The Canada Line in Vancouver. Photo by Volodymyr Kyrylyuk / Shutterstock
TransLink was named the best large public transit system in North America by the American Public Transportation Association on July 24. However, not everyone thought the accolade was deserved.
In fact, the overwhelming majority of Vancouver Is Awesome readers remarked that they do not support the selection. While many people commented on how the other nominees must have been absolutely horrible, others asked if the award was actually a joke.
The award's criteria was based on a number of factors including: ridership growth, operational efficiency, maintenance initiatives, customer service, financial management, marketing and sustainability. In response, a number of locals commented on how TransLink's buses are consistently late and inefficient, while others noted that other systems are simply better.
Lower Mainland riders took to Twitter to voice their dissent, and the comments continue to pour in.
Huh wha? I don't think your joke funny!
— Raj Singh (@RajuSinngh) July 25, 2019
Really?
— Free Wings (@shadowsmg) July 24, 2019
How? Between granville and burrard stations? Lol
— Uncle Rem 🇨🇦 (@AMENREMINISCE) July 25, 2019
I’ve lived in Toronto and I can tell you it’s better there
— TJ MacDonald (@tjmacd21) July 24, 2019
If that’s true, than every other city seems doomed, since it doesn’t seem that great here.
— Ela Egatenmaier (@saintloui17) July 25, 2019
Buses are always late on my route. Btw ridership grows with population growth so not much of a bragging point. Oh ya and lots of buses smell and are outdated.
— Gavin Reid (@GSaxReid) July 24, 2019
— rdp (@rande3p) July 25, 2019
It’s better than Victoria’s, but every transit system is better than Victoria’s!
— Alison Edwards (@Edwards_Writing) July 25, 2019
With the bad news in mind, a few Lower Mainland commenters felt that the scathing remarks were undeserved. Some people noted that Vancouverites were rather entitled, and simply don't realize how well their system operates. Similarly, a number of users mentioned that while the system has its faults, riders would be hard-pressed to find one without any shortcomings.
Because most people in Vancouver are entitled as hell and don't realize how good they have it. They want a bus to deliver them directly to the door of their house and their destination. Seattle was wanting to model their transit system on Vancouvers years ago.
— Anthony Fortunaso (@Fortunax22) July 24, 2019
People complain and disagree. certainly not without its faults. But which city is better? Asking for real. I don't know.
— Not Tom Hansen (@not_tomhansen) July 25, 2019
We just need to improve it, it’s not the best but I’m grateful for what we have, at least I get to DT in 24min on the canadaline from Richmond and I love it. ❤️🙏👍
— Sunita (@SunitaJangra1) July 25, 2019
