Happy Hallow’s Eve from all of us here at TransLink!

Halloween is a fun and exciting time for kids and adults alike and safety is paramount whether you’re heading out on foot, personal vehicle or via transit. The forecast is calling for a clear and dry evening of tricks and treats.

Our friends at Transit Police have six tips to help you stay safe on transit:

1. Stay alert to your surroundings. Keep valuables out of sight from others. Avoid being engrossed in your electronic device – consider removing one earbud to stay in tune with what’s going on around you.

2. Plan your journey ahead of time and make sure you appear confident and know where you’re going. Make sure to note key times such as the last trip of the night! Check out the NightBus and SkyTrain schedules to make sure you don’t miss your ride home.

3. Set a meeting place. If you are travelling in a group, plan a meeting place ahead of time in case you get separated. 

4. Be visible. Wear bright costumes or include reflective tape, glow sticks, or other articles that improve visibility.

5. Use face paint or make-up instead of a mask — if you must wear a mask, enlarge the eyes for better vision and push it back off your face when you are walking in and around train stations, and in busy pedestrian areas.

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. There are quick ways to report non-emergency police issues discreetly to Transit Police. Text 87-77-77, use the OnDuty App or call 604-515-8300. In an emergency always call 911.

If you don’t already have a costume, take extra care when choosing one. Prop swords and knives could be mistaken for the real thing. Think about how might this costume put your safety at risk. Best rule of thumb: if you’re unsure, leave it at home.

Friendly reminder that consuming alcohol in public is illegal. This includes SkyTrain stations and on-board buses, SkyTrain, Canada Line, SeaBus and West Coast Express. If you are on your way to an event and are carrying alcohol, be sure the container remains closed until you arrive at your destination.

And most importantly, have fun!

Happy Halloween!

Author: Sarah Kertcher