Despite decades of demand, TransLink has no plans to extend SkyTrain hours.
A team has been studying the feasibility of later service and determined it’s just not possible – again.
Instead, a report released Thursday by TransLink recommends a NightBus express service. It would potentially shadow the SkyTrain system, though where it would stop and how long it would take is still undecided.
The team consulted a number of groups, including bar and restaurant owners, students and taxi drivers, some of whom have been vocal critics of the limited SkyTrain hours.
But the report found longer hours aren't possible because of the maintenance and repair work that's conducted on SkyTrain lines overnight.
The most complex work is currently done on Fridays and Saturdays. The report argues in order to extend operation hours on the weekends, TransLink would have to move the most challenging maintenance from Sunday to Thursday, which would require decreasing operating hours on those nights.
The findings were presented to the Translink Mayors’ Council.
Vancouver mayor Kennedy Steward introduced a motion to fast-track the proposed late-night bus service, but other mayors were skeptical.
"Does it really make sense?" asked Richmond mayor Malcolm Brodie. "We have all this expensive infrastructure and we're not using it."
Instead the proposal will now undergo even more review.
What’s not clear is where the proposed busses would stop, or how frequent service would be.
