- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Translink
Category: Hotels & Travel Transportation Public Transportation Public Transportation [Edit]
590 Beatty StVancouver, BC V6B 2L3
Neighbourhood: Downtown
(604) 682-7887
26 reviews for Translink
26 reviews in English
-
Review from S R.
5/24/2012
pros: clean, newer buses. they come frequently and are reliable. routes are logical and easy to understand. fare is reasonable - generally $2.50 for one ride and 90 min transfer good for buses, trains, and ferries. very friendly bus drivers. im so used to american bus drivers that are almost always rude and have a sense of self-entitlement, that i was caught by surprise in canada.
cons: there is only one drawback that i can see, but boy was it a big one. SYSTEM MAPS (pamphlets that show all the lines and major bus stations on one map) ARE ESSENTIALLY NON EXISTANT. in other words, if you dont know where the bus lines go, and you dont have internet access on your phone (read: tourists), you're basically screwed. there are no system maps at the information booths we stopped by (they were out), and they dont have them in the buses or bus stops. i was completely dumbfounded that such a progressive country/city with a good transit system could make such a big snafu. -
Review from Deanna S.
4/17/2012
Anyone who knows me in real life, knows how stoked I was to move to Vancouver and get away from ETS.
"What is ETS," you ask? Why, it is Edmonton Public Transit, AKA: the worst transit system in the world.
They have 1 LRT line that goes from North to South Edmonton, and doesn't even go to the famous West Edmonton Mall. The buses and trains run on their own schedule. Sometimes they come a few minutes early, and you miss it... sometimes it comes 20 minutes late, and you miss what you were going to.
Seriously, it's bad. And I swear 10 years of my life have been shaved off thanks to the stress ETS has caused me.
Whenever I hear Vancouverites complain about Translink, I want to punch them in the head. THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW BAD IT COULD BE. And they are spoiled! I have no problem waiting for 2 minutes for the next train to come during rush hour... Sure, I throw a mini hissy fit in my head when the Skytrain car is too full for me to cram myself in... but whether I get home from work at 5:30 or 5:35 is not a big deal. And of course it's kind of gross... it's public. Anything public is automatically going to be grosser than anything private. But again-- it's not nearly as gross as anything in Edmonton.
Also, there are Skytrain police at almost every station making me feel safe and secure. This is not the case back in Edmonton... where it isn't uncommon to see people shooting heroine on the trains (let alone, at bus stops or in stations).
I do not have a car (or even my drivers license for that matter), and I have always relied on public transit to get around. Cars are not only a huge waste of money (resell value is never even close to what you pay off the lot, insurance and gas prices are ridiculous, etc.) so unless I were a millionaire, I could not justify ever buying a car just for the luxury of getting around faster and in private (and from what I hear, traffic is usually pretty bad too...). Not to mention, cars are probably one of the most selfish ways we can pollute our environment... AND, they can make people lazy.
The Skytrain has been able to take me everywhere I've ever needed to go... and if the Skytrain doesn't go somewhere, a bus does. And the times are reasonable. I could be up to Grouse Mountain from downtown within an hour. I could be at the airport from downtown within an hour. You can't even get to the airport using public transit in Edmonton!
The only thing I have to really complain about is the price. While I know that to have a transit system this great is going to be pricey... a 1-way ticket that goes 2 zones is $3.75 on a normal day?! Is that FOR REAL?! A 2-zone bus pass is $110?! That SUCKS. Especially for someone like me who lives downtown and pays an extra $30/month to go ONE STATION into zone 2. That's like an extra 2 minutes of transit time...
When I first moved here, a buddy told me all about how he's never paid for a Skytrain ticket before in his life. He always just hops on, hops off. I don't blame him... if I weren't a goody-two-shoes scared to get fined I would probably do the same. And every month I pay $110 for a pass that gets checked MAYBE once (and I take the Skytrain round trip 5 days a week).
That is unacceptable. I'm sure that the number of "hop-ons" who don't pay is really high given the lack of enforcement they have. I wish they would put more police on the trains checking tickets/passes/transfers. Start fining the people who aren't paying (AND FINE THEM A LOT), so that more people pay fares and the price can go down. That way, they learn a lesson (it is stealing after all) and pay like the rest of us. -
Review from Brian S.
4/17/2012
After years of talking about it I gave up my hobby car. Now Bring on the Buses Bring on the Trains. Although my main way to get around town is bicycle.
Translink is a useful second option especially on weekends to get downtown to attend events. I also have put my bicycle on the Sky Trains/Canada Line to get home quick after a long or late Surrey/ Richmond based bicycle rides or events.
Overall Translinks Bus Driver's are helpful when answering questions about routes or waiting the extra 15 seconds I need to load or unload my bicycle from the on-board racks.
It be great if Translink had a REAL MOBILE APP that updated users in real time about system wide transit conditions.
Translink Directors need to directly elected by the People in a clear one Person one Vote system. I support my tax dollars being used to fund a well planned safe public mass-transit system. -
Review from Robin M.
3/1/2012
1. STOP BLASTING THE HEAT WHILE YOU WEAR SHORTS, BUS DRIVER. It is haat and stank up in this hizzy, and I don't need any dry air blasting that fact up my nose to remind me of this.
2. Stop talking on your cell phone, bus driver. It's not just you -- I'm not allowed to do it when I drive either.
3. Stop letting the junkies holding plastic containers full of used and semi-used needles on to the bus, bus driver. This is dangerous. And gross. Also: this same problem adds to the stank-factor in #1.
4. Stop taking off when you see me running toward the stop, bus driver. I know you see me, and I know you're "behind schedule" but I'm wearing heels, it's raining, and I've got two dollars and fifty cents more than some of the other people (see #3) you've let on that I'm willing to pay to get from point A to a spot that is almost somewhere near point B. Almost. Somewhere.
4. Get rapid transit that is useful (see: cities such as NYC, London, Tokyo) and runs most of the 24 hours of the day, Vancouver. For real. You are a big city now, so please: act like one.Listed in: No Car? No Problem!
-
Review from Hailey C.
Vancouver, BC
5/8/2012
I hate you. You make me sad. You smell.
-
Review from Ron S.
North Vancouver, BC
4/15/2012
I've been using transit in Vancouver for many years now, and the service has gone downhill so much in the last year.
I was riding the bus in Vancouver since it was still BC Transit, and drivers were kind, thoughtful, and actually decent drivers. It has all gone out the window since it changed to TransLink, but especially within the last 2 or so years.
I've had many, many bad experiences with TransLink staff over the past few months (never a dull moment on transit, I always say), but describing all of my gripes about them would take a very long time, so I'll just keep is as quick as possible.
Okay, on to the actual review.
Friday afternoon, I was on my way home to North Van (I live in NV and work downtown), and as I got off the Canada Line, up the stairs to the seabus clock, I saw that there was just over a minute left until departure. So, I booked it down the ever-so-long walkway, and as I got to the turnstiles at the end, the clock says 03,02,01. I asked the employee hovering around the turnstiles "will I make it?", and of all the responses, hers was "can I see your ticket?". Before I go any further, I take the bus, SeaBus, and CanadaLine each twice a day, that's 6 different "vehicles" per day. My ticket is checked only one of those times daily, as I get onto the bus heading to Lonsdale Quay in the morning. If I'm riding the bus that frequently, and I'm only checked once a day, there's something wrong with that system!! I have a monthly 2-zone bus pass, so there's no issue there, but they seriously have to brush up on their system instead of letting their employees chat at the seabus while people brush past them.
Anyhow, back to the story,
So, the SeaBus lady asks for my ticket, and I exclaim "of all the bloody times, why now?!?!? I'll miss the SeaBus!" Well, she mentioned that she controls when it leaves, so I'll be fine, but still. Of all the times to check (and I see her almost every day just chatting with the other employees. I know it's her job, but seriously, employees shouldn't be able to pick and choose when they work.
So, TransLink, listen up.
You NEED to make sure your employees are checking tickets. You are losing thousands of dollars a week with this sloppiness. Plus, what's this I hear of some "transit police" making over $100,000 per year? f you like, I can put on a little uniform, chat with other co-workers, and act like I have the run of the place if you like. I'll gladly take that 100k per year for doing nothing.
Bottom line:
~ Ensure that your employees are doing what they're payed excessively to do.
~ Make sure your employees focus a little more on customer service (drivers and security staff alike)
~ Increase timeliness of buses-I live on Lonsdale Ave in North Van, and the 229/230 buses are NEVER on time.....usually 7-10 mins early. That is a BIG no-no when you're encouraging people to take transit. Understand, it's not appealing at all to have to wait half an hour in the cold and rain for the next bus.
~ Whatever you do, please don't even think of raising fares....not going to fly with your loyal customers such as myself.
I hope someone from TransLink reads this, and realizes what their company's reputation has become.
Anyway, enough of my rant, hopefully some people have better luck that I on transit ;-) -
Review from Vernus C.
Vancouver, BC
11/27/2011
I have been taking transit for quite a while now and one thing that drives me nuts is how close each stops are esp the #41 route. Stops are literally placed 50 to 100 meters apart and chances are, you highly likely will end up on a bus with a driver who is rude and heavy footed on the gas AND the brake. Now imagine spending 30-45 minutes trying to get to and from joyce and UBC! On top of that, you guys are NEVER ON TIME!!!!!!!!!
Now let's talk about the Skytrain! Yes the Skytain. The new ones are nice spacious and relatively clean but the, i wouldn't even use the word old, antique trains are nasty and dirty. I myself is relatively tall and sitting down in one of the antique train's seats is pretty uncomfortable not the mention a lot of the seats are damaged. If I don't have a U-Pass and I have to pay $3.75 for a 2 zone ride, I will be expecting a much cleaner and comfortable interior and of course CONSISTENT SERVICE!!!!!!!
On a brighter note, I like how you are able to track the buses with the new translink app but other than that i'd say translink as a company, not being harsh or anything but just being realistic, is pretty much a fail. -
Review from sabrina a.
Vancouver, BC
8/26/2011
I used to live on Nanaimo and 1st so I had to take the bus#7 - it was a mess.
Now I live Kingwsay and St. Catherines and have to take bus#19 - it used to be on time, now it's a mess.
The service seems to be getting worse, yet the fees are raising almost every year, oh and let's not miss the last bus/train home at night coz guess what: this city doesn't have a 24 hrs service!!! -
Review from Gina I.
2/7/2011
I take transit because I have to. I have to because I do not want to drive downtown and pay $170+ a month to park my car. If I had money to park my car, you bet your buttocks I'd drive than taking the bus full of smelly people and a**hole bus drivers.
The bus, oh the bus. 1 in every 10 driver is nice. Meaning, they make eye contact with you when you get on the bus, say hello or don't drive like they're drunk.
I'm really tired of getting on the bus and getting lurched forward and/or into someone else. Also, the back doors, sometimes people like to get out that way ... without having to yell "BACK DOOOORRRRR!!!"
Don't get me started on the aggro drivers who think it's their duty to make everyone on the bus feel like they're being steered towards death. Every time I get on the bus I think to myself about how my obituary is going to play out 'She died on Transit. Bless her soul'.
The stereotype that bus drivers are miserable are probably mostly true.
Don't get me started on the Skytrain.. -
Review from Louise G.
4/3/2011
On the weekends we try as much as possible to go car-free.
Walking is our prefered method of transport, as I'm 'in-training' for my annual participation in The Weekend to End Women's Cancers.
However sometimes we need some help getting home, especially when our walks have taken us far away and we've picked up things along the way.
We've always had decent drivers. The only time we've ever had an issue was with a drunk passenger who was abusing the driver verbally from halfway down the bus and making all of the passengers uncomfortable.
Somehow my honey and another passenger telepathically formed this plan to remove him from the bus at the next stop and voila - he was shown to the door.
Translink - you provide a decent service. Thank you to all the drivers who make it possible while suffering through the abuses of the public. -
Review from Corey G.
5/7/2010
I thought I was a Smooth (bus-riding) Operator. I mean, I totally mastered the Portland Transit system....However, I think I know what my crutch was: my iPhone.
I decided to try out the Vancouver Bus system---sans iPhone, and I quickly found I was a blind commuter. With no feel for the layout of downtown, bus routes, or a general direction of where I was going (Stanley Park), I rode the bus in a trepidatious state.
Because of this, I ended up hoping off the bus and then jogging about 10min to Stanley Park (I didn't want to get bus-ed to the opposite side of town).
I didn't give up though. I made another bus trip later in my trip, and this one was much easier---although it was really only one stop.
Perhaps when I move to Vancouver and am able to frugally use my iPhone at will, I will be more masterful of the bus system. Until then, it's one-stop or walking for me. -
Review from Faye S.
Vancouver, BC
10/4/2011
For the most part I love the sky train. It runs regularly and is a quick and easy form of transport. But why does the sky train begin so late in mornings on weekends?! I google mapped last night to see how I could get to King George Station by 7am on a Saturday and it said I could get a 6am sky train. I get up at 5am to be there on time and to my horror the sky train is closed! First sky train not until 7am. Now I am not only extra tired but I am going to be late for my gig as well! No good
-
Review from Doug G.
9/3/2010 9 Check-ins Here
Not a bad system, depending on where you want to go.
We sold our vehicle and have depended on Translink now for 10 years. Since we live near Edmonds Skytrain station, and work near Burrard Skytrain station, we have it good. To get anywhere that is not on the train system can be more challenging however.
+ I love that on the old Expo line, trains run frequently - you seldom wait more than a minute to catch a train. Too bad Canada Line is not so frequent.
+ I find most drivers helpful and courteous.
- It's frustrating that after funneling thousands of people into the downtown core to the bars in the evening, the skytrain stops running so damn early. I've heard Translink officials make lots of lame excuses, but surely we could have the occastional train run through the night so we don't have to race home so early in the evening.
- I find the Skytrain Police too busy talking amongst themselves to actually do any good. They are never around, you always see them huddled together in a corner of a station chatting. They need to be on the trains, doing their jobs - I've had to fend off too many drunks and bums with no sign of help anywhere in sight.
On the whole, we've got a pretty good transit system. But there's lots of room for improvment. -
Review from Eros A.
7/23/2010
We took the bus to go up to Grouse Mountain and on our way there it was quick and easy; but on our return the bus would only pass by our stop every hour... and with the number of tourist I was pretty nervous that we were not going to make it on the first one to pass by...
You would think they would have more buses or the frequency of be faster in such busy, tourist attraction. I was a bit disappointed on that; but I can't complain much... we didn't pay either way! -
Review from Sarah O.
2/19/2011
The 250 has been my mistress for the past few years. She's reliable and her number is always easy enough to remember no matter what condition I'm in. Even though other buses take me to where I need to go, I'm always saving myself for the 250. But as in all relationships, problems start to arise after some time. $2.50 for gas money everytime I see you? And how come you never want to come by my house late nights anymore? Our romantic rendezvous has become cheap thrills after the summer passed. You started bringing weirdos, smellys and drunks into our love nest.. even your friend the bus driver insists on talking to me about awkward things in front of everyone, such as nudity and pasties in burlesque shows and my home address. Things get worse at night when you drink. You start coming around in your abusive state with your crazy friends. Last night a man sneezed and he didn't cover his mouth. Okay, it's gross but most people just cringe, hold their breath and deal with it. But your friends are different. One guy got up and chewed the other guy out, saying, "You disgusting filth, cover your gosh-darn-mouth you sicko. You're unbelievable, you trash, etc etc.." and promptly moved seats. Whoa, take it easy man. It's gross yes, but if you hate it that much, enough to perform an exorcism on someone for sneezing, why dont you buy yourself a car, or just don't take the bus?
Anyway, I don't like your friends and quite frankly, I am starting to lose my feelings for you too. -
Review from Megan S.
12/13/2008
There are so many great things to say about Translink. I'm so glad it's here!
I love that one fare can take you on the bus, skytrain, and seabus. Every route I've taken I've found to be quick and easy. The B-Lines in particular are very convenient- 98 for North/South, and 99 for East/West.
My small complaint is the price. I no longer take the bus for a daily commute. So I don't have a monthly pass. So now I'm always weighing the cost- and unfortunately it often turns out that it's cheaper to drive! (I'd prefer to never drive again!) But for 2 people to ride the train down to Commercial is $4-5, and if you dare to stay longer than your 90 minutes, then you've got to cough up another $4-5. So 9-10 bucks is easily beat by 50 cents of gas. Sigh- I know, it's the sad truth.
However, make sure you swing into 7-11 and get the book of discounted tickets! 10 tickets for $19- so your fare price (at least in zone 1) drops from 2.50 to 1.90. Slightly better! -
Review from Michael L.
7/21/2009
As a first-time visitor to Vancouver, I did some homework in figuring out which bus routes to take to get me where I needed to go.
In short, this is the best bus system I've ever ridden on. The buses are clean, come often, and are on time! Granted, rides across the border of Vancouver and Richmond can get a tad expensive @ $3.75, the extra transfer you get within an hour and a half can mitigate things if you're on a multi-stop tour through the city.
You pay for what you get, and I'd much rather ride the bus than spend a bunch on a taxi!
One small note: it's hilarious (at least to me) how the buses actually display "Sorry" before "Out of Service". Or maybe it's just because I'm from the land of rude Americans where simple courtesy does not mean much at all. So yes, even the little things like so have made very good impressions on me about Vancouver, and Canada in general. -
Review from Josh A.
North Vancouver, BC
2/7/2011
I've lived in a lot of different cities in Canada and the US and taken transit in all of them.
I would say that Vancouver doesn't have the worst transit I've experienced, but it comes close.
-Fares: 1/5 stars. Very high fares yet they are doing poorly financially? time for a revamp! If you are unlucky to live near a "zone" border, you can pay $3.75 for a 10 minute ride. Going to work that'll cost you $7.50 a day/ $37.50 a week/$180 a month. Simply stunning.
-Taxes -0/5 stars. TransLink is raised the PST on parking in Vancouver from 7% to Twenty One percent. Yep, they somehow are able to tax parking, and somehow are able to justify a 21% tax. And still do poorly financially.
-Train system: 4/5 stars - the trains actually work most of the time and get you places quickly. A lot of cities don't have an option like this.
-Busses arriving on time: 2/5 stars.
-Bus drivers: 0/5 stars. The reason I decided to write this review is the perplexing driving style of translink's bus drivers. Again I've lived and taken buses in many cities. The bus drivers here are certainly the worst I've seen. Being grumpy is one thing, but stomping the gas pedal, stomping the brakes, causing people to hang on for dear life and frequently fall down on the bus? what is that about? I won't even get into all the busses downtown running red lights, blocking intersections, blocking traffic, sideswiping cars, etc.
The last city I lived in was Calgary, and I found the bus drivers there were often cheerful and polite, or at the very least drove like they were sober.
I love Vancouver but the busses are not a pleasant experience - this leads me to driving a lot more often. I think this is a common theme, based on the heavy traffic.
With such aspirations to be the greenest city in the universe, we need GOOD transit that common working folk can AFFORD! -
Review from Geoff B.
12/17/2009
You know, I had no idea Vancouver had such a third rate transit system, and it's my primary means of getting around (besides my own two legs). Shows what I know, I guess. To read some of these reviews it would seem that way, but I don't buy it.
Honestly, there is some room for improvement with Translink. We're not up to Portland standards yet (my personal benchmark for transit). But I can tell you Vancouver's system isn't too far off either. We could use more buses on the busiest routes and the hours on the Skytrain don't make a lick of sense (the trains are automated, how much could it really cost to keep them running two or three hours later), but almost every one of the drivers I meet is friendly and helpful. In fact, I got to know one of the drivers on the 25 fairly well last school year. They'll generally help you out if you want a specific stop or need directions (they're not always experts on where things are, though, so their directions may not be perfect).
With the completion of the Millennium and the Canada Lines Vancouver is finally getting towards a complete, high capacity, modern transit system. It's a slow process, but eventually they will even have a line down the Broadway corridor to UBC, relieving one of the worst congested transit routes in the city. The relatively recent replacement of the ancient trolley buses and the upgrade to hybrid buses on the busiest high capacity routes is more evidence of improvements.
Plus, I just discovered that the city and Translink are putting in a modern demonstration streetcar between Olympic Village station and Granville Island. Sounds like they're doing it in anticipation of putting in a whole system of streetcars around the east end of False Creek and through downtown. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm way excited to see that.
Keep it up, Translink. You'll be world class at this rate.Listed in: Van Trans
-
Review from Tim L.
8/18/2008
They run our local transit and I always wonder what they do with our money. You'd think the amount fares are and what not would mean vast improvements in the transit system.
The new Canada line should be pretty awesome, but more consistent service and perhaps 24 hr service (At least in the city core) would be much appreciated. -
Review from Sheila W.
BC
12/13/2008 1 photo
People always complain about the bus. I refuse. It's the bus, and the bus system in Vancouver is the friendliest of any city I've known (and I've lived in Ottawa, the US, Ireland, Scotland, Greece and Japan).
The B-Line busses are so frequent and convenient. Sure they get packed, but isn't that a sign of their success? I've never had trouble getting anywhere in the city using the bus system. There's even night busses that you can catch home after a night out on Granville Street, which is often faster than taking a cab (good luck flagging one once the bars get out).
They've also gone high tech. You can text and find out when the next bus is coming to your stop. Their website has a great trip-planner that allows you to choose which way you can get around from multiple route choices and gives accurate trip times.
The drivers are really nice. They always take time to help people with wheelchairs get parked safely. Drivers greet you as you get on the bus and lately I've even noticed a lot of young, fairly handsome men behind the wheel. A ride costs $2.50 within the city (for the bus, not the handsome drivers ... get your mind out of the gutter) and you don't have to worry about parking, traffic, or having a few glasses of wine! -
Review from Joyce D.
Burnaby, BC
9/16/2009
Translink bites the big one for a myriad of reasons. First and foremost, not all drivers, but a good many of them hate their job. I mean they must the way they swing the bus around and slam on the brakes while looking into the drivers mirror and grinning on the inside. I have encountered more bully asshole bus drivers in the past couple of years than ever.
I used to take the #410 to Richmond every morning and would shudder when I seen the same power loving jackasses pull up which would automatically mean I would be late for work. A few of the drivers absolutely kept the passengers hostage while they refused to budge until every toe was behind the red line, even it took 10 minutes before they left. News flash don't let so many on than cuz we have no where else to go. It is the rare occasion when you see a bus driver pull up with courtesy and class, instead they stop and when you try to flash your bus pass they retort ok, cmon hurry up get on and when you try to walk by them, they stop you again to look at the same bus pass to show you who the boss is.
Now it is not only the buses, skytrain has it's special moments too, namely in the guise of Transit Cops. These guys abuse their power more than anyone I have ever seen in my life. Now I get the fact they get bonuses based on the number of tickets they write but they seem to honestly get a kick out of screwing with someone. Some of the cops are much, much worse than others and I have witnessed rudeness that wasn't necessary. It is a shame really!
Now while I have a chance I might as well touch on the hours of the skytrain. Is this some kind of a joke or something. In comparison to Toronto, which has the best transit system going the skytrain here pales in comparison. It is ridiculous when it comes to hours. Try going out and leaving a pub crawl at 1 and see how fast you can run to a skytrain only to find it locked, gate pulled down, 50$ cab fare ahead.
But seriously, Translink is already behind the times but not when it comes to squeezing the last possible buck out of someone. We get far too many increases and it is getting out of control.
I could go on but what is the point. We unfortunately are waging a lost war when it comes to fighting Translink. While I appreciate the new Canada line in all its glory, Translink itself is a real sore point with me. Take into consideration BC's lowest wages when it comes to a price increase for a job that hasn't been that well done. -
Review from Doris L.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 2/8/2011
I'm giving translink one more star today beause of the driver I had on the 17 bus today. He waited for me as I ran for the bus across the street (I had to wait for the light to change beause I'm not good at real-life Frogger).
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/7/2011
Oh translink... translink... translink. What would I do without you? Actually get to where I need to… Read more »
-
-
Review from Sonya R.
Burnaby, BC
11/10/2009
This review is partly in response to Joyce. I too have been really mad for a long time with the short hours of the train... I've thought it over, and I think that the reason the Skytrain closes so early is, well the hours are more convenient for operators of course, but I think there may be some kind of agenda behind it... you know, keeping people off the streets late at night. The bars close at around 1 or 2, which is also quite early for some countries. But yeah, I don't think that's ethical. People will still be out drinking.. they're just screwed because of cab fare. And those who have cars can stay out as long as they want. Am I reading too deeply into the socioeconomic biases behind this policy?
A bonus I see with Translink that I value immensely is that you don't need to walk through any barriers getting to the train! Life is easy, life is free, run, enjoy the fresh air as you go up the stairs. I mean I love that. After experiencing Paris, New York, and Czech metros, I can't get enough of our trust system.
As for rude drivers, check out SFU's 145. I get on the 2d stop after Production way, and I have been passed so many times by a half-full bus. Nothing can describe my powerless, blinding rage as my tiny, wholly inconsequential in size self comes to grips with being late for class. But I can't be too harsh... I love riding through the sky, I love how clean it is, I love walking to it unhasselled, and you can call a help line to help you track down something you lost on the train.. but small shuttles sometimes have drivers that induce nausea out of what seems like spite and arrogance, and the hours do need to be longer. So my thoughts on it? Ambivalent. -
Review from David L.
12/8/2009
So, I've been punched by a psycho bus driver for no reason once in 1999 while I boarded the bus in the morning while I showed him my bus pass. I screamed out loud at the bus driver, "WHY DID YOU PUNCHED ME?" The bus was half full and many people on the bus told me to report him. The bus driver didn't say sorry or give me a reason why he punched me. I never did report the bus driver because I felt sorry for the freak. The bus driver was either drunk or high on drugs.
My coworker witnessed another bus driver punching passengers for no apparent reason at night. My coworker eventually reported the incident to Vancouver Police. It is very rare to not having been punched if you take Translink. There are lots of people high on drugs while on Translink, and I've been punched twice by passengers too! It's the reason why driving is very popular in Vancouver. Sadly, Translink bus drivers drive like maniacs like running red lights and not yielding for pedestrians at the crosswalk. The scariest thing I've witness on a Translink bus was a bus driver who was snoozing with his eyes closed while driving the bus. The Translink bus driver eventually hit and killed a pedestrian in Burnaby, as it was reported on the news and I recognized the bus driver - "it was him who sleeps and drives", I said! The 2010 Vancouver Olympics is coming soon... and will Translink bus drivers smarten up for the world?
The only time Translink bus drivers became more sane was when The Province/Vancouver Sun/Global News did stories about maniac Translink bus drivers in the Great Vancouver area and it was front page news. It seems then, the bus drivers started to yield to pedestrians and not running red lights, but it last only like a week or two after the media reports.
I completely stopped taking Translink after 1999.
If you take Translink, wear body armour and watch out because you might get punched, kicked, spat out, or not watch out, people are known to defecate and urinate on the seats. I highly recommend taking boxing or martial arts classes before taking Translink because it might come in handy so you can dodge out maniacs on the bus.
If you drive, make sure your car is sporty enough to weave and stop on a dime around those crazy Translink bus drivers.
TRANSLINK = WORST BUS DRIVERS IN NORTH AMERICA! -
Review from Mia J.
Vancouver, BC
9/16/2010
I am not sure what to do so thought I would try posting on here to see if anyone has any advice. I have filed a complaint with Translink but have not heard back yet.
My daughter, who is 24 and clearly special needs, travels on the bus system with her assistance dog and has done so for two years without incident. Yesterday she was challenged by a driver when she transferred at 41st and Granville. The dog wears a bright yellow, clearly labelled assistance dog vest. It is 10 pounds in size and was being carried. My daughter tried to show her the dog's id tag but the driver refused to look at it. She said the dog could only be a seeing eye dog and walking on the ground. She was joined a few minutes later by another bus driver getting a lift. He became very angry and aggressive towards my daughter who by this point was in tears. He was not even working - he was off-duty and had no authority to criticize her. Other passengers attempted to intervene and were told to mind their own business. I am apalled at this treatment. She called for help after getting off the bus. Several people came after her to ask if she was ok. I am not making a complaint about whether they were doing their job and what kind of id the dog needs. My concern is how she was treated by both drivers when she clearly has trouble communicating.
