More snow tires and hockey sticks: TransLink reveals winter plan

With winter around the corner, TransLink is preparing for snowy weather by rolling out its winter preparedness plan.

With colder weather well on the way to Metro Vancouver, TransLink revealed has its plan to keep people moving through the winter.

The transit operator says 1,100 buses, or about 70 per cent of the total fleet, will have Michelin Grip D tires, which have deeper tread patterns and perform better in snowy and rainy weather.

Last year, only about 600 buses used the new snow tires, but TransLink notes all the tires used on all its buses are winter-rated.

In addition, TransLink will switch some articulated buses out for 40-foot buses on certain hilly routes and operate snow shuttles in steep spots during heavy snow.

As usual, staff will shovel and salt walkways at bus exchanges, put anti-ice solution on trolley wires, install brass cutters on some trolleys to prevent ice buildup, and co-ordinate with municipalities on snow clearing.

On the SkyTrain, staff will be armed with hockey sticks to clear ice and snow on train doors, a “fan favourite” and “distinctly Canadian solution,” said director of operations Will Steep.

He said the maintenance team came up with the idea to use hockey sticks to chip off ice and snow because the blade’s curvature is perfect for the job.

In events of extreme weather there will be attendants at the front of trains to manually brake if needed. During the winter, de-icing trains run along the tracks during the day to keep them free from ice buildup and empty SkyTrains run overnight to prevent snow buildup.

TransLink will also beef up its communications staff over the season to broadcast delays and issues that arise due to the weather.

As temperatures drop, commuters are reminded to account for extra travel time, sign up for alerts and dress for longer waits outside.