Transit Police say SkyTrain riders could be fined for forcing doors open

VANCOUVER – Transit Police are issuing a warning to riders who they say have been forcing SkyTrain doors open to exit the train if there is a short, isolated delay.

In July the Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines experienced lengthy delays during two system-wide shutdowns.

A number of trains were stopped between stations and many passengers were stranded in the cars. As the delay continued, some passengers pried open car doors and left the train to walk along the guideway.

Transit Police say although the system is designed for safe evacuation, this is a dangerous practice as portions of the track are charged with 600 volts of power and the risk of electrocution is present.

At the time of these incidents, police said they would not be ticketing people who had left the train. But they say now this practice is becoming more common after only a short delay.

“Transit Police are at the point where we must advise anyone who would consider taking this kind of action on short, small, isolated delays, that there are enforcement actions that can be taken,” they say in a release.

Passengers could now face fines of $115 for interfering with the operation of a transit vehicle and $115 for preventing or delaying the closing of a transit vehicle door.

If, during the investigation, it is determined that significant damage has occurred, there was a serious threat to public safety and/or this is a repeat offence of this nature for the offender, a criminal charge of public mischief will be considered.