Photo by Dan Toulgoet
UPDATE 2:24 pm: Expo Line delay due to debris on the guideway has cleared. Service between Braid and Columbia Station has also cleared. Some delays are expected as the system resumes regular service**
UPDATE 1:30 pm: Due to heavy winds all across the region the Expo Line is experiencing delays in both directions. There is a track issue in the 29th Avenue station area as debris from trees has come in contact with the guideway.**
A tree and other debris have fallen on the SkyTrain tracks between Sapperton and Braid stations due to powerful winds.
Vancouver Is Awesome spoke to Aliya Mohammed, Media Relations, TransLink, who explained that the transit authority shut down the station due to the incident and that commuters must transfer by bus, instead.
"The station has been shut down for a couple of hours already and crew are trying to clear the debris as quickly as possible," she said.
"We hope to get it up and running as soon as we can, but we have to ensure that it is safe. Riders may still transfer to the next train, but they will have to factor in the added time it takes to take the bus."
There is also an issue between Columbia and Sapperton, and therefore customers must use the shuttle train.
In addition, the Millennium Line is experiencing delays; however, the Canada Line remains unaffected.
#SkyTrain Update: Expo Line shuttle train in effect between Lougheed and Braid and between Columbia and Sapperton due to track issue. Bus bridge is still in effect. Millennium Line experiencing delays. Canada Line not affected. ^MR
— TransLink BC (@TransLink) December 20, 2018
Y'ALL THIS TRAIN CAME INTO THE STATION SMOKING AND THE GLASS AND POLES BROKE AND SOMEONE WAS BLEEDING I'M SO SHOOK @TransLink pic.twitter.com/oR8ej0gZ4T
— ᜆ᜔ᜐᜒᜐ (@lalloalo) December 20, 2018
#SkyTrain Expo Line is experiencing westbound/eastbound delays due to track issue at Nanaimo Station, 29th Ave Station, Edmonds Station. Updates to follow.^kv
— TransLink BC (@TransLink) December 20, 2018
Extremely strong winds have also caused power outages across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Environment Canada issued a wind warning for all of Metro Vancouver’s municipalities early Thursday morning, cautioning that “very strong wind gusts that may cause damage are expected or occurring.”
