August 31, 2018

Important Tips for a Safe Ride Heading Back to School and Work after the Labour Day Weekend

New Westminster – Metro Vancouver Transit Police is committed to ensuring that everyone has a safe ride on our transit system and reaches their destination safely. With students heading back to school and people heading back to work after holidays, trains, buses and the SeaBus will be extremely busy and often filled to capacity during rush hours.

While our officers will be on duty throughout the transit system, we are asking our passengers to assist us in keeping our system safe. Report any problems or anything out of the ordinary to us …….See Something, Say Something. Enter our Text Code, 87 77 77 into your mobile devices so that you can report any issues to us, discreetly and in real time. This will give us the opportunity to deploy our officers quickly and efficiently. In an emergency call 911, whenever possible.

Here are some safety tips for a safe ride that can be used for a good discussion with family members, both adults and children alike.

TRANSIT POLICE TOP 10 TIPS FOR A SAFE RIDE HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL AND WORK:

1. Plan your journey ahead of time and make sure you appear confident and know where you’re going.

2. Be mindful of fast moving trains approaching stations – stay behind the yellow line.

3. Stay alert to your surroundings. Avoid being engrossed in your personal electronic device – consider removing one earbud to stay in tune with what’s going on around you.

4. Keep purses, backpacks, totes etc. secure and carry wallets in an inside pocket. Keep all electronic devices close to you and, when not in use, out of sight. Be especially vigilant when seated or standing near doors.

5. If placing larger items on the floor during travel, keep the items firmly between your feet, if possible, to maintain control of them.

6. Make sure you are familiar with safety features throughout the system such as two way intercoms and silent alarms (yellow strip) on the trains. Do not hesitate to use the red emergency phone located on train platforms to summon help from transit staff in an emergency. If you are on a bus and have a problem, tell the bus operator and ask them to get help.

7. Look for uniformed Transit Police officers, SkyTrain, Canada Line or SeaBus Attendants or Transit Security if you feel threatened or have a problem. Don’t hesitate to ask us for directions or help to find your bus or train. We’re there to help. If you are a young person and there is no transit staff member in sight, ask an adult for assistance.

8. Quietly move away from anyone you feel is a threat or a problem on the platforms, at the bus loops or on the trains or buses.

9. Use Text code 87 77 77 to discreetly send us information regarding non-emergency situations on the bus, train or SeaBus. Download the code in advance so it’s ready to use if you need it.

10. Don’t Panic! A Transit Police Officer, SkyTrain Attendant or Canada Line Attendant is as close as the next station and will assist you. If on a bus, speak to the operator who can contact Transit Security and/or Transit Police to assist.

By working together, we can ensure that your experience on our transit system will be a safe one. Have a great and safe year!