Winter is coming. Just as locals are preparing their lives for the seasonal shift, we’re taking proactive steps to help keep transit service moving throughout the region. Here’s how we’re gearing up for the often challenging winter conditions.

We’re equipping up to 600 buses with Michelin Grip D tires on key routes. These specialized tires feature a deeper tread pattern and are certified with the highest winter performance rating available for bus tires — the three-peak mountain snowflake. Extensive testing has demonstrated their effectiveness in both snowy and rainy conditions.

We’ve also added 16 new articulated buses to the fleet that have an added centre-drive axle. With both a centre- and rear-drive axle, these buses have improved traction, stability, and steering control. They will be strategically deployed on routes known for challenging winter conditions.

Bus service preparations and actions:

• Coordinating with municipalities for snow removal on priority routes.
• Deploying trolley wire de-icing trucks.
• Using brass cutters on trolley buses to prevent ice buildup on wires.
• Replacing some rear drive axle articulated buses with conventional 40-foot buses on certain hilly routes.
• Utilizing snow shuttles on portions of steeper routes with heavy snowfall.
• Salting and sanding bus exchanges.

SkyTrain service preparations and actions:

• Using de-icer trains to keep the power rail free from ice buildup.
• Running trains overnight to prevent snow buildup in the guideway.
• Connecting Millennium Line trains into four-car configurations.
• Deploying SkyTrain Attendants at the front of trains to limit emergency braking triggered by heavy snowfall.
• Preventing and clearing ice and snow buildup on SkyTrain doors with platform teams equipped with hockey sticks.
• Salting and sanding walkways at SkyTrain and West Coast Express stations.

Customer information

During days with inclement weather, know before you go and:

• Plan ahead with these 5 tips every transit rider should know this winter
• Build in extra travel time and plan commutes using Trip Planner
• Sign up for Transit Alerts
• Follow or message @TransLink on X, formerly Twitter
• Call Customer Service at 604.953.3333