Could it be that Vancouverites may be able to hop a SkyTrain in the wee hours on the weekends soon? Maybe!
TransLink announced Thursday they would begin looking into the feasibility of offering extended SkyTrain service on Friday and Saturday nights.
Kenny Louie/Flickr
At issue, according to TransLink, has always been the need to use the overnight hours to conduct routine maintenance on the Expo and Millennium Lines.
"While it has always been technically possible to operate SkyTrain later at night, it would have a significant impact on maintenance. We are committed to operating a system that is safe and reliable," said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond in a statement. "We want to find out if we can keep that commitment while offering another option for customers who travel late at night.”
TransLink says they will launch a study that will take into consideration what other systems around the globe have done to manage adding later service. Additionally, they will further examine the safety and cost considerations of balancing added service hours with needed maintenance.
Lastly, TransLink says the plan is to bring together a panel of community leaders to go over all concerns and options, including if there are any other modes of transport, like bus or taxi, that can better serve Vancouver late at night.
"I appreciate TransLink’s willingness to look at how SkyTrain service can run later on busy weekend nights," said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson in a statement.
"It’s often difficult for people visiting or working in downtown Vancouver late at night to find a safe, affordable option to get home. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of this review so we can make informed decisions on how TransLink can improve late night transit service," adds Robertson.
TransLink anticipates early findings will be ready for review mid-2018.
