Winter Travel Guide

Let’s keep safety simple — plan ahead and take care this winter.

229 Lonsdale Quay driving on Lonsdale Avenue on a snowy day.'

Winter weather can cause service impacts across the transit system. For up to date listing of issues affecting bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express, and HandyDART, please view our active Transit Alerts.

View transit alerts

Stay informed about any delays or issues on your winter travels. Sign up to receive enhanced personalized alerts for your favourite routes, stations, and more.

Winter Travel and Safety Tips

An illustration of a TransLink CMBC bus parked at a bus stop during snowfall, capturing a winter scene.

1. Go slow and step carefully, the floors may be slippery.

2. Hang on while the bus or train is in motion.

3. Walk, don’t rush for your train or bus.

4. Wear shoes with good grip that are good for ice and snow.

5. Dress warmly as you may be outside for longer than normal.

6. Wear clothing that is visible with reflective accessories.

7. Avoid touching your face and sanitize often.

8. Be courteous and give your fellow passengers space.

9. Watch for your bus. Drivers may not be able to pull into a bus stop, and instead will stop in an area that is safe and accessible nearby.

10. Allow for extra commuting time. Transit may be busier than usual, and there may be longer waits for certain services.

Various hands holding safety handles inside a moving transit vehicle

See what measures we're taking to keep customers safe and secure on transit.

Learn more

Learn more about how we prepare our system for winter weather events.

Read stories about how TransLink prepares and how you can too.

Two buses downtown during rainy weather with a grey umbrella in the foreground

By being proactive, we can maintain a safe and pleasant commute for everyone. Here are some tips and resources to help you prepare for the rainy months.

A common question we get asked during the snowy season is why doesn’t TransLink use tires designed for winter? Simply put – we do.

Pedestrians crossing Robson Street at Granville Street during snowy weather with two buses in frame

Shuttle buses are an important tool in our toolbox during snow days when challenging conditions affect our ability to maintain and deliver reliable service.

SkyTrain employee holds a plastic hockey stick in front of a SkyTrain

Learn why our SkyTrain attendants prefer to use use hockey sticks to clear snow and ice build-up from the SkyTrain doors.

SkyTrain attendant monitors the tracks at the helm of a SkyTrain during snowy weather

We have a wide-ranging snow plan that covers every aspect of our operations and staff work around the clock to ensure transit service stays as reliable as possible. One of the tools in our toolbox is staffing every train across the SkyTrain network.

Bus travelling down Hastings street in rainy winter weather while pedestrians pass by

Planning on riding transit this winter? Be prepared using this helpful guide.

Winter Travel Guide

On this page

See if Your Commute is Impacted

Sign Up For Transit Alerts

Winter Travel and Safety Tips

Safety & Security on Transit

Winter Readiness

Winter Safety on The Buzzer

10 tips to stay safe when riding transit this winter

TransLink bus tires, explained

Shuttle buses during snow days, explained

A Canadian solution to keep SkyTrain customers moving

This is why you see SkyTrain Attendants onboard during snow

The essential guide to riding TransLink during the winter months