An independent investigation into service disruptions on Vancouver's SkyTrain transit system will cost owner TransLink about $1,200 a day.
Former GO Transit CEO Gary McNeil has been called in to evaluate SkyTrain's service after the transit system ground to a halt twice in just four days earlier this month. The resulting delays affected thousands of riders and left many frustrated commuters stranded on trains or stuck waiting at stations throughout the city.
McNeil will review TransLink's major service disruption response plan, along with its process for notifying SkyTrain riders of transit disruptions. His final report and recommendations are slated for release in late October.
TransLink has confirmed that McNeil will earn about $1,200 a day while he conducts his investigation.
"Given the significance of this issue, we need to bring some strong industry experience to bear," TransLink CEO Ian Jarvis told CTV News.
TransLink has already conducted its own internal review of the service disruptions that occurred on July 17 and 21. In the first instance, passengers were stranded for four hours after trains on two city lines stopped moving at noon. TransLink blamed the service interruption on a computer glitch.
SkyTrain service again ground to a halt on July 21, when a power outage snarled transit for hours. A SkyTrain technician accidentally triggered the shutdown while replacing a circuit breaker. The power outage also affected SkyTrain's PA system, leaving TransLink staff unable to communicate with angry and frustrated riders.
In some cases, SkyTrain employees had to escort stranded passengers off the trains and back to the station. Some riders even forced open their train doors and walked back on their own.
