SkyTrain fears blown out of proportion

Re: Poll measures SkyTrain fears (NewsLeader, July 3)

Some SkyTrain stations are currently in the media spotlight for being “scary” to many people, but a closer look at the survey puts things in a different perspective. In particular, reports state 21 per cent of respondents to a survey found Surrey Central was the “scariest” station.

But that figure, contained in a report by NRG Research Group as part of TransLink’s development of a business case regarding controlled access and Smart Cards, is actually 21 per cent of a sub-set of respondents who had stated they did not take SkyTrain at some point in the past because of concerns for their safety.

NRG conducted a telephone survey of 1,606 people in which 24 per cent stated they did not take SkyTrain at some point in the past out of concern for their safety. Among this 24 per cent group who had security concerns, 21 per cent—56 respondents (3.5 per cent of the overall sample)—rated Surrey Central as the station where they had the most security concerns.

In the case of Metrotown station, six per cent of those concerned about personal safety—14 people or one per cent of the sample—identified that station as the one where they had the most security concerns.

TransLink’s online survey (www.translinklistens.ca) showed slightly different numbers, but a similar end result. In total, 1,410 people took part in the survey: 34 per cent said they did not take SkyTrain at certain times due to perceived security reasons. Of that number that had security concerns, 16 per cent—63 respondents, (4.5 per cent of the entire sample)—had the greatest concern about Surrey Central.

Significantly, the NRG survey also finds the level of insecurity is much higher outside SkyTrain stations compared to inside the stations, suggesting feelings of security are related more to the environment and conditions that people experience in the surrounding area while making their way to SkyTrain stations and bus loops.

Watch for an upcoming SkyTrain Security study soon to be released, in which over 2,500 Metro Vancouver residents stated they avoid underground parking lots at night more than they do SkyTrain at night. They also told us SkyTrain at night, bank machines at night, and downtown Vancouver at night are all avoided by equal numbers of people.

Drew Snider

TransLink