Public transit users are now being told to wear masks while boarding or waiting for transit at any indoor or sheltered stations and stops.
The change comes as a result of the B.C. government’s order mandating mask use earlier this week.
Transit police, say TransLink, will enforce the order and can issue fines of $230, subject to some exemptions.
Transit users are being encouraged to report people who are not following the rules to TransLink staff, adding that they should not attempt to enforce the order themselves.
Specific changes customers must now observe are as follows:
• In addition to transit vehicles, masks are now required at any indoor or sheltered location where people are boarding or waiting for transit, including stations, platforms, bus stops, bus loops, and bus exchanges.
• Face shields are no longer a suitable option in place of a non-medical mask or face covering.
• TransLink will suspend the issuance of exemption cards given they are not able to exempt customers from a Ministerial Order. The Ministerial Order does allow for certain exemptions, which can be found here.
• Transit Police will conduct standard inquiries with any customer not wearing an appropriate mask or face covering.
According to TransLink, around 95 per cent of customers are wearing masks on transit and it expects all customers to comply with the changes required as part of the order.
