Photos: SkyTrain technical issues leave riders stranded on the tracks

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      TransLink's Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines are down due to a "technical issue".

      Commuters have been left stranded on the tracks, forced to walk to the closest station available.

      The Canada Line is functioning normally and operating extra trains. As the city approaches rush hour, TransLink is recommending that riders utilize the bus system as much as possible.

      Here's a collection of photographs posted to social media by users forced to walk from the powerless trains or struggling with long wait times.

      Comments

      8 Comments

      Karen A

      Jul 21, 2014 at 3:01pm

      This cost me a shift at work, will I get a refund?

      @Karen A

      Jul 21, 2014 at 4:08pm

      You realize things like this happen? Any reason you can't bus or carpool? They don't owe you anything..

      Oswaldo

      Jul 21, 2014 at 6:02pm

      We need an elected board and not these overpriced incompetents.

      relic57

      Jul 21, 2014 at 6:19pm

      New Headline:

      "Transit Police run ragged writing fare-cheating tickets to trapped passengers with expired fares."

      "There's just not enough police to capitalize on--er, stem this tide of blatant lawlessness!" bleated one anonymous high-ranking brass from one of the many Translink Corp. offices. When asked about Translink accountability for the extraordinary disruption and chaos caused to their helpless passengers, and possible compensation, there was a long pause. Then:

      "Just wait for Compass!" There was a peal of laughter, and the connection was broken.

      PRoblems

      Jul 22, 2014 at 11:01am

      An RFP was issued a few short years ago on BC Bid's website for a new software program for SkyTrain. It was to meld with the existing program. I have seen many problems before & since then with the trains. At KG station, the train I was on switched tracks before stopping. A voice came on the intercom and said 'they didn't know why this had happened'. Saw another hard stop at Columbia station while waiting for the train. Some poor guy went flying inside the car & smashed his head open (three different explanations over the station intercom). We weren't allowed to board after the delay (didn't really want to after what I saw), once the train was started up again, they just took the guy to KG station and then to the hospital (I assume). I have seen a lot of glitchy stuff to the point I won't ride in the first or last cars if I can help it, just waiting for a collision. I think one of the main points here is that if SkyTrain fails, then what is an acceptable length of time for people to expect to be stuck in a car? 15 minutes? 30 minutes? an hour??!! What if you need to use the restroomn, what if you are claustrophobic? what if you have small children that can't deal with the delays? No wonder people are breaking out and walking along the tracks. Another point I have witnessed is the lack of communication. And wtf is a 'bus bridge'?! Just whitewashing language. Are these breakdowns a test of the system by hackers? Great time of year for problems, I assume a large number of employees/management are away on holidays. Sure seems like the entire system is patched together with baling wire and duct tape. If everyone who was put out by these SkyTrain failures billed Translink for their time, loss of wages, refund on their passes or another pass to make up for it etc., etc., it would be a great way to show their executives what it's like for ordinary Joe & Jane Shmoe. Perhaps a class action lawsuit is in order to make them wake up. Too bad the execs aren't forced to take transit themselves. Then they'd perhaps have an inkling of what the rest of us peons are going through. BTW, any emergency broadcast system needs to be separate from the rest of the operation to be effective, can't believe they are unable to speak to the riders during a complete shutdown & have to resort to social media. How incredibly weak is that?! Pathetic!

      PRoblems

      Jul 22, 2014 at 12:31pm

      It would be interesting to see what the stats are for rider's injuries due to problems & failures with the system same as or similar to what I've described. Would that information be readily available or have to obtained by FOI means? Also, how many incidents are a result of software failure, virus infection or hackers?

      PRoblems

      Jul 22, 2014 at 12:43pm

      As reported http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Human+error+cause+Monday+SkyTrain...

      Blame being laid on jr. electrician for system failure, also apparently considering a free day of transit for riders on BC Day - I guess they don't want to lose the revenue on a working week day during peak hours regardless of how much riders lost. Translink JUST DOESN'T GET IT.

      prophetic

      Jul 22, 2014 at 9:51pm

      I expect that's what it will look like after the zombie apocalypse.