It’s going to be a lot tougher to catch a bus in Delta thanks to COVID-19.
TransLink this week announced it is reducing bus service across Metro Vancouver, along with SeaBus and West Coast Express, as ridership drops sharply amid the pandemic.
According to TransLink, service will be reduced with a focus on routes with the lowest numbers but priority will be given to routes that continue to see fuller buses at peak times.
“As a result of the sudden and significant drop in ridership, the temporary suspension of fare collection on buses to allow for rear-door boarding, and a 60 per cent drop in fuel tax revenue due to fewer people driving, TransLink revenues have dropped dramatically. At the same time, TransLink is committed to continuing to provide essential service for people working in health care and other vital sectors,” the transit authority notes.
“The current service levels may not be fiscally sustainable and further reductions may become necessary in the near future…these service reductions will mean longer wait times for some customers. We are asking customers to only travel on transit if necessary, so space is available for essential service workers. Ridership levels will be closely monitored in order to balance physical distancing guidelines with the need to reduce service.”
TransLink notes bus reductions vary day-to-day based on operational considerations, and the 601, 602, 603, 604, and 620 are the Delta routes most likely to see reductions.
Cancellations on those routes are most likely to happen between 6:30 and 10 a.m.
TransLink recommends customers plan extra travel time into their commutes, and check TransLink’s Twitter or transit alerts pages for the most up-to-date information.
Also refer to TransLink’s trip planner for detailed information on the affected routes - https://new.translink.ca/trip-planner
Meanwhile, TransLink’s planned fare increase set to come into effect on July 1 has been deferred.
