TransLink preparing to keep transit moving during tomorrow’s snowstorm

METRO VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – As we bundle up and prepare for what could be a pretty dicey day on the roads tomorrow due to the snowfall warning in effect, TransLink is doing what it can to ensure people get where they need to go.

“There are a number of initiatives on SkyTrain, Canada Line, bus and HandyDart to make sure that we can keep moving people, even when it snows,” says Jill Drews with the transit authority.

Read more: Snowfall warning in effect, several centimetres expected tomorrow

In the past, there have been issues with SkyTrain in wintry conditions. Drews notes some trains weren’t able to make it over some hills.

“But we have put some new initiatives into place to counteract that, one of them being heat tracing. It’s an element that runs along the power rail to keep heavy ice build-up melting and keep the trains running. Also, we’ve put cover boards over the rail, as well, to keep snow from falling on it and building up that way. We hope that both of those measures together will reduce the risk of ice.”

“We have had some snow already this winter and it seems to be working quite well,” she adds.

We’ve also seen trolley buses have problems on hills on snow days.

“Our service, in terms of bus, is only as good as conditions are on the roads,” admits Drews. “But when it comes to powering trolley buses, we do have a fleet that can spray anti-icing agent on the entire 300-kilometre long routes of electric trolley overhead system to prevent any ice or frost from building up and stalling the buses.”

TransLink is also going to use snow socks, if needed, on buses on the SFU/Burnaby Mountain runs. The socks are essentially blankets made up of Kevlar threads and they are put over tires to increase traction.

“We haven’t used them yet… We have done some tests and they appear to perform quite well,” says Drews.

Expect to see extra staff on transit tomorrow, including more SkyTrain attendants and Transit Police.

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