The policy applies to all employees of TransLink, Coast Mountain Bus Company, BC Rapid Transit Co., and Transit Police.
The bus order will support Coast Mountain Bus Company, TransLink's largest operating company, providing over 96% of the region's bus service.
The order was supported by the Federal Gas Tax Fund, through which the Government of Canada provides funding for municipal infrastructure, including public transit. The funds are administered in B.C. by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
Coast Mountain Bus and TransLink bus drivers recorded unpaid fares 2.5 million times last year. The actual number is expected to be higher. A recent TransLink audit found fare evasion across the system rose 120% from an estimated $6.6 million in losses in 2001 to $14.5 million last year.
Area bus drivers are said to be "furious" with the ruling.
With a new fare payment system and fare gates slated to be introduced on its SkyTrain rapid transit system in 2013, British Columbia's TransLink is beginning to explore what will become of its effective police force once the new fare system is introduced.
Coast Mountain bus drivers are again calling for more transit police on buses in an effort to stem an increase in driver assaults.
Coast Mountain Bus Co., TransLink and the Metro Vancouver bus drivers' union are working together to stop assaults on female bus drivers, by calling for tougher sentences and stronger legislation, and installing cameras, GPS systems and assault alarms on buses.
Agency taking preventive measures to guard against assaults on drivers.
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