TransLink finally starts installing turnstiles

Photograph by: E015153

Vancouver--After years of ignoring rider complaints, hemming and hawing, claiming that turnstiles are too expensive, denying that the "honour system" is a failure, and hiring Canada's only gang of armed transit security, TransLink has finally begun installing faregates on Vancouver's SkyTrain system.  The first gates are going in at Commercial-Broadway Station, part of a $171-million project which will see gates installed at every station by 2013, and the introduction of electronic fare cards.  The fare cards, called “Compass Cards,” will cover Vancouver’s entire transit system, including the SeaBus and West Coast Express.

TransLink expects the new system will result in a boost in revenues from new ridership and reduced fare evasion.  No word on whether the totally useless Transit Police will be eliminated.