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Etiquette on Transit

Illustration of passenger with backpack and headphone

Taking transit means sharing space. Even the simplest actions can make a trip more pleasant for everyone.

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    Etiquette While on Transit

    For the safety and comfort of everyone on board, please keep the following in mind.

    • Seats are for people — not feet, luggage, or bags.

    • Remove your backpack, especially during busy times, to make room for other passengers.

    • Keep noise (including conversations, phone calls, and personal music devices) to a minimum.

    • Please be considerate with personal hygiene. Avoid strong scents to prevent allergies or asthma in other riders.

    • Please don’t eat or drink on board to help keep transit clean.

    • Wait for passengers to exit before you board.

    • Respect personal space – keep a comfortable distance from other riders when possible.

    • Always keep your proof of payment — for example, a ticket, or your Compass Card — with you. Be ready to show a uniformed employee if asked.

    Illustration of one passenger offering a seat to a pregnant woman

    Seats closest to the doors are for passengers with mobility needs. This includes the following groups:

    • people with disabilities

    • pregnant people

    • older people

    • people with injuries

    Please remember that not all disabilities are visible. If someone asks for your seat, please take them at their word and give up your seat.

    If you are in a priority seat, be aware of those around you. Look up at stops to see if someone needs a seat.

    For more on travellers with accessibility needs, visit Accessibility on Transit.

    TransLink’s rules prohibit smoking and vaping on TransLink property and vehicles. Additionally, Customers are reminded to comply with all applicable laws, bylaws and regulations relating to smoking and vaping of tobacco and cannabis products, including the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act (BC) and regulations, the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (BC) and regulations, and the municipal bylaws of the municipalities in which TransLink provides transit services. Please be considerate of your fellow passengers and members of the public and avoid smoking and vaping where prohibited.

    West Coast Express (WCE) services have their own on-board rules, including:

    • Stow carry-on items beneath your seat.

    • Be careful when moving through the train, especially on stairways and between cars.

    • Familiarize yourself with the exit routes and location of onboard emergency equipment.

    • Follow instructions from conductors and/or West Coast Express staff.

    Entering and Exiting Transit

    Passengers getting off the bus at bus bay 2

    When entering and exiting transit, try to keep the following in mind:

    Escalators

    • When using a station escalator, stand on the right to let others pass.

    • Please use the elevator if you're travelling with a mobility device, stroller, bicycle, luggage, or other large item(s).

    SkyTrain and West Coast Express

    • Tap your card, ticket, or mobile wallet to the card reader at the gate (or validator for West Coast Express) as you enter and exit the station to validate your fare.

    • Keep the doors clear.

    • Let others get off before you get on the train.

    • Don’t hold the doors open, as this causes delays and could even shut the whole train down.

    Bus

    • Tap the card reader when you enter the bus. You do not need to tap out of the bus.

    • If paying with coins, put exact change into the farebox. 

      • When paying cash on buses, you will be given a paper bus transfer. Show this to the operator when you transfer to another bus.

    • Enter at the front of the bus and, when possible, exit at the rear.

    • If you are travelling with your bike, if possible, sit near the front and exit from the front of the bus.

    • Wait for passengers exiting the front (such as wheelchair users or passengers with strollers) to exit before you board.

    • Don’t stand near the doors. It makes it hard for passengers to enter or exit the bus, and can confuse our bus operators.

    • When paying cash on buses, you will be given a paper bus transfer. Show this to the operator when you transfer to another bus.

    Stand beside or behind the bus stop sign pole when waiting for a bus, safely back from the curb or roadside. Plan to be at the stop before the bus arrives, as this increases the chance that the operator will see you when approaching the stop.

    If there are others waiting for the bus, please form a line to ensure a smooth boarding experience.

    Board the bus at the front and exit out the back unless otherwise noted. When the bus stops, give the doors a push on the labelled strip to open them.

    When travelling with a stroller on our system:

    • The maximum size for strollers is 61 cm (24 in.) by 122 cm (48 in.).

    • Let the bus driver know if you need the ramp.

    • Make sure your stroller is not obstructing aisles or doors.

    • Before the bus departs, make sure to hold the stroller and that the brakes are on.

    Bus Operators may request that you leave the accessibility area to accommodate other priority customers who use wheelchairs, scooters, other mobility aids, or seniors.

    Pets on Transit

    Pets are allowed on board transit services, provided they are kept in an appropriate carrier. Follow these rules when travelling with non-guide or non-service dogs:

    • Pets must be kept in small, hand-held, fully enclosed carriers that fit in your lap, with no part of the animal exposed.

    • Carriers must be clean, odour-free, and with no sharp edges.

    • Carriers may be placed on the floor, if they do not impede other passengers. They may not be placed near doors.

    • Only one pet per passenger is permitted.

    • Dog strollers are not permitted.

    • Pets are not allowed on HandyDART. Assistance animals are accepted.

    Please keep in mind that drivers may refuse to allow pets on board, at their discretion. This may be because of a risk to other passengers or because of limited space. We recommend travelling during off-peak times.

    Pets on SeaBus

    Two spacious pet crates available for customers boarding with their pets

    • Pet kennels are provided for customers boarding with their pets, conveniently located in the embarkation waiting area. There are a total of four pet kennels, with two kennels available on each terminal:
      • Vari Kennel Ultra – 24"H x 22.5"W x 32"D
      • Petmate - 24"H x 22.5"W x 32"L
    • Pets must be placed in the kennel prior to entering the waiting room area
    • Dog strollers are not permitted
    • Board SeaBus through doors 3 or 4 and place the kennel at the muster station area. Please be reminded doors 2 & 5 have priority boarding for wheelchairs & scooters
    • Please do not block the aisles or impede other passengers
    • Two pets per passenger permitted
    • Pets are to be in the kennel and secured until the destination is reached, and the passengers have commenced exiting the vessel
    • Kennel must remain on the SeaBus and will be returned to the appropriate terminal by staff.
    • Due to Operational requirements and space constraints on the SeaBus, only two kennels are allowed per sailing. You may experience additional wait times when both kennels are in use.

    For information on Guide and Service Dogs, please visit our Guide and Service Dogs section.


    Accessibility on Transit

    Learn what systems and services are available to make sure you feel comfortable when travelling.

    Learn more

    Rules and Regulations

    Help keep our system safe, secure, and pleasurable by reading our Rules and Regulations.