What they need to do is commercialize skytrain stations. Obviously translink is a losing business, they need to open up more shops around the stations so they can collect rent from the owners. It would also make the station more safe as more people there so less crime.

they will NEVER shut up about finding new sources of income... NEVER!!!

there is something i don't understand.

Why is translink copying a system that was found 10 years ago and not exploit its own future fare system?

I mean.. with today's technology, I am pretty sure there is better fare system than the one that was invented 10 years ago.

so thaatttsss what r tax money buys. ffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuu government

They're still thinking about swiping cards? That's still like 10 years behind HK. The Octopus card (similar to Mastercards Paypass for those unfamiliar) is the way to go. Anyone ever have an old credit/debit card that wouldn't swipe? They're going to run into problems like this for sure.

Fat people. ;) About time they put turnstiles. Every other city has been doing it for at least 10 years.

Another thing they should do is platform doors so people can't get run over.

Studies have already shown that the revenue recovered from adding turnstiles or gates will not be enough to recover the cost and maintenance for having them


I'd say those are unnecessary given that it's a light rail system.

Thats a great point you brought up. If that is in fact an eventuality, then we're essentially back to square one with one huge ass deficit on our plate. And by 'our' I don't mean Translink.

$100 million eh... lets tear this one apart

i calculated the time it'll take to see a return on this investment and it appears that after 40 years, they'll get out of the red, assuming that vancouvers population growth is at a constant (as it has been even after expo 86, so we'll assume that 2010 olympics wont affect the growth rate) also assuming that the revenue generated from catching free-riders and billing them with $60 ticket offsets the amount of extra revenue gained from the turn-style system.

They need the NY style turnstiles in order for this to work. I hope they don't use the ones that the Vegas monorail uses because those can be easily hopped over.

if they used the octopus card tech... its still unhackable LOL

they better accept the card at starbucks, mcdonalds, 7-11...

Lame

cuz they can buy the refurb stuff from HK...

i bet you'll see MTR on those magnetic strip tickets... or one that says.. Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui

won't the gates look retarted at some of the skytrain stations because it seems like their won't be enough room for it

stuipd card gates systems

the "smart card" in the text is actually the octopussy card isn't it?

Also the platform screen door thing is a good idea whether it's a light rail or not, otherwise one fucking idiot will ruin it for everyone as the system has to be shut down to extract the dead body of the said idiot from the rails. Makes no sense not to. Also unlike MTR rails the skytrain rails are actually a lot more deadly as the center rail is charged with high voltage for the trains...

really? the center rail of the skytrain is charged? i thought it was the two strips located vertically along the sides. So when you're looking from the platform, the electricity across from you on one side of the rails... actually they aren't even on the rails. From what I've heard, the rails are safe.

flash of the past, frigging way too late

they should have a system where, its like a credit card, you tap it and go- if its outside your fare zone, the card will automatically rack up a bill ie. +2.50 if you have a one zone card registered in surrey, and u travel to vancouver. at the end of the month u get a invoice saying pay it. all universities + schools if u have a full time students, screw the fast trak sticker.. u shuld be given with a coupon code where it overides the +2.50...

we're so advanced.

world class cities have nothing on us.

I don't understand why all you guys saying things like "way too late" or using sarcasm indicating how this should have been ages ago. Yes, it might be late but be fucking glad they are doing it! I mean ARE YOU DIRECTLY LOSING MONEY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT? No? Then why the hell are you so anal about it? Either come up with good solutions or new tools to use to help or STFU.

Just trying to jump on the "translink sucks" bandwagon? If you are, you could atleast come up with your own reasons why. I don't understand how trying to improve the translink system should be criticized like this. Yes, it should have been up since the start but it is never too late to implement a system to help regulate public transit.

Good to know they are putting in the place.

this wont ever change, they'll find another way to rape us, just watch :D

Indeed. I just hope it's accompanied by at least one translink security staff at all times. Especially if it's just a turnstile, otherwise it'll somewhat pointless.