SkyTrain shutdown's massive crowds and long delays wear down riders' nerves (PHOTOS)
UPDATE at 12:10 p.m. – SkyTrain’s Expo Line is resuming regular service. Free transit on all services applies for the entire day.
EARLIER:
For the second time in two days, service on SkyTrain’s Expo Line has been severely disrupted during the weekday morning rush hour, causing mayhem at stations.
Trains are not operating between Joyce-Collingwood and Waterfront stations while shuttle trains are operating between Edmonds and Joyce-Collingwood stations.
- UPDATE at 10:45 a.m. – Expo Line trains are now running to Commercial-Broadway Station. However, trains are not going any further west; still no trains to downtown at this time.
Regular service is only operating between King George and Edmonds stations as well as the Millennium Line route from VCC-Clark with trains turning around at Columbia Station.
A fire near Main Street-Science World Station at 11 p.m. Thursday was sparked while crews were performing track-grinding maintenance work. Sparks flew into a bird nest under the tracks, causing a small fire but severing critical fibre-optic communications cables between the control centre and the western section of the Expo Line.
TransLink anticipates crews will finish repairs by late morning or early afternoon.
Until then, tens of thousands of commuters will have to make alternate travel plans or endure the large crowds waiting for the ‘bus bridge’ shuttles between affected stations.
As a way to show customer appreciation, TransLink is providing FREE transit for all services across Metro Vancouver. This includes buses, SeaBus, West Coast Express and all three SkyTrain lines.
Click here for a list of travel tips and alternate route options for this morning’s commute.
Here are photos and riders’ reaction tweets of the shutdown:
Image: Mel Dube
Image: Richard Yeh / Facebook
Joyce Station is mental today. Avoid if possible. #skytrain pic.twitter.com/jTWoRoSfrF
— alex rowe (@alexhaydnrowe) May 22, 2015
Lineup at Joyce-collingwood station this morning for shuttle buses #cbc pic.twitter.com/ubhYHlSC7z — Farrah Merali (@FarrahMerali) May 22, 2015
Long lineup of frustrated #skytrain users @GlobalBCMorning #joycecollingwood station pic.twitter.com/sfiMPJ9C9p
— Sonia Beeksma (@SoniaBeeksma) May 22, 2015
@BT_Vancouver #skytrain havoc pic.twitter.com/HwYo6FTTtS — Ufcvancouverbctrevor (@Ufcvancouverbc) May 22, 2015
Sorry @TransLink, not a #SkyTrain “delay” a the Expo Line is actually shut down between Joyce and Waterfront. pic.twitter.com/RGRfivpaAO
— Charmaine de Silva (@char_des) May 22, 2015
At Broadway and Commercial, lots of #skytrain riders seem surprised they have to get on a packed bus. #cbc pic.twitter.com/rDJsEKDoFi — Rafferty Baker (@raffertybaker) May 22, 2015
Transit Police telling frustrated passengers how to get downtown. I already met a guy who missed a flight. #skytrain pic.twitter.com/19rrMawRh9
— Nafeesa Karim (@nafeesakarim) May 22, 2015
Line up not only around block, winding, but also inside Joyce station. @TransLink #SkyTrain pic.twitter.com/xcxnjV59WC — Charmaine de Silva (@char_des) May 22, 2015
Bus bridge is starting to back up. Ten minutes ago, line was small. Now backed up. @TransLink #SkyTrain pic.twitter.com/IG0QqjLzH4 — Charmaine de Silva (@char_des) May 22, 2015
That line just keeps growing. Next on BT: @GS_Harper is back at Joyce-Collingwood Station after #Skytrain shutdowns. pic.twitter.com/D4tYFZ2GAc
— CityNews Vancouver (@CitytvNews) May 22, 2015
Transit supervisor informing commuters that this bus will stop at all the Skytrain Stations to Waterfront. pic.twitter.com/NENGZyqdiT — Greg Harper (@GS_Harper) May 22, 2015
Steady stream of people in line for @TransLink bus bridge after #SkyTrain shutdown b/w Joyce & Downtown pic.twitter.com/Zg1xsf4ync
— Charmaine de Silva (@char_des) May 22, 2015
You can see a bit of the burn marks up there…and plenty of places for birds to make a nest. #skytrain #cbc pic.twitter.com/Kv0U3o77oW — Rafferty Baker (@raffertybaker) May 22, 2015
Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station this morning. Lace up your walking shoes, Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/e32rQiYLqr
— Marsha Lederman (@marshalederman) May 22, 2015
No one here thought they would be hopping on the “Skytrain Delay” bus this morning. pic.twitter.com/gGAeUI9vox — Greg Harper (@GS_Harper) May 22, 2015
Wall-to-wall people lined up inside Joyce Station. Buses leaving here jam-packed. People not happy. #skytrain pic.twitter.com/8pQzfEWAfn
— Nafeesa Karim (@nafeesakarim) May 22, 2015
Massive mess inside Joyce Station as frustrated people wait for buses. #skytrainshutdown pic.twitter.com/6AwUwk4pgb — Nafeesa Karim (@nafeesakarim) May 22, 2015
Crews working to repair 1 m of damaged cable near Main Stn after sparks from grinding work ignited bird nest at 11pm pic.twitter.com/oDP3FFxN7D
— Nafeesa Karim (@nafeesakarim) May 22, 2015
Big spiralling line at #Joyce #Skytrain station as frustrated people wait for buses. #transit #shutdown #news #livehit A photo posted by Nafeesa Karim (@nafeesakarim) on
#SkyTrain work vehicle on the tracks just east of Main Street. Tonight’s shutdown reportedly the result of a fire. pic.twitter.com/kpkkk4m1ry
— Jordan Armstrong (@jarmstrongbc) May 22, 2015
Last day taking the Skytrain and it sets on fire. I better get a tan & burn some mad calories on this 2hr walk to work @TransLink /p>— Caryl Sinasac (@CarylSinasac) May 22, 2015
Yet another #skytrain issue. Yet another unwanted scenic trip home. Argh! Voting against today! #bcpoli #vancouver #millenium #expo
— Liz M (@lizalizm) May 22, 2015
@TransLink “yeah it’s really not our fault” ironic that track maintenance doesn’t include sweeping for bird nests. #skytrain #birdmageddon — DJ Scotty Evil (@Scotty_Evil) May 22, 2015
The number of news helicopters circling the workers trying to fix the skytrain lmao
— Good Puppy (@BulletWolf) May 22, 2015
On days like this, I am so f’n glad I don’t have to ride SkyTrain to work. — Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) May 22, 2015
People are bigger #Skytrain bandwagoners than they are for the Canucks. It works 99.9% of the time, SHIT HAPPENS, get over yourself
— Alex Land (@alexlandahoy) May 22, 2015
@NadineJones02 I just found out the SkyTrain is down! Arrrrrgggggghhhhh — Leslie (@lwrobins) May 22, 2015
If y’all are taking the skytrain, you might wanna call your work and tell them you’ll be late. — feeling annoyed
— Keeper of the Wind (@MarkTheShaw) May 22, 2015
Bus never showed up, and #Skytrain is only half working. It’s going to be one of those Fridays, isn’t it? — Rick Evans (@IMatricksI) May 22, 2015
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