Should there be 'family-only' sections on transit? Recommendations aimed at increasing ridership
The addition of "family-only" compartments on public transit was among several ideas recently proposed to TransLink to increase ridership among women and female-presenting passengers.
The Surrey Board of Trade submitted five recommendations to the transit provider last week, addressing everything from fare costs to women's sense of safety on buses and SkyTrains.
"Women need to feel safe utilizing those modes of transportation," board president Anita Huberman wrote in a letter to TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. "However, we know this is not the case as women face the fear of harassment and assault while using transit."
Huberman noted that members of the board have experienced those kinds of alarming incidents personally. Reserving cabs or compartments for families could "make riders feel at ease," and increase their likelihood of utilizing public transit, she added.
Other recommendations from the board included hiring more female staff, improving lighting at transit stops, doubling the length of a single fare to three hours, and conducting research into the specific transit needs of women.
Huberman cited a recent report on Canadian women's transit needs that found women are still "overwhelmingly responsible for the caregiving of children, elderly parents and other relatives," which can mean frequent trips across cities for appointments and meetings, on top of their day jobs.
Asked whether TransLink was considering the board's recommendations, the company said Quinn has reached out to Huberman to discuss the concerns.
In an email, a spokesperson told CTV News that TransLink has already invested in improving lighting at "many stations and exchanges," including Surrey Central Station and several other hubs in Surrey, and is continuously working with police to improve safety.
"In fact, the numbers show we have not seen an increase in the number of crimes on transit. The number of reported crimes against persons has continued to fall year-over-year for the past four years, and is down 32 per cent compared to 2018," the spokesperson said.
Women also make up 40 per cent of SkyTrain attendants already, and just under 22 per cent of Metro Vancouver Transit Police officers.
TransLink encouraged anyone who feels unsafe to contact Transit Police by texting 87-77-77. Riders can also activate the silent alarm system to alert an attendant.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.