[mike313]

http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/Fare-Increase.aspx

Bus/SkyTrain Monthly Passes
1 Zone $81 (was $73, $8 increase) - $96 a year
2 Zone $110 (was $99, $11 increase) - $132 a year
3 Zone $151 (was $136, $15 increase) - $180 a year

WCE 28-day Passes (13 passes a year)
Port Moody, Coquitlam Central, Port Coquitlam $178.75 (was $161, $17.75 increase) - $230.75 a year
Pitt Meadows, Maple Meadows, Port Haney $217 (was $195, $22 increase) - $286 a year
Mission $298 (was $269, $29 increase) - $377 a year



Not sure if this has been posted or not..

EDIT: Thanks, Gnomes

[TRD Rs200]

OH SHIT NO!!!

[ryugeeh]

WTF just when I thought of taking transit to school ><

[Gnomes]

http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/Fare-Increase.aspx <- full link

[Kamui712]

If those idiots running translink would've used money to install a turnstile system at skytrain stations during the Olympics they wouldn't need to jack up the prices to "make up" for lost $$$.

Instead they ding the people who are honest and are actually paying to use the public transit.

Or who knows.. maybe the increase in rates are to keep up with their ridiculous pay for board members:
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=2f2239ca-79bd-45e6-b411-5b1c4a1801e3&k=41243

Members of a newly-established TransLink board of directors will be paid $1,200 per meeting -- a whopping $1,000 more than what directors were paid last year.

But Mike Harcourt, a former B.C. premier who chaired the independent advisory committee that decided on the pay hike, said the new wage reflects the calibre of the new board.

[jtanner_]

Wow... a $1000 increase over last year? That's ridiculous..

[rawr]

If those idiots running translink would've used money to install a turnstile system at skytrain stations during the Olympics they wouldn't need to jack up the prices to "make up" for lost $$$.


I bet this was in their plans all along. Not install turnstiles, and instead charge everyone more. Greedy f@gs. The public transit system here compared to HK sucks so much more, it's cheaper and much more efficient in hk.

[StylinRed]

Mike Harcourt, said the new wage reflects the calibre of the new board.

:lol:lol


as for the hike in fees, this was probably planned all along to increase after the olympics and the plan was confirmed when they saw the spike in transit users and continued use even after the main olympics are over

[Ch28]

If those idiots running translink would've used money to install a turnstile system at skytrain stations during the Olympics they wouldn't need to jack up the prices to "make up" for lost $$$.

Instead they ding the people who are honest and are actually paying to use the public transit.

Even more reason to not pay and to cheat the system. You pay and you're still charged more so why bother?

I'm glad I drive everywhere now instead of taking transit.

[AVS_Racing]

mmmmmm driving FTW

[Gunsmokez]

OMG WTF!!!!!!!!

Oh wait, haven't taken a bus for over 10 years. So Who gives a shit!! Power to the Union!!

[jerche]

On the plus side, I heard that all students enrolled in post secondary schools are eligible to get U-Passes this coming fall which saves a lot of money for students that commute via translink!

[Gnomes]

The old board members used to get $200/meeting and now $1200?! Holy fricking @#$%!

[TOPEC]

too early for april fools?

[hchang]

On the plus side, I heard that all students enrolled in post secondary schools are eligible to get U-Passes this coming fall which saves a lot of money for students that commute via translink!

Souce? :D

[Amuse]

The old board members used to get $200/meeting and now $1200?! Holy fricking @#$%!So how long are the meetings and what do they do there? Meeting once a year? Hopefully not once a week or once a month

[jerche]

Souce? :D

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/35205--more-u-passes-on-the-way

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Pass+student+transit+program+provincewide+promises/2680258/story.html

[hchang]

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/35205--more-u-passes-on-the-way

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Pass+student+transit+program+provincewide+promises/2680258/story.html

Thanks!

Would really suck if it would be cheaper driving out to SFU than bussing.

[orange7]

Seriously, I don't understand what translink is trying to do.

First they raised parking fees and placed tolls on bridges.
Next they increased bus fare even more.

What the efff are they trying to do? Have everyone stay home 24/7 ???

from an economic standpoint, they are making no sense.

[cococly]

Nothing affecting U-pass, YET...

I don't use my U-pass too often, so I guess it's fine :)

[3seriesBeeM]

This is one thing I dont understand. They tell encourage everyone to use transit everywhere they go and yet ever year its the same thing they hike up the fees. I am glad I drive

[SpuGen]

Seriously, I don't understand what translink is trying to do.

First they raised parking fees and placed tolls on bridges.
Next they increased bus fare even more.

What the efff are they trying to do? Have everyone stay home 24/7 ???

from an economic standpoint, they are making no sense.

Really?
They're trying to make money. What the fuck else do you think they're doing?

[hirevtuner]

olympics over, now the milk taxpayer money

[ASG111]

FUCK TRANSLINK! Fucking greedy dogs!

[maxxxboost]

The price we pay to live in BC.
I bet after 4 years, they'll jack up the prices again!
They'll never have "enough" money
They need to seriously find out the problem instead of just charging the people that pay their salary.

[MelonBoy]

^
They will jack up the price again.. they will say inflation and shit gota keep up .. Its been going on like this for many years...

[CRS]

Thanks!

Would really suck if it would be cheaper driving out to SFU than bussing.

Ugh, we have UPasses...

Though we have somewhat of an increase, it is nothing like the change/price of the regular fare.

[Greenstoner]

what a joke♦

[Mr.HappySilp]

Time to stock up on the old bus pass booket. They are still going to be old price but you can use it once the price increase.

[Amuse]

Wasn't a 1 zone bus pass $50 to $60 a few years ago?
wow $81 now for just 1 zone, that's more than my monthly gas.
Why don't they raise prices for concession or senior passes as well?

[wahyinghung]

what a joke and they are trying to persuade us to leave our cars @ home ?????:rolleyes:

[keifun]

translink can go fuck themselves! I'm just glad I have my own car and not have to rely on their sub-par transit system and hiking fees

[Qmx323]

HAH!

taking the bus.

[twitchyzero]

Nothing affecting U-pass, YET...

I don't use my U-pass too often, so I guess it's fine :)

everytime the price increases so does the upass, but no one is complaining cause it's already a sweet deal since it's compulsory for all students.

[!Tigger]

if translink were actually run by people who knew how to run a transit system... we wouldnt be fucked so bad.

[Gh0stRider]

another fare hike, wtf.

[PiuYi]

HAHA and they wonder why ridership is low....
nobody wants to pay an arm and a leg for shitty transit STOOOOOOOOOOOOPID

[goo3]

They need to seriously find out the problem instead of just charging the people that pay their salary.

Nobody wants to believe this, but providing transit for everybody costs a lot of money. There's no way around it.

The solution is to buy a car.

[hotjoint]

Great another increase. Glad I drive and havent take a skytrain for atleast 5 years, I feel for you transit riders but there's nothing u can do about it other then sneak on or drive
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[fliptuner]

And to think, Hwy 1 traffic was so awesome during the Olympics, I thought some people would continue to use public transit - I guess that's out the window.

[quasi]

Better raising the fairs targeting then end user then tacking on even more to property or gas tax. I agree about turnstyles they're a no brainer and should be installed as well.

[Ronin]

Good thing I don't take public transit...

[tool001]

so whats going on with turnstyle idea, is it gonna happen or not? think once the increase have set in, they will hit the public turnstyle after...

[Dragon-88]

Turnstyle or not translinks sucks period. I would rather drive a rusted 80's car then sit next to someone who hasnt showered in days.

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

WAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!!:mad::mad:

[Greenstoner]

if the transit bus is like asian (taiwan) then i prob wouldnt mind..

comfy AC, TVs, audible stopping system, increase buses to sub-urban (not every half hour, 45mins wait BS).. late night 3am services to all places ...


the transit here in fucking shit, especially in the summer when everyone is sweating and there is like no AC.

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

seriously im motherfucking choked with this bullshit.

I used to drive to work everyday, tried to save money by takine the sky shit. Than i realize wtf, what exactly am i saving? nothing, other than maintenance and wear and tear on the car. in terms of gas money? its the same if not more expensive. Unless you drive a V6/v8 than you actually save a little, but not by much.



Whatever, thank god i found a way to hack the fucking system. Starting tomorrow i aint paying a penny, nor will i get caught. FUck you bitchass translink

Encourage ppl to take trans shit while it costs more to drive, who the fuck will do that?

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: fucking retarded idiots

[dutch]

I really like the canada line, but the lack of turnstiles is bullshit. I don't want to subsidize the freeloaders.

I'm considering not paying and riding for free to protest the lack of turnstiles.
If everybody did this, they'll get the turnstiles in real quick.


Would you rather pay for the freeloader, or would you rather be the freeloader?

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

Nobody wants to believe this, but providing transit for everybody costs a lot of money. There's no way around it.

The solution is to buy a car.

bullshit, in asia it doesnt cost an arm and a leg to take transit. And their transit is 10000 times better than the garbage we get here. train doesnt come until every 5 minutes, they sometimes run 2-3 cabs, WTF! than it gets hella crowded like a group of dieing sardines in a pound. Hell even the new train tat goes from granville to richmond is a slow mofo pos.
:rolleyes::rolleyes:

as someone mention, why pay $100 + a month riding this bullshit than taking the chance getting caught.

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

I really like the canada line, but the lack of turnstiles is bullshit. I don't want to subsidize the freeloaders.

I'm considering not paying and riding for free to protest the lack of turnstiles.
If everybody did this, they'll get the turnstiles in real quick.


Would you rather pay for the freeloader, or would you rather be the freeloader?

I would rathre tell the trans shit to FUCK OFF

make the rate more reasonable, now slap in the fucking turnstiles so we dont get fucking bums with their stinky garbage bags riding in the same cabs as the rest of the citizen; than i wouldnt mind paying. The whole point of this trans shit is to encourage ppl to keep their cars at home, not to scare them off with some ridiculous retarded rates.

[quasi]

bullshit, in asia it doesnt cost an arm and a leg to take transit. And their transit is 10000 times better than the garbage we get here. train doesnt come until every 5 minutes, they sometimes run 2-3 cabs, WTF! than it gets hella crowded like a group of dieing sardines in a pound. Hell even the new train tat goes from granville to richmond is a slow mofo pos.
:rolleyes::rolleyes:

as someone mention, why pay $100 + a month riding this bullshit than taking the chance getting caught.

I've never been to Asia but how many people live in Asia in the areas where the mass transit is best? how many in the lower mainland? We have such a big area and so little people in comparison the cost is obviously going to be a lot higher.

[unit]

i dont even take public transportation but this makes me mad

[Qmx323]

yes it makes me mad for the people who do take it.

makes want to rage for them

[!Yaminashi]

If those idiots running translink would've used money to install a turnstile system at skytrain stations during the Olympics they wouldn't need to jack up the prices to "make up" for lost $$$.

Instead they ding the people who are honest and are actually paying to use the public transit.

Or who knows.. maybe the increase in rates are to keep up with their ridiculous pay for board members:
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=2f2239ca-79bd-45e6-b411-5b1c4a1801e3&k=41243

They used to say that the fare increases were to "improve their services"
YEAH RIGHT...

I dont even take public transit and this is absolute garbage

[fliptuner]

i dont even take public transportation but this makes me mad

Yeah, cause with higher prices, more people are going to say "Fuck it!!!" and drive to work - fucking with my commute and deliveries.

[1337]

I agree. Isn't public transit supposed to be a cheaper alternative to driving? At this rate, they are just encouraging people to drive.

[AVS_Racing]

fuck transit, its so fucking gross, smells like shit, bums everywhere, packed as shit, always late, and its not even convenient, taking transit always takes twice as long for me to get to a place than driving.

[!Yaminashi]

I wish translink had public forums so we could post this there

[MR_BIGGS]

During the Olympics, I took the skytrain everyday. There was transit workers and police presense, skytrains were frequent, never late, clean, no sketchy people, no homeless, no panhandlers. It was a good experience so to speak. A week after the Olympics left, the bums, panhandlers, homeless returned, skytrains were less frequent, sometimes late and less police and transit workers presense. So I have started to drive again. With the rates going up, if the service is not going to be like how it was during the Olympics, do they honestly expect people to take transit over driving?? umm no.

[lilaznviper]

just great... now i have to pay more for my bus pass to get to school
stupid bcit and no upass

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

fuck transit, its so fucking gross, smells like shit, bums everywhere, packed as shit, always late, and its not even convenient, taking transit always takes twice as long for me to get to a place than driving.

taking transit plus switching bus takes 1hr to get to work and come back


driving takes 25 minutes in the morning, 40-45 minutes to get home


its retarded. If i didnt find a loop hole, hell i would be driving for sure. no fucking way im paying that gay ass rate, plus way more inconvenient

[Marco911]

About time! Drivers shouldn't have to subsidize those riding transit.

[BaoXu]

Whatever, thank god i found a way to hack the fucking system. Starting tomorrow i aint paying a penny, nor will i get caught. FUck you bitchass translink

care to share with us??

[XtC-604]

lol driving ftw

[quasi]

I live in the burbs and the only time I might use transit is for a sportings event. Even then if there is 3 or 4 of us it's still cheaper/quicker to drive and pay for parking.

[twitchyzero]

just fucking install the turnstiles already

[q0192837465]

lol, it's a fucking vicious cycle.

1. Raise price
2. Less people take transit
3. Complain about losing money
4. Raise price

rinse & repeat

[Teh Doucher]

even if you drive, transit still makes money off of you. you are fucked either way.

[AzNightmare]

So in all honesty, how often does someone check your transit ticket on the skytrain during rush hour? I have class at 8am, so it's packed whenever I'm on it at 7:30ish.

I remember with the old trains, they were individually connected, so it's feasible for one guy to check every passenger in one train. But the new ones are one long joined train.

So unless they send in 1 transit staff per train all at once, there's no way they can check everyone for fare in the morning rush hour. I can just walk through the train to the opposite end when I see a guy checking for fares... so do they even bother??

[Amuse]

So in all honesty, how often does someone check your transit ticket on the skytrain during rush hour? I have class at 8am, so it's packed whenever I'm on it at 7:30ish.
Never. They don't bother checking when it's busy.
Anyone going to put a sign up saying "Driving a car is cheaper than taking transit?"

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

So in all honesty, how often does someone check your transit ticket on the skytrain during rush hour? I have class at 8am, so it's packed whenever I'm on it at 7:30ish.

I remember with the old trains, they were individually connected, so it's feasible for one guy to check every passenger in one train. But the new ones are one long joined train.

So unless they send in 1 transit staff per train all at once, there's no way they can check everyone for fare in the morning rush hour. I can just walk through the train to the opposite end when I see a guy checking for fares... so do they even bother??
honestly? never

got checked 2-3 times in over a year



even if you drive, transit still makes money off of you. you are fucked either way.

how so? plz elaborate

[q0192837465]

i never get checked when i go to work in the morning (Nanaimo to Burrard) But they sometimes, tho rarely, checks on my way back. My working hours is the regular 9-5

[syee]

how so? plz elaborate

Every time you fill up with gas they'll get you. Look at the little sticker on the gas pump that shows the breakdown of the gas price. 12c/L goes towards transit.

Source (http://retail.petro-canada.ca/en/pumptalk/2139.aspx)

So in all honesty, how often does someone check your transit ticket on the skytrain during rush hour?

I think they could do it quite easily by having a person checking fares just before you get to the platform. They do it now, but not frequently enough to prevent fare evaders.

[hk20000]

I'm going to drive and I'm going to US of A to get gas.

Fuck you translink.

[JSALES]

FUCK YOU TRANSLINK!

[Tapioca]

Things like executive salaries tend to be amplified when really, they're just a drop in a tea pot when it comes to the overall operating budget. Also, an independent study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers in 2006 confirmed that fare evasion amounted to less than 5% of overall fare revenues, but don't worry, turnstiles are coming in the next 3-4 years.

Facts:
- You need money to build a good transportation system
- It's not feasible to run buses every 2 minutes when you don't have density

I take transit everyday and I've seen the improvements in service. Do I want better service? Absolutely, but that's not going to happen without more revenues or transfers from other levels of government. Comparing our transit system to say HK is comparing apples to oranges. Generally, public transit happens in conjunction with urban planning, but here in North America, that is simply not the reality. As we saw with the Canada Line, when you try to ram something down people's throats, people get upset and sue. I imagine this type of opposition does not happen in Asia, or Dubai.

[no_clue]

not only asia, but recently I took a bus from long beach to LAX airport and it was only $1.25. LA only has 1 million more people than the lower mainland and the density doesn't differ much I think. Although it was a thrill when the bus drove by compton and inglewood!

So why is Vancouver more?

[XtC-604]

Because Vancouverites are pushovers.
OMG DTES HAS BUMS! then we suck it up and live around them
OMG TRANSIT IS INCREASING PRICE! then we suck it up and pay them

So what we should do, its shoot the fucking bums, and boycott translink

[DuhDang]

They are money sucking scumbags.
Have you ever heard good news about Translink? Its always something negative.
Hated them in High school and hated them even more in college.
Make me pay for a fucken upass when I don't need it.

[Durrann]

fukn every thing is going up.
cant even buy shit for myself

[Teh Doucher]

how so? plz elaborate

Every time you fill up with gas they'll get you. Look at the little sticker on the gas pump that shows the breakdown of the gas price. 12c/L goes towards transit.

Source (http://retail.petro-canada.ca/en/pumptalk/2139.aspx)


lol he answered for me

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

werd i hate idiots who just throw something out of blue. Ohhh its because they have more population, therefore we get treated like shit. Pay $5 bux a ride, take it or leave it bitch.


Fuck that shit


fuck you translink


i either drive, or not pay a penny taking the bullshit train. watch me

:mad:


didnt know by pumping gas im supporting the shitty system, wat a joke

[Graeme S]

not only asia, but recently I took a bus from long beach to LAX airport and it was only $1.25. LA only has 1 million more people than the lower mainland and the density doesn't differ much I think. Although it was a thrill when the bus drove by compton and inglewood!

So why is Vancouver more?

Because you're comparing LA city to Vancouver Metro.

Vancouver proper is 578,000 people. Vancouver Metro is 2,116,000 (give or take). The area for Vancouver metro is 2878km^2. This makes Metro Van's density 397 people per square kilometre.

LA proper is 3,833,000. Greater LA is 17,786,000. The area for Greater LA is 12,562 km^2 (yes, I did adjust for miles to KM, thank you very much). This results in a density for Greater LA of 1416 per square kilometre.

The reason busses there are cheaper is because there's just over three times as many people per square kilometre. Imagine if three times as many people took the busses; don't you think you'd need more busses? Don't you think each progressive rider would make it cheaper?


Apples and oranges...

[no_clue]

Because you're comparing LA city to Vancouver Metro.

Vancouver proper is 578,000 people. Vancouver Metro is 2,116,000 (give or take). The area for Vancouver metro is 2878km^2. This makes Metro Van's density 397 people per square kilometre.

LA proper is 3,833,000. Greater LA is 17,786,000. The area for Greater LA is 12,562 km^2 (yes, I did adjust for miles to KM, thank you very much). This results in a density for Greater LA of 1416 per square kilometre.

The reason busses there are cheaper is because there's just over three times as many people per square kilometre. Imagine if three times as many people took the busses; don't you think you'd need more busses? Don't you think each progressive rider would make it cheaper?


Apples and oranges...

oh wow, thanks for the clarification but isn't LA car capital of the world? I enjoyed getting stuck in rush hour in a 16-lane freeway lol. I forgot where I read this but there is more cars than people in LA. And the locals say public transit is terrible so they all drive.

I'm just guessing that the transit ridership rate in LA is not that great so I used it as an example. Maybe California subsidizes it better since the state generate almost as much as Canada's GDP or something meh

[Graeme S]

I forgot where I read this but there is more cars than people in LA. And the locals say public transit is terrible so they all drive.

I'm just guessing that the transit ridership rate in LA is not that great so I used it as an example.
Daily ridership of 1.6 million. Nope, nobody takes transit there.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_County_Metropolitan_Transportation_Aut hority

[twitchyzero]

The non-peak hours 30 minute wait time in Vancouver (no, not the 'burbs) is fucking ridiculous. Love it when you wait for 20 min when the bus finally comes and it's full so you have to wait another 30 min. 50 min wait in the rain is good times. Seriously even when buses are running every 10-15 min during peak hour is still not good enough on the route that i commute everyday. there's a good 15-30% chance the bus will not stop for you cause it's full, how do they expect people to rely on them to go to class/work? If they can only do a 10min run during peak hours at least make them run on a TIGHT schedules.

Their services can't keep up worth shit. If they cant get evergreen line up soon the 'burbs are just gonna implode.

[Mr.HappySilp]

They should fire the unions and hire fresh employees. Pay them $18.hr and I bet people will be lining up for the jobs.

[goo3]

Damn, my right door speaker's out. I gotta get that fixed. Oh, the agony.

[hotjoint]

^ :lol
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[taucool]

Sometimes, even if you wait >30mins for a bus, you'll see 3-4 empty bus pass you, cuz they're behind schedule. Then when one finally stops for people to get on, bus is so full, not everyone can get on and then you have to wait for the next damn bus to come.

[no_clue]

it always gives me a lulz when I see someone running for the bus and the bus driver can clearly see him/her in the mirror and then they pull out and leave.

[raygunpk]

it always gives me a lulz when I see someone running for the bus and the bus driver can clearly see him/her in the mirror and then they pull out and leave.

i feel bad for those people when that happens

[Amuse]

So my cell phone was completely out of battery today and at two Canada line stations, there were no pay phones! What's the reason behind that?

[you!]

fuck these never ending hikes

[JesseBlue]

i think translink should go public...then vote me for chair!...i'll only take 100K in wages...no need for bonuses (millions in savings there)....in fact...i'll cut everyones bonuses (millions more in savings), install turnstile (more millions) as most people want that and also make the upass for all post secondary...also cut the price of tickets...

Don't forget to vote for ME!

[optiblue]

dang... that sucks!!! well, if any of you are alumni of a u-pass institution, just deposit $100, sign up for courses, get the upass, drop courses, and don't return the u-pass. $200 will get you through the year :)

[orange7]

dang... that sucks!!! well, if any of you are alumni of a u-pass institution, just deposit $100, sign up for courses, get the upass, drop courses, and don't return the u-pass. $200 will get you through the year :)

I still remember when the upass cost $80.

[vash13]

Upass will go up in price next year. Every year tuition rates goes up at ubc.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[sunny_j]

this is bs, it never ends with translink

[orange7]

Upass will go up in price next year. Every year tuition rates goes up at ubc.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

lol.. this is true.

I don't recall a single year where the tuition fee was equal or cheaper than the previous year.

I think ubc is already in the process of increasing this summer tuition fee. It will probably go through, and get carried into the winter semester with some more increase.

[Tapioca]

They should fire the unions and hire fresh employees. Pay them $18.hr and I bet people will be lining up for the jobs.

Would you drive a bus for $18/hour? There are a lot less stressful jobs in the private sector that pay more than $18/hour.

The Canada Line is privatized, but people complain because they don't run enough trains during off-peak times. You can't win either way.

[Mr.HappySilp]

^^ that's cost all the CEO and higher ups are taking 90% of the revenue as their bonus.

[orange7]

Would you drive a bus for $18/hour? There are a lot less stressful jobs in the private sector that pay more than $18/hour.



if you were a high school drop-out or only completed grade 12, would you drive a bus for $18/hour? Then again, this isn't always the case...

[C0CKR0CK3T]

BCIT needs UPASS

[guesswho]

wow..not again

[Tapioca]

if you were a high school drop-out or only completed grade 12, would you drive a bus for $18/hour? Then again, this isn't always the case...

No, I could work as a labourer for the city, or I could work on a construction site and make similar money without people spitting in my face, or without the homeless people.

Bus drivers have a peak salary in the mid-50s which isn't a ton of money. For the stuff they have to deal with, I think that's a fair salary. Even if you pay the bus drivers 36-38K/year (which is essentially $18/hour), you still have to spend money on training programs, etc.

To me, the debate is pretty simple:
- accept poorer service than we have now and pay less in taxes
- or pay a bit more in taxes and fares and have gradual improvements

[hotjoint]

So I finally had the chance to take the skytrain here in the Philippines and what a big difference it is.

1. Fair charges - There aren't any zones here so you pay a different rate for each stop. So if you were going from king george station to surrey central it wouldn't be $2.25 for the 1 zone. I actally like this more as you only pay a certain amount, not a zone charge

2. Turnstyles! - after you buy your card (I'll explain more about this), the turnstyle validates that you paid for your fair and let's you through. After you get to your destination you have to go through another turnstyle that checks to see that you paid the right fair, it also takes the card away from you after it's been validated. So if you don't pay to get onto the train in the first place the the 1st set of turnstyles will deny you entry. If you shortchanged the fair then the 2nd set of turnstyles will deny you entry and you also get fined and sent back onto the skytrain to your original stop. Did I also mention that there's tons of security at all stops. No way that you're get a free ride here. They also check your bags once you enter the stations so noone is going to get robbed unless they attack you with their hands or feet.

3. Transit cards - the fair machine spits out a card instead of a ticket. So it's pretty much a loaded gift card, this would save trees and garbage along with preventing the bums or anyone else the opportunity to resell since the validator at the stop takes away the card. So you pay your exact amount each time you board and it's a one time use.


I really like their transit system here. The only thing is that the skytrain and bus fairs aren't tied together like we have it in the lowermainland. The locals get around by taxi, cycles or mini buses, each have their own rates, way cheaper but per time uses. To give u an example of how cheap it is here. $1 american = 45 pesos. We spent 20 pesos to take the skytrain from the very first stop to the very last one. It was about 10 stops. A taxi ride from somewhere like superstore on Rupert street to downtown Vancouver would be about 100 pesos. The fair also starts at 30 pesos. So realistically you can get from one side of town to the other for $5 or less.
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[Tapioca]

So I finally had the chance to take the skytrain here in the Philippines and what a big difference it is.

1. Fair charges - There aren't any zones here so you pay a different rate for each stop. So if you were going from king george station to surrey central it wouldn't be $2.25 for the 1 zone. I actally like this more as you only pay a certain amount, not a zone charge

This change is coming when the turnstiles/smart card system is fully implemented here. But, as logical as this system is, people who live far from their destinations will lose and complain loudly. Considering we've had the zone system for 50 years, you can expect that people who will end up paying more under a distance-based pricing system will complain.

[AzNightmare]

So are ALL the prices going up for everything??
including the price for monthly passes and fare savers?

Would it be smart to load up on fare savers now??
(or when the time comes, and the prices go up, will you have to pay more to make up the extra price, cause the old fare savers would be "invalid" ? )

[hirevtuner]

when the turnstyles get implemented, they will jack up the fare again for us to pay for it

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

^ amen to that

[Graeme S]

So you guys are saying you don't want the system to improve...?

[mb_]

So are ALL the prices going up for everything??
including the price for monthly passes and fare savers?

Would it be smart to load up on fare savers now??
(or when the time comes, and the prices go up, will you have to pay more to make up the extra price, cause the old fare savers would be "invalid" ? )

I don't know if this is still able to happen but when they jacked up the bus fare a few years ago, my mom was able to use her older faresavers (she bought them in like 5-6 packs). Damn Translink, how they can't find a way to make money other than increasing fare is beyond me.

[InvisibleSoul]

Would it be smart to load up on fare savers now??
(or when the time comes, and the prices go up, will you have to pay more to make up the extra price, cause the old fare savers would be "invalid" ? )
Yes, you can definitely load up on FareSavers now to save some money.

One article I read explicitly stated that the ones purchased now will still be good after the price increase, and you won't have to pay the difference.

[ShadowBun]

fuk..

cant sleep if I drive to UBC every morning..

[hotjoint]

They'll still find a way to increase fairs once the turnstyles are in. It's a neverending vicious cycle and we can't do shit about it
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[urrh]

So are ALL the prices going up for everything??
including the price for monthly passes and fare savers?

Would it be smart to load up on fare savers now??
(or when the time comes, and the prices go up, will you have to pay more to make up the extra price, cause the old fare savers would be "invalid" ? )
you save $2 per fare saver book. doesn't exactly break the bank

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

how much are fare saver gonna be?

[AzNightmare]

you save $2 per fare saver book. doesn't exactly break the bank

Well. still money. If you could save $2 (and more if you buy a lot), why not?
People strategically wait for gas prices to drop before filling, and the difference
between 110 and 105 is like $2 (if you fill 40L)

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

true that, ppl get hella pissed off if they have to fill it up during the day time lol

[twitchyzero]

So you guys are saying you don't want the system to improve...?

i rather them have more frequent service than to expand on their routes..at least in the city.

i dont mind the price hikes..it's just my pesonal experience the service hasn't really improved a great deal for the # of hikes we've had in the past 10 years.

[syee]

i rather them have more frequent service than to expand on their routes..at least in the city.

i dont mind the price hikes..it's just my pesonal experience the service hasn't really improved a great deal for the # of hikes we've had in the past 10 years.

I think increasing frequency would be based on usage patterns. There has to be a large enough demand to justify more frequent service. It's not exactly "costing nothing" to run an extra train or bus just so they can have more frequent service. I'm sure the route planners have taken into account the usage patterns of people and adjusted frequency to satisfy the demand.

As people who directly and indirectly fund Translink, I think we'd like them to be as efficient as possible. Before you complain about the frequency of a train or bus, take a look around on the bus or train you just got on. How many people are on it? The cost to run the train or bus is pretty much the same whether there's one person on it or 100 people. Wouldn't you want more people on it to offset the costs? If the bus or train you take is always full and Translink doesn't increase frequency, complain and bring it to their attention. However, I'm doubting that the bus that comes every half hour is going to be all that full, and it's probably running at a loss in the interests of serving people in the not so accessible areas.

In the end, Translink is running a business, and their goal is to at least break even or make money. They're not going to increase service in an area just because a few people don't want to wait half an hour for a bus. There has to be a solid business case to back it up before they spend the money on it.

[UnDeadMage]

I think increasing frequency would be based on usage patterns. There has to be a large enough demand to justify more frequent service. It's not exactly "costing nothing" to run an extra train or bus just so they can have more frequent service. I'm sure the route planners have taken into account the usage patterns of people and adjusted frequency to satisfy the demand.

As people who directly and indirectly fund Translink, I think we'd like them to be as efficient as possible. Before you complain about the frequency of a train or bus, take a look around on the bus or train you just got on. How many people are on it? The cost to run the train or bus is pretty much the same whether there's one person on it or 100 people. Wouldn't you want more people on it to offset the costs? If the bus or train you take is always full and Translink doesn't increase frequency, complain and bring it to their attention. However, I'm doubting that the bus that comes every half hour is going to be all that full, and it's probably running at a loss in the interests of serving people in the not so accessible areas.

In the end, Translink is running a business, and their goal is to at least break even or make money. They're not going to increase service in an area just because a few people don't want to wait half an hour for a bus. There has to be a solid business case to back it up before they spend the money on it.

well said. i dont think there is anyone here who can say they would run their own buisness at a loss for the sake of the people