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Fares go up, service stays stagnant

The last increase in fares did not increase service. It remained the same.

So, the exalted, overpaid transit authority is planning to raise the already exorbitant fares to be even more exorbitant, which is purported to go toward increased transit.

It is to laugh. The last increase in fares did not increase service. It remained the same. Too bad that, in its infinite wisdom, TransLink did not put in turnstiles. With turnstiles in place there would have been enough money in the coffers to provide the ever-promised increased transit and probably afford the huge salaries the heads of TransLink enjoy.

I know it is almost a crime to mention cities on the other side of the mountain but here goes.  When going to Toronto, when one arrives at Lester B. Pearson Airport, one walks out the door, gets on a bus, and drops in the sum of $2. The bus takes you to the subway station and, with a transfer in hand, one can travel across back and forth and up and down Toronto and back to the airport.

Montreal  Metro is slightly dearer and in New York City, where turnstiles have been in use for close to if not more than 100 years, their fares have not increased appreciably over the last number of years. In Ottawa, where they have one of the best bus transport systems in Canada, without turnstiles, no one rides for free. Not one of these cities mentioned have the dreaded zone fare.

Think of it, to go from Surrey to Vancouver and back, three zones, it is a $10 round trip.  That’s two-and-a-half trips in Toronto and at least two trips across Montreal and New York City.  When will the increased fares give the service the money is intended to provide?

 

J.R. Marshall

Surrey