Metro Vancouver transit strike moves some UBC, SFU classes online

Some classes moved online at UBC and SFU due to Metro Vancouver public transit strike

UBC bus exchange. (Dialog)

Metro Vancouver’s two largest post-secondary institutions have informed students and faculty that some in-person classes on campus will be moved online or provided “asynchronously” for the duration of the public transit strike impacting bus services.

Both the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) have indicated that their campuses in the region will remain open, but students and faculty should look for communications from their professors on whether alternate learning session arrangements will be made.

The strike started at 3 am on Monday, as 180 bus operations supervisors with TransLink’s Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) walked off the job, resulting in a full shutdown of bus and SeaBus services across Metro Vancouver. These supervisors coordinate, manage, and lead thousands of bus drivers, engineers, mechanics, and other workers.

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UBC says a working group has been started “and is exploring ways to mitigate the impact on students, faculty and staff at UBC Vancouver.”

However, as of Monday morning, there will be some disruptions to in-person learning and students will receive communication on what the arrangement will be.

UBC is urging drivers to be prepared as well since there aren’t enough parking spots for everyone, and there aren’t overflow parking areas.

TRANSIT ALERT: Due to strike action, bus and SeaBus service has shut down across Metro Vancouver. Campus remains open but some classes may have moved online. Read more: https://t.co/dV3EqPd3W6 pic.twitter.com/gj4goqcZ01

— UBC Media Relations (@UBCNews) January 22, 2024

“Employees who perform necessary work that requires in-person attendance are expected to come to work. Speak to your supervisor if you are concerned about not being able to travel to campus or arriving late,” UBC says.

SFU says it is hopeful all parties will come to an agreement soon.

“If you have classes on Monday or Tuesday and have not yet been informed of your class status, please look for communication from your instructor by email or in Canvas. Classes may be moved online, asynchronously or cancelled,” reads SFU’s bulletin on Monday morning.

The university is also increasing the vehicle parking capacity at its campuses at Burnaby Mountain and Surrey.

The majority of UBC and SFU students in Metro Vancouver rely on public transit to get to campus, particularly on buses for at least a part of their trip.

The potential for additional online classes follows the cancellation of in-person classes on multiple days last week due to heavy snowfall.

Other local post-secondary institutions such as the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Capilano University have announced there are no plans to change their learning and operations due to the transit strike, and classes and exams will proceed as scheduled.

In an update at 5 pm Sunday (today), TransLink stated SkyTrain Expo Line, SkyTrain Millennium Line, SkyTrain Millennium Line, and West Coast Express will continue to operate as normal on Monday.

“At this time, CUPE Local 4500 can only legally picket bus and SeaBus,” continues TransLink’s update late Sunday afternoon. This is in response to CUPE 7000’s threat early Sunday morning that its members operating SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium lines could also join the picket lines and shut down these train services, based on a plan by CUPE 4500 to picket outside SkyTrain facilities.

However, there are reports that a full strike on train service may begin Monday afternoon.

This is a developing story.

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