Snowfall-induced transit disruptions in Metro Vancouver on Saturday
Residents across Metro Vancouver who live near busy arterial streets woke up to a deafening silence. Poor road conditions across the region are forcing many to stay at home for the second day in a row as snow continues to fall in Metro Vancouver.
Up to 14 cm had already fallen at the University of British Columbia campus by midnight, not including the ample volumes of snow that fell during the morning hours of Saturday. Over at Vancouver International Airport, approximately 12 cm was recorded by that time as well, and it goes without saying higher elevations and areas further east saw even more snow.
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Another two to four cms is expected to fall throughout Saturday morning and evening, prompting Environment Canada to issue an extended snowfall warning for the region.
And with such conditions, it’s not just cars that are having a tough time getting around: Some public transit services, mainly buses at this time, are significantly affected with delays or reroutings.
At the time of writing, there are no major SkyTrain delays, although there were disruptions on the Expo Line for approximately an hour earlier this morning after a tree fell onto the tracks near Joyce-Collingwood Station.
There were two major, separate snow and ice-related service disruptions on the Canada Line during the morning rush hour and again in the evening beginning at 6:30 pm until just after 9 pm. But operators say they will be running more trains today to avoid snow and ice build-up on the North Arm Bridge over the Fraser River between Marine Drive Station and Bridgeport Station.
According to TransLink, here are the service disruptions as of 9 am Saturday:
Vancouver and Burnaby
- All 95 B Line buses have been changed from 60’ foot articulated buses to 40’. All SFU service today will be 40’ buses, which perform better in poor road conditions.
- Some buses on the 3, 8 and 20 routes have been changed to 40’.
- Additional 40’ buses have been added to 49.
- Weather conditions at Marine Drive and 16th Avenue are causing delays to service. We’ve contacted the City of Vancouver to clear the affected area.
- The trolley wire incident at Dunbar and 37th is not associated with the detours for the 4, 7, 10, 14 and 16 routes as reported earlier.
- The overhead wire issues causing diversions for the 4, 7, 10, 14 and 16 routes is isolated to only affecting one stop on Granville St at Drake St. Temporary route: right onto Seymour off ramp, left onto Davie St and right back on to Granville.
- The 183, 186 and 187 routes continue on detours due to poor road conditions at Westward Plateau.
West Vancouver
- Reported wires down on Marine Drive (in the Horseshoe Bay vicinity)
- Route 250 is being diverted
HandyDART
HandyDART is currently operating essential services only for renal and cancer patients in the following locations:
- Vancouver and Richmond areas
- North and West Vancouver
- Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Moody and Port Coquitlam
- Surrey, White Rock, Delta, and Langley
- Maple Ridge
SkyTrain
Minor delays on Expo and Millennium Lines due to weather. Trains on the Expo and Millennium Lines are being attended by SkyTrain staff due to weather.
Canada Line is running additional service after 9 am and crews are working to maintain lines and guideways from falling snow.
SeaBus
- Service is operating normally.
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