This thread has generated a lot of interest,obviously.
The replies have been, in some cases, very well thought out, in some very passionate, in all they've been sincere opinions making for interesting reading.
What I keep coming back to, as I read the posts, is that if we had turnstiles in the skytrain stations we wouldn't be having this discussion.
I have used many transit systems in cities on 4 continents and I have never seen one run on the "honour" system.It just doesn't work.
Back in the 80's I have to wonder at what the wizards who designed our skytrain system were thinking (or maybe smoking?)
When it first opened the great majority of my trips would be one or two stops.I quickly figured out, why buy a ticket cuz at that time, if there was a fare check, all they'd do is escort you off the train so you could buy a ticket and you could just walk away.In my case I'd be at my destination anyway so who cares?
As the system toughened up somewhat I started paying fares but when there were really no consequences I took advantage..and I consider myself to be an honest person, just yielding to temptation.
I'm not going to weigh in on the taser issue, both sides have been well stated, but my take is that, with better planning,i.e. turnstiles like everywhere else, fare dodging would be a non-issue.
