The art of clearing snow without disrupting service
Updated on November 28, 2024
Snow impacts how we maintain our stations and terminals, and as a result, your commute. Over time, we’ve developed several snow clearing strategies to limit any potential train and bus delays. Read more about them.
Which areas are maintained?
To ensure the safety of all our riders, our facilities are cleared of snow, de-iced, and spread with abrasives like salt, sand, gravel, and ice melters as soon as snow accumulation reaches 5 cm, the yellow line on the platforms is no longer visible, or bus loops are covered in snow.
Snow removal operations cover all pedestrian and vehicle traffic areas.
Pedestrian traffic areas
- Access stairs
- Fire escapes
- Access ramps for persons with reduced mobility
- Sidewalks
- Train station platforms
- Bus terminal platforms
- Transit shelters
Vehicle traffic areas
- Traffic lanes
- Parking lots
- Bus loops
Which abrasives are used on which surfaces?
Salt, sand and gravel are regularly spread throughout our sites, with the exception of station platforms. As salt damages both the metal elements at the edge of the platform and the escalators, and sand and gravel can block doors from closing, we instead use magnesium chloride (MgCl2), which melts the snow when it falls.
Snow removal strategy for freezing rain
When both snow and freezing rain are forecast, the snow removers deliberately choose not to remove all the snow. This allows the freezing rain to stick to the snow and form a layer of ice that cracks beneath your feet.
Want to know more about the impacts of cold weather and precipitation on our service? Read the winter bus plan.
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