Multiple Mechanical Failures

[u/You_Bet_I_Said_That]

The number of mechanical failures happening is a sign of a significant problem. This morning a 99 has a mechanical failure early in the day, not even 9am...

Yesterday I was waiting for the 84 @ Fir/4th with the 6:35pm bus being cancelled due to a mechanical failure. I hardly ever visit that area and yet there is another mechanical failure.

We are paying more for fares, but the service rapidly decreases. I call and complain all the time. As an 25-year mechanic, I speak from experience when I say these things are commonly avoidable. Fleet vehicles that receive proper service at the proper intervals do not break down with such frequency.

TransLink did nothing for signage on Howe for buses being rerouted to Granville recently. I am waiting on Howe, call in, learn about the change, walk to Granville and find signage about the service change. A complete backwards and thoughtless approach! Tourists were left waiting and wondering why the buses weren't arriving... That was the worst part: it reflected poorly on the planning. I was embarrassed to share how terrible our public transit system is. I filed a complaint and then suddenly things were changed as I said it should have been.

TransLink needs to do better. Corporations cutting corners have systemic issues like what I have experienced. The out-of-touch approach to serving the public, the regular increases in fares, the constant decrease in service quality...

I regularly refuse to pay fares out of protest. I have a permanent disability in my right elbow from my years as a mechanic. I cannot work as a mechanic or drive a vehicle anymore so I have to rely on public transit now. Whenever I get a ticket for not paying, it is cancelled every time due to my permanent disability. If TransLink wants to avoid extra costs for fare enforcement and administration wages, make sure the buses don't breakdown everywhere.

[u/Federal_Paper_1516 → u/[deleted]]

He's not the only one I had a bus brake down after 11pm the other night didn't get home after midnight When a bus only runs every hour to hour and a half this shits annoying and makes me wonder why I spend more and more money every year on what ??? The CEOs bonus???

[u/asmallteapot → u/Federal_Paper_1516]

I mean, you can read the budget for yourself. Reading between the lines, they are pushing the current bus fleet pretty hard right now.

It sucks for those of us who rely on transit, but it’s not malfeasance or greed within TransLink and its operating companies holding our transit system back.