Starting next week, TransLink will build on its Safe Operating Action Plan and expand the availability of hand sanitizer dispensers across Metro Vancouver’s transit system. Dispensers will be installed on the entire RapidBus fleet, at key exchanges, and at more SkyTrain stations.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been focused on our cleaning and sanitizing protocols,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond. “These dispensers will help promote strong personal hygiene practices, which is especially important as our ridership continues to grow. We need to look out for one another and do our part to ensure we are keeping ourselves and our fellow passengers as safe as possible.”

Customers must also continue to enhance their own personal safety and that of fellow passengers by staying off the system if they are sick and wearing a non-medical mask or face covering if they are able to do so. Customers should also travel outside of peak times when possible and allow more time for their commute.

Hand sanitizer dispensers will be installed:

• On the entire RapidBus fleet of approximately 110 buses;
• At several key bus exchanges including Phibbs Exchange, Scottsdale Exchange, Haney Place Exchange;
• At both SeaBus terminals;
• On the Expo and Millennium Lines at Waterfront Station, Granville Station, Commercial-Broadway Station, Columbia Station, Surrey Central Station, Brentwood Town Centre Station, Lougheed Town Centre Station, Coquitlam Central Station;
• On the Canada Line at Marine Drive Station, Bridgeport Station, Richmond-Brighouse Station.

TransLink’s initiatives, many of which have been implemented since the beginning of the pandemic, are a part of the Safe Operating Action Plan. These new and enhanced initiatives include deploying cleaning pit crews to disinfect SkyTrain cars at high traffic stations, increasing bus and SeaBus disinfecting sprays to twice per week, and maintaining daily cleaning schedules across all modes. Fare gate access remains limited at busy stations to help manage the number of customers on SkyTrain and capacity on buses is limited to approximately two thirds full.