West Coast Express unaffected by CP Rail union strike for now

Commuter rail trains in Metro Vancouver are operating normally this morning, despite threats of a possible shutdown in service from a CP Rail union strike over the past few weeks.

TransLink says the West Coast Express (WCE) continues to operate as a train service, and the backup plan of a bus shuttle fleet has not been enacted as a result.

CP reached a tentative deal with 360 signalling workers late last night, but it was unable to prevent 3,000 conductors and engineers from starting their strike action. The conductors and engineers voted to go on strike in April and overwhelmingly rejected CP’s latest offer last week.

Although the WCE is not operated by CP, it leases time on the private freight railway company’s tracks to run the peak hour, peak direction-only passenger rail service between downtown Vancouver and Mission.

The public transit authority owns the WCE, which is operated under contract by Bombardier.

Approximately 10,000 boardings are recorded on the WCE each weekday.

The GO Train in Greater Toronto was also bracing for disruptions from the strike, but that is no longer the case.

See also

• TransLink warns possible West Coast Express shutdown due to CP strike next week
• West Coast Express could shutdown next week due to CP Rail strike
• Commuter rail services in Toronto and Vancouver could be impacted by CP Rail union strike
• 6 more B-Line rapid bus routes planned by TransLink
• 4 new B-Line routes to be launched in Metro Vancouver by end of 2019 (MAP)
• Fraser Highway B-Line will run from Surrey Central to Langley Centre (MAP)
• Lougheed Highway B-Line will run from Coquitlam Central to Maple Ridge (MAP)