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DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE
Canada .........................................................411
International ................................................. 0
EMERGENCY
Ambulance/Fire/Police. ......................911
Ambulance ..........................604-872-5151
Fire ........................................604-215-4842
Police ......................................604-717-3321
Poison Control ................604-682-5050
VISITOR SERVICES
Destination BC.............1-800-435-5622
Tourism Richmond ......... 604-821-5474
Tourism Surrey ................604-531-6646
Tourism Vancouver ..... 604-683-2000
Tourism Victoria ........ 1-800-663-3883
Tourism Whistler ......1-800-WHISTLER
TAXIS
Black Top and
Checker Cabs ........................604-731-1111
MacLure’s Cabs .............604-683-6666
Vancouver Taxi .................... 604-871-1111
Yellow Cab.............................604-681-1111
From your mobile ............ #8294 (TAXI)
TRANSPORTATION
BC Ferries........................1-888-223-3779
HandyDART ....................604-575-6600
TransLink............................ 604-953-3333
YVR Airport ...................... 604-207-7077
VEHICLE RENTALS
Avis ...................................1-800-879-2847
Budget ..............................1-800-299-3199
Hertz ...............................1-800-263-0600
BABYSITTING
Nannies on Call ............. 1-877-214-2828
West Coast Child Care
Resource Centre ..........1-877-262-0022
PETS When your dog poops, you must
scoop it or risk a fine. dogs must be
on a leash except when in one of the
city’s over 30 clearly designated off-
leash dog parks. animals (other than
certified assistance animals) are not al-
lowed in restaurants or bars. translink
allows small animals in cages on board
buses, the Skytrain and the SeaBus.
PUBLIC TOILETS there is no charge
to use a public toilet in Vancouver.
Several busy street corners have
self-contained, self-cleaning toilets.
Shopping malls are another handy
place to find clean washrooms. facili-
ties in cafes and restaurants are often
reserved for customer use only.
SMOKING Smoking is not permitted
in stores, restaurants, bars, parks,
beaches or the seawall. most buildings
do not allow smoking near their front
doors. those caught smoking in a
smoke-free area risk a fine.
TRAVEL
ArOUNd VANCOUVEr By TAxI the
city and surrounding areas are well-
serviced by taxi companies, making
this a convenient option. in Vancouver,
all cabs are metered so there is no
need to negotiate a fare. Rates do not
include gratuities. When travelling
from Vancouver international airport
into the city, taxis charge a flat fee
based on zone. in inclement weather,
leave extra time for travel as taxi
companies are often busy during this
time. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles
are available; simply ask for options
when booking.
ArOUNd VANCOUVEr By TrANSIT
Bus routes connect with the three
Skytrain rapid transit lines and SeaBus
passenger ferries, all part of translink’s
transportation network. translink’s
reloadable compass card is available for
purchase at vending machines, transit
stations and terminals, as well as many
drugstores and convenience stores.
load a single fare, monthly pass or pre-
paid balance. pay your fare by “tapping
in,” and “tap out” (except on buses)
when you exit to avoid overcharging.
fare evaders risk a hefty fine. When
travelling on the Skytrain from Vancou-
ver international airport into the city, a
$5 surcharge is added to the standard
fare. all buses can carry a limited
number of bicycles, and most routes
are wheelchair-lift equipped. Visit the
translink website at www.translink.ca
for information on accessible transit,
including handydaRt’s door-to-door
service. text the stop number to
333-33 to receive times for the next
six buses. foot-passenger ferries to
granville island, downtown and around
false creek are operated by aquabus
and false creek ferries. Smoking is not
permitted on public transport.
ArOUNd VANCOUVEr By BICyCLE
cycle-friendly Vancouver has a large
network of traffic-calmed bike paths
and dedicated bike lanes. use these
designated routes when available or
ride on the road. Bikes are not permit-
ted on sidewalks. cyclists are required
by law to wear helmets, and bicycles
must be equipped with a bell. theft
is common, so securely lock your
bicycle. cyclists can take their wheels
on trankslink’s bike-rack-equipped
buses, the Skytrain and SeaBus, as well
as some aquabus ferries. Rent a ride
from one of many bicycle rental shops,
including several on denman St. near
Stanley park. a bike-sharing program is
operated by mobi.
ArOUNd VANCOUVEr By CAr a
vehicle isn’t required to navigate the
city centre—especially when consider-
ing traffic and parking challenges—but
it is convenient when travelling to
destinations beyond. a valid driver’s
licence issued by your home country is
required. Note that the posted speed
limits are in kilometres, not miles. it
is illegal to drink and drive, and using
a handheld electronic device while
behind the wheel may result in a fine.
Buckle up, as seatbelts are mandatory.
Read parking meters carefully to ensure
your car is not towed. often residential
parking requires permits. the city
hosts car-sharing service car2go, but
you must be a member to hire a car.
Continued on page N15
SUNShINE Vancouver may boast one of Canada’s wettest climates, but the city’s hardly
water-logged: there are 166 measurable days of rainfall per year, compared to 289 days of sun.
N6
where.ca
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subject to a 7% provincial Sales tax
(pSt) as well as a 5% federal goods
and Services tax (gSt). liquor is an ex-
ception, and is taxed at 10%. Note that
canada no longer uses the one-cent
coin (penny), so cash purchases are
rounded up or down to the closest five
cents. this does not apply to credit and
debit card payments.