Locals are sharing horror stories of their commutes from across the Lower Mainland after a winter storm brought snow and powerful wind to the region.
The snow started falling Tuesday (Nov. 29) morning and started to accumulate throughout the day. By the late afternoon, numerous people were reporting that their bus routes or drives were impacted by the snowfall.
TransLink had issued just shy of 200 bus alerts by 6 p.m. and warned commuters of crowding at bus stops. Early Wednesday morning, the transportation authority advised them to prepare again for long waits in the cold weather due to "considerable delays."
People who drove also shared an array of frustrating and, in some cases, terrifying commutes home. Some of them were snarled in lengthy traffic delays due to accidents resulting in the closure of the Alex Fraser Bridge and George Massey Tunnel along with several arterial roads.
Many locals have also expressed concern for the city's lack of preparedness, including the percentage of cars that have snow tires. According to a recent BCAA survey, under half of B.C. drivers (47 per cent) do not have winter tires and only 37 per cent have an emergency kit.
I'm in the minority, but I'm not shocked that Vancouver struggles with snow. Most cars don't have snow tires, people have less winter driving experience, and municipalities own fewer snow plows than other cities in Canada because it snows much less here... some years not at all!
— Greg Hoekstra (@greghoekstra) November 30, 2022
Frigid Vancouver weather creates treacherous commutes in Lower Mainland
In a nightmare account of his 12-hour trek home from his Vancouver workplace, a Surrey man says several semi-trailers and other large vehicles were blocking traffic lanes on highways after their wheels had spun out; he also counted about 15 fender benders.
Other locals shared accounts of being stuck in traffic for several hours as snow continued to fall across the Lower Mainland.
@baghdadcitygirl 7 hours in traffic 🤯 #yvr#surrey#richmond#vancouver#toronto#canada#snow#snowfall#travel ♬ original sound - weekndlations
@bready_krueger Help! #vancouver #vancouverbc #vancouversnow #snowday #firstsbowoftheseason #vancouver_surrey ♬ We Are The Champions - Remastered 2011 - Queen
Hundreds of students were stranded at campuses across the region, including at the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus.
@unaspasovski been waiting for an hour … every bus keeps canceling :) #vancouver #ubc #snow ♬ You're Fucked - Ylvis
Travellers headed to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have also been advised of lengthy delays and increased wait times at the screening and security areas. Air passengers have several ways to recoup their losses from flight delays and cancellations, however.
Several travellers took to social media to share accounts of long waits at the airport where they were waiting for very delayed flights.
@yvrairport The lineup for taxis at arrivals is extremely long. Lots of elderly folks waiting 45+ min in the cold.
— Dr. Arora (@kamarora) November 30, 2022
@yvrairport any comforts being provided for persons stuck at the airport due to snow ?
— Did You Meditate ? (@didyoumeditate) November 30, 2022
@yvrairport waiting for off boarding for 3+ hours what a mess
— Sujal K (@iamSujalkrishna) November 30, 2022
Environment Canada is warning commuters of plunging temperatures and poor travel conditions this week as melted snow freezes.
With files from Lindsay William-Ross.
