TransLink plans for full bus and SeaBus shutdown

TransLink is presenting options for commuters in anticipation of a full bus and SeaBus shutdown from Wednesday until Friday.

TransLink is getting ready by working with partners around the region to help the 350,000 customers who rely on bus and SeaBus services each weekday.

Coast Mountain Bus Company continues to urge the union to resume bargaining or agree to mediation to achieve a reasonable, negotiated settlement.

“We know the union’s job action will make getting to work, school and other important places difficult. Of the 165,000 people who take the bus to work, 60% do not have a driver’s licence or own a car,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond. “It’s our job to keep the region moving so we reached out to our partners to help give some relief. These initiatives won’t replace bus and SeaBus service, but we are doing what we can, providing options so commuters can reach their destination or connect to other modes, which are unaffected by job action.”

Transportation modelling suggests as many as 36,000 additional cars will be on the road during morning rush hour due to the union’s shutdown. TransLink is encouraging businesses to allow employees to telecommute and permit more flexible work schedules.

TransLink has arranged additional options for commuters with the help of municipalities and stakeholders throughout the region:

Transit services operating during job action

SkyTrain (Expo and Millennium Lines)
Canada Line
West Coast Express
HandyDART
West Vancouver Blue Bus (Routes 214, 215, 227 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 258, 259, 262)
Community Shuttle service on Bowen Island and Langley (Routes 280, 281, 282, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 379, 372)

Increasing SkyTrain capacity

More frequent off-peak SkyTrain service
Higher levels of SkyTrain attendants and police at stations to assist with customer flow

Increasing pick up-drop off locations

Designated unused bus stops near SkyTrain stations to facilitate pick-up/drop-off for customers

Carpooling

GobyRIDE and LiftTango carpooling platforms increasing service
UBC vanpool pilot project
Designated carpooling parking spots at SkyTrain Park and Rides

Carsharing

Evo and Car2Go are expanding their drop-off and pick-up boundaries

Cycling

Expanded bike parking at stations by introducing complementary bike valets at key stations to be operated by BEST (7 am to 6 pm)
Bicycles will be allowed on the SkyTrain all day in the last car of each train
More Mobi bikes at and near SkyTrain stations
Mobi bike share with staff on hand to respond to the volume of bikes in high volume locations
Monthly passholders who do not use any public transit during the three-day strike will automatically have pro-rated Stored Value credit applied to their Compass accounts. TransLink is asking customers to sign up for Transit Alerts, follow it on Twitter, and check the website for the most up-to-date information.