Why does SkyTrain start running so damn late on the weekends?
On Sunday, I left home after 7 a.m. and got onto a Millennium Line train. Then I sat there for 20 minutes wondering why the SkyTrain wasn't moving even though more and more people were boarding. I was supposed to be somewhere at 7:30 a.m.
Obviously, I don't usually take the SkyTrain that early on Sunday mornings. Because if I did, I would know that the first train doesn't leave VCC-Clark Station until 7:34 a.m. on Sundays and holidays. At Waterfront Station, the first train departs at 7:54 a.m.
On weekdays, the first Millennium Line trains leave VCC-Clark at 5:34 a.m. and Waterfront at 5:54 a.m. These times are 6:34 a.m. and 6:54 a.m., respectively, on Saturdays. The Expo Line has a similar first-train schedule.
But check out the Canada Line. The first train leaves Waterfront for YVR-Airport Station at 4:48 a.m. If you want to go to Richmond-Brighouse, it's 5:30 a.m. That's seven days a week.
Why the difference? Don't Millennium Line riders deserve the opportunity to get rolling earlier? After all, east-west commuters have weekend jobs that start and end early in the morning too.
If TransLink wants people to think of the transit system as dependable—a challenge with the recent shutdowns and the ongoing Compass card fiasco—it could start by broadening SkyTrain hours.
Comments
38 Comments
Tporter
Sep 22, 2014 at 4:17pm
And later on weekends for that matter. I've never understood why the trains close before the bars. I imagine it increases the number of drunk drivers who can't take transit home. TO has subways run all night, what are we different?
Jay
Sep 22, 2014 at 5:00pm
I agree with later transit, but check your facts, Most TTC subways stop running at 1:20am or so.
Cranky Mom
Sep 22, 2014 at 5:30pm
Definitely earlier. Lots of people work on the weekends.
Martin Dunphy
Sep 22, 2014 at 5:52pm
The poll choices should include "Hell, yeah!"
Tdog
Sep 22, 2014 at 5:55pm
should run 24/7
Nicole Sims
Sep 22, 2014 at 6:29pm
A decent rapid transit system should run 24 hours a day.
Raw deal
Sep 22, 2014 at 8:08pm
On the Labour Day weekend; I had to work Sunday and monday with a start time of 7:30 am.Due to Translink Sunday Holiday Hours; half my day's wages on both days was spent on Taxi fare to get to work....am I ever mad about That.
Screwed by the governemnt on Labour Day; what an irony.
cathy
Sep 22, 2014 at 8:53pm
Here in Ladner our community buses don't run on Sat. and Sunday until 9 a.m.
This is too late for many workshops, meetings etc.
So if i want to go to something earlier in the morning, I either:
don't go, ride my bike to the Ladner Exchange and if it's really pouring, take a taxi to the exchange-fare around $9.
Raveen Bains
Sep 22, 2014 at 10:08pm
If we have a subway that runs 24/7 it will cost more than the current system. But the government can find the money somewhere like in the politicians huge salaries, benefits and pensions which are funded by the taxpayers who deserve a better public transit so they can have a life outside of their insane work hours and actually arrive at work in time. I think that Translink should be brought out by another transportation company who can efficiently run the public transportation system with their own money.
Eric Doherty
Sep 22, 2014 at 11:24pm
Yes, SkyTrain should start earlier. And the night bus network should go all night, 7 days a week. But don't expect SkyTrain to run all night, maintenance has to happen sometime. (If you want 24/7 rapid transit, bus rapid transit is your best bet as is easiest to re-route around maintenance crews)