Passengers on public transit in Richmond – and across the Lower Mainland – can send a simple text if they feel there’s a situation on transit making them uncomfortable.
This might be if they’re worried about another passenger or feel someone is doing something illegal.
While Metro Vancouver Transit Police urge passengers to call 9-1-1 immediately if there’s an emergency, in non-emergency situations, a simple text to 87-77-77 will elicit a response from transit police.
The number has been in use for about 10 years, and recently Dave Jones, head of Metro Vancouver Transit Police, explained to Richmond city council how texting Transit Police is monitored 24 hours a day.
In 2022, Metro Vancouver Transit Police received 4,805 text reports, which resulted in 2,541 police files.
“The reason it works so well is because everyone on a train or on transit is generally looking at their phones,” Jones said. “So, without looking like you’re dialling, you can text and it’s live-monitored.”
When a passenger texts 87-77-77, an automated reply will come immediately to verify they’ve reached transit police.
They will then be asked information to determine where they are located – this includes a SkyTrain or Canada Line train number or bus number, displayed inside each train car or bus.
They’ll also be asked their current location and details about the incident or suspect.
At a recent community safety meeting, Jones explained how transit police recognize that many vulnerable people use the transit system.
Fare enforcement reduced
While it wasn’t at first popular with TransLink, Jones said they’ve been “severely reducing” fare enforcement.
“We’ve tried to make a major shift in supporting the individual who needs access to the system versus penalizing people who access the system,” Jones said.
Individuals who don’t have money to pay can approach transit police for a pass or access to the system.
While transit police have a “Targeted Mobile Enforcement Team,” Jones said their mandate is to “target the problem, not the people.”
Transit police recommend all passengers save the number 87-77-77 in their phone.
