MASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE?
TransLink and B.C. Transit are in talks with Dr. Bonnie Henry about mandatory face-mask policy for transit-users
TransLink and B.C. Transit are in discussions with Dr. Bonnie Henry about implementing a mandatory mask policy for public-transit-users.
If it goes ahead, a rule requiring face coverings would align the two systems with other major transit agencies across Canada.
However, neither agency wanted to comment Wednesday about their talks with Henry’s office about how a mandatory-face-covering policy would work on their systems, and provided identically worded emailed responses: “We won’t pre-empt the outcome of those discussions.”
Masks aren’t currently mandatory — though they’re strongly recommended — on both TransLink and B.C. Transit systems, to the dismay of many riders.
Almost 13,000 people have signed an online petition asking TransLink to revise its plan, and Henry and Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart to listen to public concerns.
Face coverings are already required on most major transit systems in the country, including those operated by the Toronto Transit Commission, Société de transport de Montréal, OC Transpo in Ottawa, the City of Edmonton and Calgary Transit. Even some smaller systems, such as Lethbridge Transit, are mandating masks.
At a Mayors Council meeting last week, TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond said the organization estimates that about 40 per cent of customers are wearing masks on transit. Desmond said more widespread mask use will be key to restoring trust and confidence among transit users.
Desmond didn’t say that masks would be made mandatory on the TransLink system at that time but left the door open when he said there would be “more to come on that conversation.”
TransLink launched its safe-operating plan in May, which recommended the use of non-medical masks while waiting for and riding transit. A few weeks later, it began the “Wearing is Caring” campaign, handing out about 25,000 masks to customers in the weeks that followed. The transit authority has also put up posters and stuck decals throughout the system to promote the use of face coverings and non-surgical masks.
Face coverings are also “encouraged” on B.C. Transit buses, which operate across the province, outside of Metro Vancouver, and there is a campaign underway called “Together We Ride”.
B.C. Transit didn’t provide an estimate of what percentage of its customers are wearing masks, other than to say it has seen an increase in the use of face coverings as a result of its campaign.
Henry has frequently spoken in favour of wearing face coverings on transit because it’s very difficult to maintain two metres of distance between passengers. However, she has said it’s up to transit authorities to mandate masks.
Asked on Tuesday if she anticipates announcements about mandatory mask use in the coming weeks, she said: “I don’t know that the absolute decision has been made yet but I certainly would encourage it. I think that’s an important business thing to do, both at TransLink and B.C. Transit.”