June 9, 2016

Keeping the Class of 2016 Safe

New Westminster – June is graduation month for thousands of students all across Metro Vancouver. Graduates will need a safe ride home from the many events and celebrations that go along with this important rite of passage, and transit is a perfect choice.

Transit Police and TransLink have some suggestions for graduates to ensure a problem free experience and want both students and their parents to be aware of what is available.

Text Code
Transit Police offers a text code, for your phone, to report any problems that might be encountered while using any part of the transit system. Download 87-77-77 into your phone so it is handy should you need it. When you text this code, your message goes directly to the Transit Police dispatch centre and you can communicate with a dispatcher discreetly, and in real time. You can report anything that may be happening to you or around you, as long as it’s not an emergency, which requires 911.

GradPasses
For almost three decades, TransLink has offered the GradPass to students graduating from high school so they don’t have to worry about driving following graduation celebrations. GradPasses are sent to all the high schools in the TransLink service area and are distributed to the Grade 12 students. Each student receives a package with two GradPass tickets, with each ticket valid for one day unlimited travel on the system. GradPass tickets must be used in conjunction with a GoCard. Close to 57,000 passes have been distributed this year.

“Graduating from high school is an important milestone in every young person’s life and opens the door to a successful future,” said Transit Police Chief Doug LePard. “We’re pleased to help them with safe travel during the celebrations. I encourage grads to plan ahead by downloading our text code and taking advantage of the free GradPasses.”

For further information about transit routes and schedules in the Metro Vancouver area visit www.translink.ca.

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