TransLink ready for snow

Photo: TransLink

TRANSLINK says it is ensuring all transit services are prepared for potential snowfall.

Current weather preparations include:

  • Calling in extra staff to coordinate service.
  • Coordinating with municipalities on snow-clearing if priority routes are impacted.
    • Phone line capacity has been recently doubled to improve communication.
  • Preparing special trucks to spread anti-icing solution on trolley wires.
  • Replacing articulated buses with 40’ conventional buses, when necessary, as they are more agile on steep, slippery areas.
  • Coupling Millennium Line trains into four-car configurations to increase capacity, with SkyTrain attendants ready to monitor guideways.
  • Readying a special overnight SkyTrain which sprays de-icer on the power rail to keep trains moving.

If conditions worsen, the following tactics may be deployed:

  • Install brass “cutters” on some trolley buses to cut through ice on trolley wires.
  • Install tire socks on buses on Burnaby Mountain and specific North Shore and Vancouver routes, where hills and traction are an issue.
  • Implement Snow Shuttles.
  • Position SkyTrain attendants at the front of each Expo and Millennium Line train to improve reliability on the system by limiting emergency braking triggered by heavy snowfall.
  • Run trains through the night if snow is especially heavy to keep tracks clear.
  • Equip HandyDART service with two staff members per vehicle to ensure customers get safely to their door.
  • Activate further staff increases to assist customers across the system.

To prepare for snowfall, transit riders are encouraged to build in extra travel time and plan commutes using Trip Planner. Customers can also sign up for Transit Alerts, follow TransLink on Twitter (@TransLink), or call Customer Service at 604.953.3333.

 

More information:

TransLink Winter Travel Guide

Trip Planner

Transit Alerts