Make Transit Part of Your Active Lifestyle
In what other city can you whip up to the ski mountains in the morning, back down and across town to catch a ferry in the afternoon, then return to the airport at the end of the day – all by transit? We probably take TransLink for granted now, but visitors to Metro Vancouver are constantly amazed by our rapid mass transit network. It certainly performed like a dream during the Winter Olympics so maybe it's time we took a closer look and kept it in the spotlight a little longer.
visitors to Metro Vancouver are constantly amazed by our rapid mass transit network
The Many Benefits of Transit
- It's kind to the environment. On average, one bus emits fewer polluting fumes than 20 cars.
- Buses are safe. Riding a bus is 79 times safer than riding in a car.
- Save money. Think about stacking up your bills for maintenance, insurance, gas and parking against the cost of your monthly pass.
- Stay healthy. People who use public transit tend to be healthier than those who don't. Even the short distances walked to and from transit hubs and the home and office all add up.
- Reduce congestion. By taking public transit, you're reducing the number of cars on the road, which eases traffic congestion and cuts down on commute time.
- Improve communities. Public transit increases the livability of communities. When more residents have access to transit options, the standard of living in that neighbourhood increases.
Etiquette Tips on Using Transit
- Don't block the doors: If you prevent SkyTrain doors from closing, it's possible you could wind up shutting down the entire train! And in order for people to board transit, people first need to be allowed to get off. Please stand back at boarding areas and allow passengers to exit, or make room for others when you're already on the train or bus.
- Leave the courtesy seats: the seats closest to the doors are reserved for people with disabilities or older travelers. If you need to take a rest on one of these seats, be aware of others coming on board who may need it and offer your seat to them.
- Keep the volume down on your music: be aware of your volume and those around you. If you notice people singing along to the words of a song you're listening to, your music is way too loud!
- Don't eat on the run: eating your meal with one hand, hanging onto a safety bar with the other can have disastrous results. Do yourself and everyone around you a favour and save the eating for after your trip.
- Store heavy or bulky items appropriately: backpacks, luggage, grocery bags, or laptops - large bags can be difficult for people to move around. Please remove your backpack, and ensure heavy bags or large items are stored on the floor and out of the way for others. Putting down heavy items helps you too, as standing while holding extra weight on transit can make you the equivalent of a Weeble Wobble!
- Walk left. Stand right. This is an internationally-accepted common courtesy when using an escalator. Just like driving, stay on your right unless you're passing.
Share your transit stories and experiences with other users. Leave a comment below to add to this article or start a TravelSmart conversation about using transit.