This week marks five years since the deadly heat dome left hundreds of people dead in B.C., many of whom passed away because they did not have access to cool air.
Fast forward to today, and TransLink says part of its SkyTrain and bus systems still don’t have air conditioning.
In an email statement to 1130 NewsRadio, the transit authority confirms it’s working on it.
“Currently, roughly 75 per cent of the SkyTrain fleet is air-conditioned. All SkyTrain cars will be air-conditioned in the coming years as we continue retiring Mark I trains.”
It adds roughly 60 per cent of its bus fleet has air conditioning.
“All our RapidBuses, Community Shuttles, HandyDART vehicles, and SeaBus vessels are air-conditioned. TransLink’s bus fleet is on pace to be fully air-conditioned by 2028, as we order more vehicles and work to make our system more resilient in hot weather.”
@TransLink is there any way to increase the AC on train car 342? It’s hellishly hot on board and I have a long ride to Sapperton ahead of me…
Right now, people are being encouraged to take transit given how busy the city is with FIFA World Cup Hosting duties, so the lack of cool air and jam-packed transit is challenging.
“Typically, in the summer, we prioritize every vehicle with air conditioning. During the FIFA World Cup — especially on match days — every available vehicle is needed to maintain higher frequencies and to keep customers moving,” TransLink said.
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The heat dome killed more than 600 people. The historic weather event was described as a strong ridge of high pressure, which trapped stagnant air like a tight lid over the province.
A report by the Coroner’s Service on the heat dome, issued in 2022, found almost every death happened indoors, and many involved seniors, who essentially died alone in the extreme heat. It also confirmed the highest number of heat-related deaths happened in Vancouver, with 117, followed by Surrey at 75 and Burnaby at 73.
Just days before the heat became unbearable, a weather warning was issued by Environment Canada, letting British Columbians know they were about to experience intense heat. Despite that, many say it appeared as though there were no preparations made by any public agency or the provincial government in advance of what was about to happen.