Transit buses, drivers struggle as snowfall hits Metro Vancouver

NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS 1130) – The heavy snowfall across the region has created a lot of havoc on the roads as drivers try to steer straight to get where they need to go and as bus drivers try to climb hills that, in some, cases appear to be too difficult to navigate.

Anne Drennan with TransLink says as far as buses go, the system is “challenged” everywhere. “There is heavy snow in so many areas that are making a lot of the streets impassable. The cities and municipalities are having difficulty keeping up with it. They will clear a priority route but within 10 to 15 minutes, it’s completely covered again and impassable.”

@NEWS1130 First shovel pass done, Como Lake and Poirier, Coquitlam pic.twitter.com/SXmvEnpkNz

— Stacy Holt (@Stacy_CampHolt) December 26, 2016

She explains there are certain areas that are having a tougher time, than others and the transit authority is asking people to pack their patience. “We’re talking in particular, the south side of New Westminster, the north side of North Vancouver, there is very heavy snow all over Surrey and along the 41st Street corridor in Vancouver and the UBC area.”

Drennan adds people need to expect delays. “When priority routes are cleared, we will put buses through for as long as we can, but if there’s a safety issue and our passengers are at risk, we won’t put the buses through on those routes until they’ve been cleared and deemed safe again.”

There are no reported problems on the SkyTrain.

@NEWS1130 wooooo big flakes in #SurreyBC ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/Z1Xfhv2mF5

— Bieta Karimi (@heybeats_88) December 26, 2016

Vancouver International Airport isn’t reporting any major weather-related delays,but you’re being told to check your flight status before heading to the airport.

@NEWS1130 so much snow in #burnaby pic.twitter.com/jUgpGZys52

— Jacqueline (@jakern41) December 26, 2016

The snow began falling this morning over inland parts of Vancouver Island before moving to the Lower Mainland. It’s shifting to the Fraser Valley as the next Pacific storm hits the region.

Environment Canada says across the Lower Mainland, snowfall amounts will be limited to two to four centimetres near the water before it changes to rain, but higher elevations could see up to 20 centimetres as the snow persists throughout the night.

In the Fraser Valley, roughly 10 to 15 centimetres will fall before changing to rain tonight, according to the agency.

@NEWS1130 Snow coming down in North Van. pic.twitter.com/9pz0HZmqOt

— Denise Dehestani (@neesydee) December 26, 2016

The other area that will get hit hard is the Sea to Sky region. Environment Canada says snowfall amounts of up to 25 centimetres are expected near Squamish by tomorrow morning.

❄️ like crazy in Coquitlam @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/yGrY8fBwQM

— Larissa (@librarylarissa) December 26, 2016

Many jurisdictions had crews out early to begin clearing, salting and sanding the roads, however, the side streets are not a priority.

As always the conditions mean highways, roads, sidewalks and parking lots may become tough to navigate and you’re being encouraged to slow down. NEWS 1130 will have you covered with updates in Traffic every 10 minutes on the ones.