[ImportPsycho]

my grandpa, oversea visitor, who does not speak English was trying to ride sky train with fare saver ticket.
He knew he had to validate the ticket at the station but couldn't quite do it right, I guess he was inserting it wrong side up.
So, he wasn't sure what to do, and saw the officers up on the platform, checking tickets, walked up to them to ask for help, but got a fare infraction ticket instead.

Since he doesn't speak English,he couldn't explaining the situation and they assumed he was trying to get free ride.

does he have any chance of getting ticket voided?



UPDATE

I wrote a dispute letter to Translink, asking them to check the security recordings and see if he really tried fare evasion.
They should be able to see if he even tried to validate his ticket or went straight up to train.
Also, he went up the both platforms, searching for translink employee, so he went to lengths to get his ticket validated.
If they can see that on the security video, surely they would understand and cancel the ticket right?


So, today he received letter from Translink saying too bad so sad, sol...
In the letter, they are saying "Although I can empathize with the circumstances", rules are rules. He shouldn't have entered fare paid zone regardless of any reasons, blar blar blar :seriously:

I think he will end up paying for the ticket, even though he's not a PR here...

[Ch28]

That's fucked up

Those guys have no common sense. Why would a fare evader purposely walk up to you?!

[Phil@rise]

I'm suer it can be voided but if he's just a visitor who cares

[PeanutButter]

That's fucked up

Those guys have no common sense. Why would a fare evader purposely walk up to you?!

Was he at Brighouse? Because Translink sometimes stands at the top of the escalator/steps so you can't really see them until it's too late. So they probably just assumed he was trying to get on for free.

I'm sure if you just contact translink, they might wave the ticket.

[Mr.HappySilp]

That's bad. At least they should give your grandpa a chance. I seen it before where the skytrain cops were checking fares and this group of girls have no tickets but were just given a warning and they get to contiune to ride for free. No warnings tickets no nothing they were simply told not to do it again.
Kinda of unfair.

[MarkyMark]

People who live here don't even pay the fines why would he bother disputing if he's not a permanent resident

[Ch28]

I'm suer it can be voided but if he's just a visitor who cares

People who live here don't even pay the fines why would he bother disputing if he's not a permanent resident

It's the principle of the matter.

He had an issue with the fare saver machine and decided to go to the people that were suppose to help him. Instead of helping him out, they decided to write him up and embarrass him.

He did nothing wrong. Why should he be written up?

[tmc22]

It's like they're purposely trying to fuck you over. Why would the transit cops stand on the top of the stairs, if their main intention is to just hand out a ticket and not help.

[murd0c]

He's from out of country and there is nothing they can do to collect the money off of him. Tell him not to pay and he has nothing to worry about.

[JaPoola]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, you let your grandpa who doesn't speak a lick of English go out on his merry way by himself to explore huh? And instead of asking regular people how to validate his ticket he goes to the Translink officers?

Just say he didn't know how to validate the ticket, said "fuck it", and tried to get on the train regardless.

[Timpo]

I don't think Translink ticket is like private parking lot ticket right?

What if your grandpa comes back to Canada in the future? Is there any chance of him be detained or denied access to Canada?

[Alby]

It's like they're purposely trying to fuck you over. Why would the transit cops stand on the top of the stairs, if their main intention is to just hand out a ticket and not help.

they do this is because you would have entered a fare paid zone. and without a fare, they have the right to write you a ticket.

i would call translink and tell them as they may waive the ticket for you. some cops are nice enough to give warnings, some are just douches that will write you up.

however, it is actually not the cops job to help with the fares, its the skytrain attendants job

[Phil@rise]

It's the principle of the matter.

He had an issue with the fare saver machine and decided to go to the people that were suppose to help him. Instead of helping him out, they decided to write him up and embarrass him.

He did nothing wrong. Why should he be written up?

Yeah he did do something wrong. He entered the "fare paid zone" without having his fare paid the transit authority are not required to be translators thus by their definition he did something wrong.
If he's just a visitor dont waste your time disputing cus frankly its BS but if he's not then dispute it. Yes I agree with you its more about principal tho.

[Prolowtone]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, you let your grandpa who doesn't speak a lick of English go out on his merry way by himself to explore huh? And instead of asking regular people how to validate his ticket he goes to the Translink officers?

Just say he didn't know how to validate the ticket, said "fuck it", and tried to get on the train regardless.

Dono about anyone else but that is a pretty racist thing to say. So what, you expect him to be locked in the house because no one was out with him, he is human, not a dog. and im sure that he knows where he is going if he is using transit hahaha

[therubberguard]

my grandpa, oversea visitor, who does not speak English was trying to ride sky train with fare saver ticket.
He knew he had to validate the ticket at the station but couldn't quite do it right, I guess he was inserting it wrong side up.
So, he wasn't sure what to do, and saw the officers up on the platform, checking tickets, walked up to them to ask for help, but got a fare infraction ticket instead.

Since he doesn't speak English,he couldn't explaining the situation and they assumed he was trying to get free ride.

does he have any chance of getting ticket voided?

Since your grandpa doesn't speak English, I know a guy that can help you out. Might get an apology and some respect out of it too.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/cms/binary/8822444.jpg

[Manic!]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, you let your grandpa who doesn't speak a lick of English go out on his merry way by himself to explore huh? And instead of asking regular people how to validate his ticket he goes to the Translink officers?

Just say he didn't know how to validate the ticket, said "fuck it", and tried to get on the train regardless.

So when I was in Germany for 2 days I should have learned German before entering the country?

[tiger_handheld]

Translink needs to hire some canto and mando speaking people for richmond skytrain stations.

:troll:


How did the transit cops issue your grandpa a ticket? Where did they get his name and address from?

This story has more holes than swiss cheese!

[meme405]

This story has more holes than swiss cheese!

:awwyeah:

In all seriousness though, translink used to not be able to do shit, to get people to pay the tickets. Now they have been granted more powers to force people to pay and they are still not getting anywhere. Something like 60% of all fare evasion tickets over the past 4 years have gone unpaid...

[parm104]

So when I was in Germany for 2 days I should have learned German before entering the country?

Can't believe your family let you go to Germany for 2 days without knowing a lick of English. No sense of responsibility these days...

Grandpa should sue family for being negligent and letting him use public transportation without knowing English. Translink should sue grandpa because grandpa should have bothered to ask random strangers instead of bothering official employees in uniform who regulate the rules of Translink.

I'll call Sall...

[Spidey]

I agree with the person who asked about how a VT was filled out without your grandpa being able to speak English. Unless there was a Chinese speaking Transit cop that believed your grandpa intended to evade the fare. It isn't hard to validate a fare saver. It actually shows you via picture, how to validate it. Pretty much, you have 4 chances of validating it properly......

[ImportPsycho]

I don't think Translink ticket is like private parking lot ticket right?

What if your grandpa comes back to Canada in the future? Is there any chance of him be detained or denied access to Canada?

this is what he is worried about, he doesn't want any record.
but i think worst case, he can't get/renew a BC driver's license.

• ICBC may refuse to issue or renew a driver’s licence or vehicle insurance.

I'm shocked at how expansive ticket is, $173? i've gotten cheaper speeding ticket, apparently this is fare evasion is more serious...

homeless man gets free rides, 65+ confused old man gets fine... :okay:

[Anjew]

i thought i heard on the news that they are pulling the transit cops away from fair evasion duties and actually focusing on protecting the public.

[ImportPsycho]

Translink needs to hire some canto and mando speaking people for richmond skytrain stations.

:troll:


How did the transit cops issue your grandpa a ticket? Where did they get his name and address from?

This story has more holes than swiss cheese!

He has BC DL, you can get BC DL if you have international DL and 6 months or more visitor visa. he understands simple words like, ID, name etc..

I yelled at him why he entered fare paid zone, he said he didn't know what else to do as there is no trans link employees by the ticketing area.

ah well....

[Anjew]

thats not fair... there must be a way to get the word out. Does the ticket have an agent number of sort?

[parm104]

He has BC DL, you can get BC DL if you have international DL and 6 months or more visitor visa. he understands simple words like, ID, name etc..

I yelled at him why he entered fare paid zone, he said he didn't know what else to do as there is no trans link employees by the ticketing area.

ah well....

Don't be an idiot and yell at your grandfather for receiving a trivial Translink infraction...I thought you were advocating on his behalf and now you're yelling at him for doing something he didn't know? lol errrrr....

[subordinate]

Agreed, that's elder abuse.

[xilley]

only thing I dont understand is.. why did he walk up to ask officers instead of some random pedestrian thats at the platform.

[bing]

So many one-sided replies here. How exactly were the officers supposed to know if gramps can't communicate in English with them?

I'd call in and politely explain the situation.

[sekin67835]

He may have went up to the officers because for translink. Who else knows the system better than the employees that work there? His grandpa may have thought it would've been an hassle to bother random bypassers
Posted via RS Mobile

[Manic!]

Can't believe your family let you go to Germany for 2 days without knowing a lick of English. No sense of responsibility these days...

Grandpa should sue family for being negligent and letting him use public transportation without knowing English. Translink should sue grandpa because grandpa should have bothered to ask random strangers instead of bothering official employees in uniform who regulate the rules of Translink.

I'll call Sall...

Funny thing I had problems at a McDonald's in Germany.

[jerche]

I can't blame your grandpa for having issues inserting the faresavers. I take the transit quite regularly and I had issues inserting it correctly at times. I even encountered numerous times where regular riders having the same issues inserting it 4x and still get it wrong resorting to the driver inserting it for them.

It's crazy how specific it has to be inserted.

[Gnomes]

only thing I dont understand is.. why did he walk up to ask officers instead of some random pedestrian thats at the platform.

When I take subways in other countries, and need help with directions or fare, I prefer to ask transit people for help. I will be more confident their answer is more correct (rather than a rushed response from commuters)

[melloman]

my grandpa, oversea visitor, who does not speak English

He has BC DL,

:suspicious: :fulloffuck:


The ticket will prevent him from renewing his license. Until the ticket is either paid or disputed and the case is completed, you can't renew.

[tiger_handheld]

He has BC DL, you can get BC DL if you have international DL and 6 months or more visitor visa. he understands simple words like, ID, name etc..

I yelled at him why he entered fare paid zone, he said he didn't know what else to do as there is no trans link employees by the ticketing area.

ah well....

If he's here for 6 months or more and why does he need a BC DL? Especially if he cannot communicate or understand? Was he going to drive a car where majority of road signs are in English???

Your story seems fishy OP... your answers only lead to more questions.

[El Bastardo]

If he's here for 6 months or more and why does he need a BC DL? Especially if he cannot communicate or understand? Was he going to drive a car where majority of road signs are in English???

Because drivers licenses, as with PR cards, seem to be available from vending machines these days.

[4444]

More to the point how does someone who can't speak English get a DL, do they give tests in non official languages (I think I just realized that this is likely a rhetorical question - of course they do, if you pay, you don't even have to take the test in Richmond (that comment based on previous factual findings, no racist))

[4444]

He has BC DL, you can get BC DL if you have international DL and 6 months or more visitor visa. he understands simple words like, ID, name etc..

I yelled at him why he entered fare paid zone, he said he didn't know what else to do as there is no trans link employees by the ticketing area.

ah well....

You raised your voice to your grandfather? You're a turd

[predom]

Two sides to every story. Hard to believe they didn't help him. If he cant speak English how do you know he could even ask for help? Most likely he tried to walk on and was stopped and said some shit in Chinese like "I didn't know how" or something and no one could understand shit. So bam. Ticket.
Posted via RS Mobile

[ziggyx]

I'm shocked at how expansive ticket is, $173? i've gotten cheaper speeding ticket, apparently this is fare evasion is more serious...

homeless man gets free rides, 65+ confused old man gets fine... :okay:

kind of off topic but they mentioned on the news how fare evasion tickets are more expensive than other offenses. Driving with a cell phone is just a few bucks cheaper than fare evasion lol.

lynda steele, steele on your side, consumer, translink, fines | CTV British Columbia News (http://bc.ctvnews.ca/how-fair-are-fare-evasion-fines-1.1278062)

[AzNightmare]

Best thing to do is just call Translink and explain the situation nicely and hope for the best. Your grandpa is wrong for entering a fare paid zone without a valid ticket.

Unlucky situation.
Your grandpa goes looking for help... If "help" wasn't even there in the first place, he wouldn't have received a ticket. :derp:
Don't bitch out at your grandpa, shit happens.

Police/transit attendants that are checking for fares purposely "hide" at the top of the stairs so that they can blindside fare evaders.

Fact that your grandpa spotted them in advance to walk up to them to ask for help sounds fishy.

Unless he means he was wandering around trying to find help and stumbled upon them.

It sucks, because it shouldn't have been like this, yet the police are just doing their job.

As a visitor, you shouldn't need to know the language to go out, but at the same time, it's inevitable if you misunderstand the law because you don't know the language.

I'm sure if your grandpa waited around long enough, someone else would have used the fare machine, so he could have figured it out. There's also arrows on the fare indicating which direction to insert it in.

Good luck on your situation. I've personally had a good experience with them before, when I honestly forgot to get a July month pass. And I got caught about 10 days into July. (I've even been using the June pass on the bus daily prior to that, and bus driver never said anything). The translink officer gave me a warning.

[Spidey]

kind of off topic but they mentioned on the news how fare evasion tickets are more expensive than other offenses. Driving with a cell phone is just a few bucks cheaper than fare evasion lol.

lynda steele, steele on your side, consumer, translink, fines | CTV British Columbia News (http://bc.ctvnews.ca/how-fair-are-fare-evasion-fines-1.1278062)

evasion of fair is technically fraud. Would you rather be charged criminally or pay a fine? it's really no different than getting in a taxi and not paying

[fliptuner]

More to the point how does someone who can't speak English get a DL, do they give tests in non official languages (I think I just realized that this is likely a rhetorical question - of course they do, if you pay, you don't even have to take the test in Richmond (that comment based on previous factual findings, no racist))

Doesn't it make you feel so safe on the road? :badpokerface:

[ziggyx]

evasion of fair is technically fraud. Would you rather be charged criminally or pay a fine? it's really no different than getting in a taxi and not paying

I guess that's true, but it feels like the fine shouldn't be so high :okay:. That's just my opinion. I always pay the fares, learned the lesson when I got caught in 4th grade because I had no cash... the cop gave me a warning lol.

[Spidey]

I guess that's true, but it feels like the fine shouldn't be so high :okay:. That's just my opinion. I always pay the fares, learned the lesson when I got caught in 4th grade because I had no cash... the cop gave me a warning lol.

The reason it is high is to deter people from riding without paying.

[PeanutButter]

I can't blame your grandpa for having issues inserting the faresavers. I take the transit quite regularly and I had issues inserting it correctly at times. I even encountered numerous times where regular riders having the same issues inserting it 4x and still get it wrong resorting to the driver inserting it for them.

It's crazy how specific it has to be inserted.

There are only four different ways you can insert the ticket...
Commander Spock would have inserted it on the first go, it's only logical.

Seriously though, i'm glad the fare validation system is so "complex", it allows the average person (children and seniors exempt) to actually exercise that brain logically for a change.

[ImportPsycho]

I wrote a dispute letter to Translink, asking them to check the security recordings and see if he really tried fare evasion.
They should be able to see if he even tried to validate his ticket or went straight up to train.
Also, he went up the both platforms, searching for translink employee, so he went to lengths to get his ticket validated.
If they can see that on the security video, surely they would understand and cancel the ticket right?


So, today he received letter from Translink saying too bad so sad, sol...
In the letter, they are saying "Although I can empathize with the circumstances", rules are rules. He shouldn't have entered fare paid zone regardless of any reasons, blar blar blar :seriously:

I think he will end up paying for the ticket, even though he's not a PR here...

[Spidey]

So, today he received letter from Translink saying to bad so sad, sol...

I wrote a dispute letter to Translink, asking them to check the security recordings and see if he really tried fare evasion.
They should be able to see if he even tried to validate his ticket or went straight up to train.
Also, he went up the both platforms, searching for translink employee, so he went to lengths to get his ticket validated.
If they can see that on the security video, surely they would understand and cancel the ticket right?


In the letter, they are saying "Although I can empathize with the circumstances", rules are rules. He shouldn't have entered fare paid zone regardless of any reasons, blar blar blar :seriously:

I think he will end up paying for the ticket, even though he's not a PR here...

you weren't there, so you can't say for sure what your gramps told you is 100% fact. if I were you, I would believe my own relative over a joe blow cop... but you, yourself have no idea what actually happened.

[SoNaRWaVe]

as shitty as this is, due to your circumstances, i think it may be easier to simply just pay the ticket and get this over with. the time invested and the hassle just doesn't seem worth it. just swallow your pride.

[ScratchedMy991]

Fun facts: A Translink cop pulls in a minimum of $80K annually.

A Skytrain attendant makes $60K.

By comparison, a CBSA officer, who is responsible for keeping terrorists, foreign diseases, sexual predators and counterfeit goods out of Canada, makes as much as a Skytrain attendant, who can't even seem to keep a bicycle off a train during prohibited hours.

For some odd reason, all we ever hear out of Translink are the financial difficulties they face. With wages like that, it's no wonder.

Sorry to hear about your grandfather's situation.

[Spidey]

Fun facts: A Translink cop pulls in a minimum of $80K annually.

A Skytrain attendant makes $60K.

By comparison, a CBSA officer, who is responsible for keeping terrorists, foreign diseases, sexual predators and counterfeit goods out of Canada, makes as much as a Skytrain attendant, who can't even seem to keep a bicycle off a train during prohibited hours.

For some odd reason, all we ever hear out of Translink are the financial difficulties they face. With wages like that, it's no wonder.

Sorry to hear about your grandfather's situation.
cool story.

[Vulture]

i was taken off the bus along with an old asian lady who didnt speak good english for not having the proper zone. the transit officer explained to us whats going on and that we had to pay for fare.. the asian lady just kept speaking chinese and the cop gave up lol and let her go. so if you're a minority pretend you dont speak english.

if you speak good english and talk some bs for a few hours:
David & the SkyTrain Policy Enforcement Officer 1/2 - YouTube

[Gridlock]

Just went with the nearest "Hate Translink" thread...

Golden Ears Bridge still a money loser: TransLink | News1130 (http://www.news1130.com/2013/09/27/golden-ears-bridge-still-a-money-loser-translink/)

MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS1130) – If you build it, they will come. Or maybe they won’t.

The Golden Ears Bridge isn’t attracting as much traffic as expected and its costing TransLink tens of millions of dollars every year.

The extent of the bleeding is anywhere between 35 to 45 million dollars annually.

TransLink revelead the numbers during yesterday’s meeting between Metro mayors and the BC transportation minister.

Part of the problem is, user projections were made before the recession, so between that, slower economic growth, and high gas prices, you have a recipe for an expensive piece of underused infrastructure.

You can also add in how TransLink agreed to subsidize the private company operating the span until numbers hit projections.

Tolls from the four-year-old bridge only started hitting pre-set targets last year.

Quality investment.

[mos_skeeto]

I have a few issues about that story. "Before the recession" is such a cop-out. I know paying off the bridge is a big issue for Translink but for us we really don't expect our roads and bridges to break even. If that was the case we wouldn't have 3 bridges into downtown.

[Gridlock]

Well yes, but we don't always sign a contract that hands over the shortfall in users in a cash payment per year either.