Track maintenance in Surrey to impact Expo Line service
Track maintenance in Surrey to impact Expo Line service
Heads up SkyTrain riders travelling to, from, or within Surrey! We are completing track maintenance along the Expo Line near Scott Road Station during two five-day periods in October.
Work is scheduled to take place first from Friday, Oct. 7 to Tuesday, Oct. 11, then again from Friday, Oct. 21 to Tuesday, Oct. 25. During these periods, one of tracks will be out of commission, so the SkyTrain will operate using the other track to travel between New Westminster and Scott Road stations.
Read on to find out how your commute may be affected.
Travelling to, from, and within Surrey
Crews will be working on one side of the guideway at a time, around the clock, for five consecutive days. We’ve scheduled most of the work over weekends and a statutory holiday to minimize impacts to commuters as best possible.
Allow 20 minutes of extra travel time and expect trains to wait at or outside of stations longer than normal around Columbia, Scott Road, and Gateway stations. This allows trains to clear the single-track area and to better distribute customers between trains. We’ve added extra trains between Columbia and Scott Road stations to help with congestion.
Platform information displays will show the countdown to departure. As well, extra SkyTrain staff will be available to assist you at affected stations in Surrey and New Westminster as needed.
Travelling elsewhere on the Expo Line
Allow a few extra minutes travel time for all other Expo Line trips.
Service between Columbia and Production Way–University will run at close to normal frequencies, but the exact times will change. During peak hours, additional trains will operate between Edmonds and Waterfront to provide normal peak service frequency.
Check electronic signs at station entrances and on platforms for current train information. Additional SkyTrain staff will be on hand to assist in directing customers as needed.
All these delays and bus diversions add to the travel, sometimes making it impossible to keep the 90 minutes travel time. Indeed many times the 312 bus has been cancelled at the Scottsdale Exchange departure, making me miss the 90 minutes limit. Especially annoying when I see so many many people get on the bus without paying. So I say a 120 minute limit is more realistic and fair.
A monthly pass would avert this issue as the travel is unlimited for all journeys all month long.
Also, if using the skytrain (you have 90 minutes from the first tap at the faregate before you tap out to complete your skytrain journey)
If you’re close to expiry time on the journey and you board a bus, you can ask the driver to extend your trip!
The maintenance is necessary as it is preventative maintenance
Also it’s only affecting two 5 day periods in the month of October
So, in conclusion Manuel, there are lots of solutions and suggestions that cover your concerns
Have a great day!