What's the point of working when the government will provide every for you.

Why don't they have any money? In Nanaimo every fast food joint and gas station is looking for workers. If they need money get a job. It's pretty easy these days.

Not as easy as it sounds.

Would you hire someone sporting a beard they've been growing for two years, along with a smell that's probably been fermenting for half of that time? Not to mention the fact that there's probably no way of contacting that person should you need to change their shifts or anything.

There are places out there that provide a sort-of halfway house to help transients to shift from homelessness to a more stable form of living. Many provide a safe place to live, clean clothing to wear for a job, and other basics needed. It also creates a semi-permanent place to reach that person. However, these places are few and far between and plenty of people who are homeless have no desire to change their lives, even though they know it can provide a better life.

No to mention substance abuse especially Meth.. really screws up your brain permanently.. don't expect people to show up on time even when they recover.. which is another barrier of low entry level jobs.. they are mostly shift work and service related.

Operating a bus costs approximately the same whether it's at capacity or empty, your argument that this will lead to increased costs for paying users has no merit.

Restricting the mobility of the homeless population only exacerbates problems, because it causes one specific area to cause a complete decline and adds to the difficulty of rising above ones' circumstances.

You're arguing that Translink should attempt to get blood from a stone, essentially.

The homeless population has not given up on fitting in with society; they'd like to live in cozy apartments and work nine to fives, but it's outside they're capability as mentally ill and drug addicted persons. The sufferer of a mental illness is not at fault for their condition and a drug addicted person is little at fault for their condition, simply look to the percentage who've turned to addiction to escape memories of childhood abuse, neglect, and other traumas for which they do not have responsibility.

The majority of the homeless population are mentally ill or addicts who're unable to contribute to society for medical reasons. A person unable to work due to medical reasons is certainly no different, but I'm sure you'd be compassionate towards them. Your lack of compassion is therefore unjustifiable. I'm speaking in quite broad terms here, of course, because narrowing medical reasons to something more precise is too much effort.

Welfare doesn't exactly provide the means for a comfortable existence.

Problem is, those who are currently working 9-5 can't afford to live in those cozy apartments as well.

How do you help others when you can't even help yourself?

It is not easy these days....from experience because my wife has been looking for the past 3 months and she ain't homeless....

These people need a chance but most of them pick that lifestyle!

A cozy apartment is not unaffordable unless one insists on living in a great location or owning; I digress, though.

The tax system is on tiers so that those who can't/can only afford to help themselves do not have to help others. And, allowing the homeless population to ride transit without paying fares is a negligible expense.

Great post.

The dominant factor in unsubsidized transit systems is population density and demographic, honestly.

Keep it up, keyboard warrior.

oh sweet jesus, you know i am joking.

last time i stepped foot on public transit was about 6 years ago....

The irony of my comment was that this is not some new initiative translink or homeless advocates have just proposed...its always been there. The issue now is how to adopt the current policy into the new card program.

However, you can guarantee that idiots all around are going to read the headlined and adopt this mantra every time a transit cop attempts to give them a ticket for fare evasion.

The same thing is happening now in regards to the rental policies and pets. Do you know how many idiots I have that phone me and tell me I am not allowed to discriminate against pet owners anymore because they read a headline but failed to read the actual article.

Same shit, buddy. No need to assume I am that much of a douche bag.

^ I think a lot of people would be humbled and take a more reasoned perspective if they actually used public transportation once in a while.
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The only reason people make such a fuss about this topic is because our system costs so much to: operate, and for the public to use.

So when the media brings this topic to light, (even though its been around for decades) people will obviously get pissed off. Why should someone who works 9-5 everyday, pay $180/month for a bus pass, when a homeless guy gets to ride for free.

The media should just :stfu: about this topic.
Think of it this way: If nothing changes, it won't cost us an extra dime.
Yet if the government/Translink starts giving out free cards, that costs taxpayers money to make the cards, distribute them, keep track of them. It's just another dip into all our pockets.

When it comes to denying them the service, what good does it do for anybody? Who here has actually talked to these people anyway? I can gaurentee atleast 85% of you guys don't even acknowledge their existence.
Personally in the last few years, I've refused giving money to the homeless who ask for money. Yet I have bought food on multiple occasions for them, I've taken time out of my life to talk with them, and most aren't bad people.

Shit just happens.

the amount of compassion I have for people is limited to my family and close friends. that's it.

ive got a medical condition which no longer allows me to drive, work, or go out on my own, I swallow 15 pills a day to control it, and I don't expect anyone I don't personally know to feel sorry for me about it either.

since im no longer allowed to drive until ive had brain surgery, does that mean I should get a free year round pass?

I have 10 renters on government assistance. If they can afford cigarettes, booze, drugs, and the illegal pet they can't be that hard off.

Our gas station hiring but we are in Nanaimo. We have a very tough time finding reliable employee's.

Government assistance =/= welfare

Who say's we haven't?

The cheques come from BC employment and assistance.

You're contradicting yourself.

The outcomes of compassion are not universal.

You're unable to work, but I imagine you're receiving an income through medical leave or something comparable (as you continue to own two nice vehicles). In turn, your financial position and needs are different. On this basis, I do not believe you require a subsidized pass. You have different needs, however, and you're entitled to have them subsidized to an extent too.

Lots of reasons for cheques to come from BCEA. Hell, I was on it for a while after my Medical EI ran out after I had surgery done many years ago. It doesn't mean I was on "welfare." It was a temporary disability payment while I was undergoing therapy in order to get back to work.

Just saying that because it comes from BCEA, it doesn't mean all these people are poor and penniless.

Okay, let me rephrase it then, I have compassion for those who work and pay taxes and contribute, if something happens to them, bummer. However, the amount of emotional compassion I have and would actually care about is limited to family and friends.

Anything outside of that, I could care less
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The ones I deal with are.

whoops, double post

WTB: social assistance compass cards $100

Guarantee that some will just jump the gates at skytrain stations. Buses, walk in through the back without taping in.

Increased ridership will lead to needing more buses and more runs.

i wonder if i can file a class action lawsuit against translink for discrimination...

i get a fine for not paying and homeless guy next to me gets away scot-free? laws/bylaws should apply to everybody equally, no matter their social status