TransLink touts new bus tires ahead of winter storm season

TransLink is touting new tires on its buses as a potential solution to tackling messy roads across Metro Vancouver this winter.

In an announcement Friday, it said one-third of its fleet — approximately 500 buses — will feature a new winter-rated tire with a more aggressive tread.

The transit company says currently, the fleet’s tires are “replaced proactively to keep the tread in good condition,” and carry the highest winter rating available for bus tires.

While these new tires carry this same rating, TransLink says they’re new to the market, and testing them will help determine whether they’re worth installing on the entire fleet moving forward.

“We think that the more aggressive tread will perform better in the snowy conditions,” said Coast Mountain Bus Company President and General Manager Michael McDaniel.

McDaniel says the company has already tested these tires in a pilot on Mount Seymour, where they performed well.

In addition to testing new tires, the company says it will be coordinating snow-clearing with municipalities, spreading anti-icing solution on trolley wires, using brass cutters to cut through ice on trolley wires, installing tire socks on buses, salting and sanding surfaces at bus exchanges and replacing some buses with more agile models.

SkyTrain winter prep

Aside from buses, TransLink says it will also be taking actions to ensure its SkyTrain service remains smooth over the winter months.

The company says it will use tactics like introducing a de-icing train to prevent build-up on its power rail, running trains overnight to prevent snow build-up, and salting SkyTrain entrances.

“Our SkyTrain system is exposed to the elements, which presents challenges to keep service moving during inclement weather,” said British Columbia Rapid Transit Company President and General Manager Sany Zein. “The commitment by our whole team to keep customers moving and informed is exemplary, and we are prepared to do everything we can to maintain safe service this winter.”

TransLink says customers should prepare to build in extra time to their commute, sign up for transit alerts, and follow TransLink on Twitter during winter weather events in the coming months.

-With files from Michael Williams