Vancouver transit etiquette fails to avoid for everyone's sake

Vancouver has one of North America’s best transit systems, but sometimes you wouldn’t know it based on frequently repeated etiquette fails.

TransLink has tried to educate riders on best riding practices over the years. The most recent addition is announcements about taking backpacks off or giving priority seats to those who need them.

But let’s face it; despite TransLink’s attempts, etiquette on Vancouver transit is hit-and-miss at best.

Earlier this year, TransLink shared nine etiquette tips for a better transit commute. However, we feel there are some additional steps riders can take to have the best and most respectful transit experience.

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Etiquette at transit stations

1. Navigating stairs and escalators

When taking the stairs or escalators up or down, you want to keep to the right if you’re standing so folks in a rush have space to walk up or down on the left. If you’re travelling in a pair, you’ll save a lot of people some stress if you don’t block their access.

If your access is blocked, say excuse me.

2. Respect the queue

This rule applies at stations and bus stops. If you see a lineup for a vehicle, join the queue and don’t budge. This doesn’t apply if a mother with a stroller or folks with mobility issues try to get in line.

3. Smoking/vaping

This rule is pretty obvious. Do not smoke or vape near a transit stop, common areas, or by a transit vehicle. There are signs posted around bus stops and inside vehicles for a reason.

Transit vehicle etiquette

4. Keep the doors clear

All Vancouver transit riders have, at some point, found themselves on an overcrowded bus. When the bus driver keeps pressing the button that prompts that voice to remind riders to move to the back of the bus, over and over and over again, it only fuels anxiety in that situation.

To help alleviate some of that anxiety, you can try to keep the exits clear so people trying to get off have a semi-clear path.

5. Leave the SkyTrain doors alone

We’ve all seen people prying the doors of a SkyTrain vehicle open like a human crowbar, but this can often delay a trip or cause damage to the doors. Additionally, it could injure you if you’re not careful.

For the sake of everyone’s riding experience, the best practice is to wait for the next train, which is usually only two to five minutes away during peak hours.

6. Have your fare ready

For the smoothest and quickest experience for all riders, have your fare or compass card ready to tap to prevent delays for those waiting behind you.

7. Seat etiquette

One of the biggest transit rider pet peeves is getting on a bus after you’ve been on your feet all day only to see a free seat occupied by a backpack or, worse, someone’s shoes.

There’s no excuse to put your bag (or shoes) on a seat. So do everyone else a favour and have it on your lap or at your feet.

8. Voice volume

Volume applies to many things. It can be quite annoying to be sitting on a transit bus and hearing someone speaking on the phone at the top of their lungs. There are no rules against chatting on the phone in a transit vehicle, but don’t use a speaker phone, and use your inside voice.

9. Bluetooth speakers be damned

We’ve all been on a bus when someone whips out a Bluetooth speaker, blaring music you might not like. Even if others agree with your playlist, headphones exist for a reason, and transit is the perfect reason to pull them out.

Leave that Bluetooth speaker stashed away in transit.

10. Food and drink

No one will be upset at you for munching on a cliff bar or drinking from a bottle of water or thermos of coffee on the bus or SkyTrain, but it’s probably not the most respectful thing to do to be having a large aromatic meal on transit.

11. Help the germaphobes

We might be out of COVID-19 times, but it can still trigger someone to cough or sneeze in public without covering their mouths. So, do everyone a favour and cough into your sleeve or hands.

If you’re sick, stay home. And always remember to be kind, calm, and safe.

12. Priority seating

Transit has priority seating for older adults, those with mobility issues, pregnant women, and parents with children in strollers. If you’re young and able to stand, give your seat to someone who needs it more, including people with visible or non-visible disabilities.

13. Say something

This item is less about etiquette and more about keeping yourself and other riders safe. The Transit Police motto is, “See something, say something.”

If you notice suspicious behaviour that could potentially put other riders at risk, there are several ways to notify the authorities. Texting 87-77-77 allows you to report an incident or situation discretely and anonymously.

14. Please, hold on

You may have been on a crowded SkyTrain or TransLink bus and stood next to someone who wasn’t holding on to anything. It can be annoying and even dangerous when someone who isn’t holding on stumbles and bumps into you.

So, as the signage on TransLink vehicles suggests, “Please, hold on.”

15. For the love of God, take the backpack off

One of the main reasons for overcrowding on transit vehicles is people wearing their backpacks. This automatically creates space issues on vehicles, including less standing room. If your backpack is off, more people can pack onto a bus.

So, do everyone else a favour and take off the backpack.

16. Back of the bus

To avoid a bus driver constantly pushing that button that reminds riders to move to the back of the bus, just move to the back of the bus.

17. Try and be kind

We’ve all been on a transit vehicle in a bad mood and maybe pushed past someone a little more forcefully than they would have liked. As much as you can help it, try your best to be patient and kind to other passengers.

Recognizing your BO and other tips

18. Mind your hygiene

Have you ever had to sit next to someone on a bus or SkyTrain and had to pinch your nose? Don’t be that person someone is pinching their nose next to.

19. …But don’t actively mind your hygiene while on transit

We’ve experienced folks cutting their nails on a Vancouver transit vehicle. That’s not something anyone wants to see or be near in a public transit vehicle. So do mind your hygiene, but do it at home.

20. Don’t litter

Like many items on the list, this one shouldn’t need to be said. Public transit is everyone’s space, so don’t litter. Save your garbage until you get off the train or bus, and then toss it where it belongs: in the trash.

Do you have other Vancouver transit pet peeves we should include? Let us know in the comments.