refused to speak on CKNW's Waste Patrol segment on fare evasion. Speaking on the Bill Good Show, Chair Nancy … [Read more...]
Fare evaders face crackdown
August 31, 2012 by
After Labour Day, Translink will have a better ability to actually force people to pay tickets for fare evasion. A new by-law goes into effect September 4th, replacing a provincial statute that allowed fare cheats to escape penalty. Under the new rules, those found in a "fare paid zone" without a ticket will get a 173-dollar fine, which escalates … [Read more...]
Ferries boss considers change to fare structure
August 26, 2012 by
The man in charge of BC Ferries says the corporation is looking to change its fare structure. "We want to go to a more dynamic pricing model – time of day, time of week, demand-type pricing,” says CEO Mike Corrigan. "But that's going to require the right reservation and point-of-sale system, which we currently don't have. "It's also … [Read more...]
Translink shows off first fare gate
August 13, 2012 by
It comes with a big price tag, but Translink says it's worth it. The company's first "fare gate" was unveiled this afternoon at the Marine Drive Canada Line Station, the first of more than 250 that will come on-line next year. The gates are part of a 170-million dollar system upgrade, which will also include new electronic "compass … [Read more...]
Fare evaders can avoid paying fine for years if they take it to court
May 13, 2012 by
We've all heard the transportation minister say under new legislation, drivers with unpaid transit fines won't be able to renew their licence and vehicle registration. What Blair Lekstrom didn't say is that if you decide to contest the ticket, you "can" still renew your vehicle insurance. Get a $ 173 transit violation ticket and you've got 30 days … [Read more...]
Translink fare cheats rush to pay fines after new legislation announced
May 10, 2012 by
The province's announcement of plans to crack down on transit fare cheats seems to be having an early effect. Ever since the changes were introduced this week, transit police Insp. David Hansen says phone-boards have lit up with guilty fare cheats wanting to come clean and pay their fines. "I don't have an exact number, but it's enough that we … [Read more...]
Legislative crack down on Translink fare cheats welcomed by Mayors council
May 7, 2012 by
The vice chair of the mayors council on regional transportation is hoping a crack down on fare evasion will get transit expansion back on track. Langley city Mayor Peter Fassbender says transit expansion south of the Fraser has been paused as Translink battles with a $ 30-million shortfall. He says "My view of that is it is not a … [Read more...]
