TRANSLINK says it faces challenges particularly in Port Coquitlam, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore because of the heavy snowfall. There are bus delays and cancellations due to road conditions.
Customers on Thursday were being encouraged to build extra time in their commute and know before they go by checking @TransLink on Twitter, using the Trip Planner, signing up for transit alerts, or calling Customer Information at 604-953-3333.
SkyTrain is delivering service to all stations on all three lines, but service is operating slower than normal, due to SkyTrain attendants operating trains manually.
SeaBus and West Coast Express are running regular service.
HandyDART is running essential service only.
In anticipation of the snow, TransLink activated its snow plan for severe weather on Wednesday, which is a series of actions it takes to mitigate delays due to inclement weather.
Currently, TransLink is running de-icer on trolley overheads, switching articulated 60’ buses to 40’ buses, as they are more agile in snowy conditions, running special SkyTrain de-icer on the power rail to keep trains moving and running trains overnight to keep SkyTrain tracks clear, having attendants drive trains manually to avoid delays from minor snowfall triggering track intrusion alarms, installing tire socks on buses serving Burnaby Mountain, North Shore and Vancouver routes where hills and traction are an issue, and sanding and salting transit hubs.
TransLink has been in constant communication with each Metro Vancouver municipality to advise which roads should be prioritized for clearing.