Person walking on tracks causes SkyTrain delays during rush hour

Jul 29 2017, 9:26 am

Train service on SkyTrain’s Expo Line was temporarily disrupted late this afternoon and early this evening due to a person walking on the tracks.

The incident occurred just before 5 pm when an individual was seen walking on the elevated guideway near Nanaimo Station, setting off track intrusion alarms. Transit Police responded to the incident and quickly apprehended the individual.

However, the disruption caused delays and crowding for about an hour during the busy peak period. Although the individual was quickly removed, it took some time for SkyTrain staff to reset the train system and return the service to its regular intervals.

Public announcements by attendants at stations informed passengers of a track safety alarm being activated.

Walking on the tracks is illegal and highly dangerous due to the moving trains and the electrified third rail on the tracks.

Transit Police investigate every track intrusion and train door opening incident. Offenders could face fines and a criminal charge of public mischief.

Most delays on SkyTrain last for only a few minutes and are caused when small objects – such as newspapers and pop cans – fall onto the station tracks, which sets off track intrusion alarms.

A system of weight pressure plates detects foreign objects on the Expo Line tracks while the newer Millennium Line and Canada Line use infrared and laser technology embedded into the tracks.

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