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TransStink *~

> An obligatory rant on why

I hate TransLink

Jessica Berget
Staff Writer

 

I: the Metro Vancouver area, it’s not
an unpopular opinion that the city’s
transit system, quite frankly, sucks. Don’t
get me wrong, no public transportation
system is perfect—they all have their
flaws. I'll even admit TransLink does
manage to get some things right. It
serves its purpose by getting me to
where | need to go (for the most part),
but there are enough things wrong
with the system that I can understand
the hate most people have for it.

The recent development plans for
a new Light Rail Transit system (LTR)
have some people rightfully angry
with TransLink. The system will have
slower speeds, higher operating costs,
and lower frequency, and it will wreak
havoc on the environment. This is
not the first time people of the Lower
Mainland has been frustrated with
TransLink, nor will it be the last.

Just a couple years ago, TransLink

was in the hot seat because of its
proposed 0.5 per cent tax increase to
help fund major infrastructure projects.
The tax increase was voted against

ina plebiscite, since people decided
TransLink has enough money to fund
their own projects. Doug Allen, the
current CEO of TransLink, attested
that the no vote was due to the raise in
taxes, and not aimed against TransLink
itself, but he was sorely mistaken.

The former CEO of TransLink, Ian
Jarvis, received $425,000 in salary and
another $97,000 in bonuses, according
to CTV News. This was a major factor
during the vote of their proposed tax,
and understandably so. If TransLink
is as broke as they say they are, why
are taxpayers so grossly overpaying
their highest ranking employees?

The first complaint everyone has
against TransLink’s system is their
inconsistency. Buses usually show up
late, early, or sometimes not at all. I can
understand lateness. Sometimes traffic
is slow and there is nothing you can do
about it. But when the bus shows up five

(¥ Pineapple on pizza is not an abomination

(Y Student media is essential

And more!

 

minutes earlier than the schedule says
it will and I see it zoom past me while
I’m walking towards my bus stop, I lose
my mind. Even more annoying than
that is when the bus doesn’t show up

at all with no explanation. Often this

is someone’s only bus to get them to
work, school, or home, and when some
buses only run every 30-60 minutes,
this can really ruin someone’s day.

Another common complaint with
transit-users is the ticketing system.
When you buy a ticket on the bus, you
will still have to buy a compass ticket
to get onto the SkyTrain if you use
change instead if tapping in, which
doesn’t just seem like a cash grab, but
it’s a huge waste of everyone’s time
and money as well. Why not save the
extra stress and give them a bus and
SkyTrain ticket when they pay for one or
the other? Get it together, TransLink.

I have a personal vendetta against
the bus system, especially because of the
occasional rude and obnoxious driver.
“Wake up, you piece of shit!” I heard a
bus driver yell at one sleeping passenger

Photo by Analyn Cuarto

at 10 a.m. on a Monday morning. This
abuse was apparently justified, because
the man did not pay his $2.75 fare and
was riding for free. I understood the

bus driver’s anger and frustration; it
was one of the days that snow had been
plaguing the city, and there was a car
stuck in front of the bus so it couldn't
move. However, is shouting abuse at a
passenger for any reason really justifiable?
I don’t know TransLink’s policy on giving
out free rides, but I am sure it does not
support yelling at passengers. It’s just
$2.75. Does giving people a free ride cost
you any money, or cause you any pain

or suffering? No. It costs exactly $0 to

be a decent human being. Sometimes
people just don’t have change for the
bus, or—like the common experience

of almost all college students—their
U-Pass hasn't updated yet. Even I have
been yelled at and asked to hand over
all of my change for this very reason.

I can’t say I understand how
frustrating being a bus driver is, as it
looks like a difficult job. I am not saying
it’s easy, or that I can do any better, but
there is something to be said about bus
drivers who abuse their powers and their
passengers. The $2.75 should never be
a reason to disrespect someone, or to
refuse them a ride home. Sometimes it’s
their only way to get home, or it’s the
last bus of the night. I’ve also seen some
bus drivers drive right past bus stops
with people waiting, sometimes late at
night. If this is the last bus of the night,
and they don’t have another way home,
this can put people in actual danger.

Vancouver is said to have one of the
best transit systems in the world, but ask
anyone who takes the bus and you will
find that this is not the general consensus.
TransLink may not be the worst public
transportation system around, but it
definitely has its flaws. The inconsistent
bus times, the bus fares, the way
TransLink spends its money, and the rude
drivers are sure to keep people hating our
cursed public transportation system.

Drinking culture promotes alcoholism

> Why is alcohol such a large part of our society?

Cazzy Lewchuk
Opinions Editor

 

Imost everybody drinks alcohol to
some degree. Most live events serve
booze, and enjoying drinks ina social
atmosphere at home or out is the norm.
Alcoholism is one of the more
common and serious problems across
our society. It is probably the most
common addiction, and also one
of the most dangerous. In addition
to the many physical and mental
effects of alcoholism, it is one of the
few substances that can cause death
by withdrawal. Things like heroin
withdrawal might feel terrible for
those who are addicted, but going
cold turkey won't cause death.
Alcohol isn’t just normalized; it’s
actively encouraged, mostly because

of the money that it makes. Venues
rely on drink sales to stay open.
Restaurants and pubs make far more
off liquor than they do food. It’s the
most socially-acceptable drug in the
world, and the most damaging one,
as well. Excessive consumption of
alcohol leads to the deaths of millions
around the world each year, and it is the
equivalent of 1 death every 10 seconds.
Drinking excessively causes
problems. While alcohol ads do show
“please enjoy responsibly” in tiny text,
there is very little discussion about
the acceptable limits while boozing.
Everyone wants you to buy alcohol,
and to buy as much of it as possible.
Drinking dangerous amounts is seen
as the norm, particularly among
younger crowds. We've all seen people
throw up, make stupid decisions, or
put themselves in danger, all because

they were too drunk. Many of us have
our own memories of doing the same
thing. Hey, it’s normal, isn’t it?

Every illicit drug—including
marijuana—has its own side effects and
addictiveness. However, many drugs
(particularly marijuana) are safer and
cheaper than alcohol. No one ever
died from marijuana poisoning, but
alcohol poisoning is a common and
often fatal occurrence. Additionally,
while the stigma of marijuana and
other lighter drugs has become more
relaxed in recent years, the stigma of
having a sore head because you drank
nine beers is much more socially
acceptable than having a sore head
because you did a single pill of MDMA.

Those who choose not to drink are
seen as abnormal. Saying “no” when
offered booze is perceived as unusual,
and is certainly less common than a

“yes.” There are many valid reasons
for people to not drink, but society
pressures us to drink at as many events
as possible. Non-drinkers are often
questioned or otherwise stigmatized
for refusing to partake. Some controlled
substances, like cigarettes, have
restrictive packaging and advertising
standards. However, marketing for
alcohol is not subjected to the same
rules, despite its potential dangers.

I like drinking. I do my best to
do it in moderation, and I have felt
the effects of overconsumption and
addiction in myself, and seen it in
others. However, I strongly feel the
dangers and risks of a pro-drinking
culture are often ignored in favour of
profits—and to avoid ruining the fun.
Alcohol shouldn't be illegal, but it also
shouldn't be found everywhere you go.