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Breaking: Pipeline protests stop West Coast Express

No eastbound runs Thursday afternoon: TransLink
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Pipeline protesters have set up on eastbound tracks, just east of Pitt River, above Mary Hill Bypass. Colleen Flanagan – THE NEWS

Maple Ridge, Mission and Pitt Meadows commuters are scrambling to find a way home Thursday afternoon, after protests near Canadian Pacific’s Pitt River rail bridge, shut down rail traffic.

“We have been advised by Canadian Pacific Railway Police that we will not be able to run any more West Coast Express service today,” TransLink spokesperson Jill Drews said. All eastbound West Coast Express trains from Waterfront to Mission, have been cancelled for Thursday afternoon.

Protesters have set up on the eastbound tracks, just west of the Pitt River rail bridge.

Instead, TransLink is asking commuters to use SkyTrain and bus service instead. Additional buses could be added to get commuters home, with details to follow.

TransLink is recommending customers who normally use West Coast Express east of Coquitlam, to take SkyTrain to Coquitlam Central Station. From there, they can take the 701 bus or the new R3 RapidBus to Pitt Meadows or Maple Ridge.

There’s also a 701 bus that runs from Haney Place to Mission but it doesn’t run frequently.

“We thank our passengers for their patience and regret this inconvenience,” Drews said.

TransLink will also announce later if Friday morning’s westbound trains to Vancouver will be affected.



pmelnychuk@mapleridgenews.com

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