A mechanical issue on the Canada Line that caused significant delays Wednesday morning has now been fixed, says TransLink.
Shortly before 8 a.m., trains stopped along the Canada Line as a train stalled between Bridgeport and Marine Drive. By around 10:30 a.m., TransLink tweeted that the mechanical issue had been resolved.
#SkyTrain The technical issue for Canada Line has been resolved. We are in process of returning to normal service but there are still delays, gaps in service and passenger crowding. The bus bridge will continue to assist with crowds. Thank-you for your patience this morning. ^DA
— TransLink BC (@TransLink) March 27, 2019
For a couple of hours, trains only traveled as far as Marine Drive or Oakridge-41st stations, requiring passengers to disembark.
A bus bridge was set up between Oakridge 41st and Bridgeport stations and huge lines were seen on the ground as commuters waited to travel between Vancouver and Richmond.
#SkyTrain Canada Line Service Update No train service between Bridgeport Station & Marine Drive Station. There is a bus bridge being put in place. Train service is running between Bridgeport/Brighouse & Bridgeport/YVR & Marine Drive & Waterfront. ^DA
— TransLink BC (@TransLink) March 27, 2019
#SkyTrain Canada Line Update: Bus Bridge is in place between Oakridge-41 Ave Stn & Bridgeport Stn. Passengers will need to transfer to a bus at Marine, Langara, & Oakridge Stations. Train service is running between Bridgeport/Brighouse & Bridgeport/YVR & Oakridge & Waterfront.^DA
— TransLink BC (@TransLink) March 27, 2019
Even travellers on parts of the Canada Line route that were running experienced significant delays, leading TransLink to encourage the use of buses.
If possible, use the bus as we do not have an ETA on when the Canada Line will be returning to full service. There should be trains between Aberdeen & Bridgeport & a bus bridge between Bridgeport & Oakridge-41 Ave Stn. ^DA
— TransLink BC (@TransLink) March 27, 2019
Some commuters took to social media to share their morning transit experience, expressing frustrations and even calling for ridesharing.
Wait tell me again there’s no need for @Uber @lyft in Vancouver? #CanadaLine not running between Bridgeport & Marine Dr and now I’ve waited 20+ mins for a cab. It’s not supposed to be that hard. pic.twitter.com/GNvBeBana7
— dp (@hurricanediana) March 27, 2019
when your bro sends you photos of the gongshow that's happening at #BridgeportStation in #RichmondBC... such a joke @TransLink #Canadaline pic.twitter.com/EE1N5qWDT7
— lyss ♥ (@allyssaf7) March 27, 2019
#bctransit #canadaline #oakridgemall nightmare trip on Canada Line this morning... pic.twitter.com/qfsqkHSLll
— Ronald Swizzler (@stuffapproved) March 27, 2019
Canada Line problems on hump day. Cmon as if Wednesdays aren’t long enough already. #translink #canadaline
— Vancity Bus Folk (@vancitybusfolk) March 27, 2019
1 hr 20 min to reach my 35 min destination. This will go down as the day @TransLink became #TTC. Folks taking Canada line, just walk or bus it!
— Alivia Dey, PhD (@alivia_dey) March 27, 2019
Throughout the morning, TransLink assured travellers that crews were working to resolve the train's technical problem and encouraged passengers to to consult the Trip Planner (http://tripplanning.translink.ca) online or contact the customer information desk (604-953-3333) for trip planning advice.
