We were cc'd on the following letter from a Surrey resident. All he wanted to do was pay for parking in a TransLink park and ride lot. Of course, a parking lot takes a lot of skill and expertise to manage, which TransLink doesn't have much of. No wonder they are the defending Teddy Waste Award champions - for a different parking lot folly. Here's the letter:

Attention: TransLink Board 

On June 11, I attended the Scott Road Park and Ride and attempted to pay at the blue boxes. The only means of payment is by credit card, as the cash slots on the boxes have been disabled. I attempted to pay multiple times, but the machine would not read my credit card.

I spoke with a Transit attendant in the lot. He correctly speculated that I was approaching him in relation to the problems with the blue boxes, and informed me that this is a chronic issue. He advised me that the lot is “never checked” and that I could simply place a sign in my car window stating that I was unable to pay due to issues with the machine. The attendant also advised me that the trouble with the machine has been ongoing for some time, and although he continues to receive multiple complaints daily, he told me that TransLink is not responsible for this problem. This is perplexing to me, as I can imagine the daily loss of revenue attributable to faulty machines at this station.

Since then, I have contacted TransLink Customer Service. Once again, I was told that the problem with the machines is ongoing. I was also advised that the cash slots on the boxes have been disabled due to a safety issue; namely, robberies at the station.

The Scott Road park-and-ride is used exclusively for TransLink customers; this is not a mall parking lot, or a lot that is shared by multiple businesses. Given that this lot is for the express use of transit commuters, I trust we can agree that any issues with the lot are the responsibility of TransLink. That said, my concerns here are twofold: firstly with the inability to pay for parking and secondly with the safety and security of TransLink customers at Scott Road station.

With respect to the former, it is unethical to have a system where certain customers have to pay and others do not. Customers who have credit cards (which happen to work in the machines) are charged handsomely for parking. Other customers do not have to pay for parking, or simply can’t pay for parking and thus must try to find another lot. This includes patrons (a) who don’t have a credit card, or (b) whose credit cards do not work in the faulty machines, or (c) who have been informed by TransLink personnel that the lot is “never checked” and simply stick a sign in their window each day indicating there was trouble with the machine.

Either everyone has to pay, or no one has to pay. If this is going to remain a paid lot, then it is TransLink’s responsibility to ensure that customers are able to abide. This means ensuring the machines work, and enabling an alternative form of payment for those customers who do not have credit cards. If this means permanently placing an attendant, security guard, or police officer at the blue boxes because of the safety concern for cash-carrying customers, then so be it.  It is what our tax dollars pay for.

I am bringing this to your attention in the event that I park at Scott Road station again (although I am hesitant to do so, as there seems to be a safety concern). Could you please confirm in writing what your employee advised me: due to problems with the machines accepting payment, I am not required to pay for parking at this station. I ask for this as I have little faith that the lot is “never checked” and I will be requesting reimbursement from TransLink should I receive any sort of fine or towing fee.

Sincerely,
Wilf Graham
Surrey, B.C.