4 tips for taking transit during a heatwave
4 tips for taking transit during a heatwave
Summer in Metro Vancouver means hot, humid temperatures on the horizon. While our region boasts some of the greatest places to beat the heat, it’s important you stay cool while you get there.
Before you head out out the door, here are four tips for taking transit during a heatwave.
1. Plan ahead
Know before you go! The best way to be prepared is to plan ahead. Follow @TransLink on Twitter for up-to-date transit information, check the Transit Alerts page, and plan your trip using our Trip Planner tool before you go. As with your regular commute, plan to arrive at your starting point a little early to ensure you aren’t running to catch transit. This will also give you time to recuperate between transfers. Where possible, look to adjust your travel times so you’re not travelling during the hottest times of the day.
2. Dress smart
White or light coloured, breathable clothing is always a good idea when taking transit during a heatwave. As with winter travel, choose clothing that is easy to layer off and on as temperatures can change when you’re boarding and alighting different modes. Lastly, don’t forget the sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses — being on transit doesn’t protect you from harmful UV rays!
3. Stay hydrated
When taking transit during a heatwave, make sure to grab a bottle of water or other hydrating drink before you head out the door. Easy access to a refreshing beverage can go a long way in curbing overheating. Staying hydrated will help better regulate your body temperature and keep you hydrated throughout a hot day.
4. Keep cool
When commuting by bike, look for narrow roads or bike paths with big trees and greenery. Finding shade can help make your commute cooler and more enjoyable. Consider waiting for the next SkyTrain. Mark II and Mark III cars are fully air-conditioned, so if it’s possible to wait for the next train, do it. Look for a shady spot, or use a covered bus shelter while waiting for your bus, and consider finding a route with a newer, air-conditioned vehicle like one of our RapidBuses.
And perhaps one of the best tips for taking transit during a heatwave is by going somewhere cool! Transit takes you to the beach, the spray-park, and everywhere in between!
What are your tried, tested and true tips for taking transit during a heat wave?
Air conditioned vehicle saved my day!
What about the poor drivers many buses are not air conditioned the ones in North Vancouver apart from the R2 are not. This is very hot for both customers and especially drivers. How do the drivers cool down on a hot day like today?
I took the skytrain from Metrotown to Newwest station on Monday june 28th and the train was not airconditioned and it was in the middle of the heatwave. Perhaps if translink wants to incentivise more people to use transit, it would be a good idea to offer a slightly more comfortable service, especially in the middle of a heatwave, and considering translink is raising fares again.
The train ride was very uncomfortable and i vowed to limit my trips on skytrain for now.
One of my tried and true tips I recommend is for anyone taking the skytrain or the buses (especially the new ones with the A/C) I recommend people to NOT OPEN THE WINDOWS IF THEY SAY OPEN IN EMERGENCY ONLY! It works so much better when you read those signs and do what it says… as if you don’t then the A/C won’t be working and may be turned off by the drivers and then you’re the ones to blame. I also recommend a bottle of water to keep hydrated and cool.
I would suggest that the Drivers of buses and trolleys without AC are responsible for making sure that all the windows on the vehicle are open before starting out on their route.
It can be very difficult to access windows on a crowded bus and sometimes they are stuck and difficult to open and many are too short or too embarrassed to try.
This is important all the time – not only when it’s very hot – as good ventilation is essential as COVID has not gone away.