No, they aren't members of Vancouver's finest. They are hired by the transit system to catch fare-skippers and to maintain security. Nonetheless they are armed. The only non-regular force in Canada to do so.
Lately the transit security police are in the news because in addition to the regualar fire-arms they are equipped with the infamous "taser". The local media had dscovered that the transit police had on more than one occasion used the taser on non-violent but fleeting non-fare payers.
How much is the fare? It is $2.50 for one zone. Imagine being tased for $2.50 which is about the price of a latte at Starbucks.
