Downtown Skytrain service resumes after disruption due to electrical problem

Vancouver'sSkyTrainservice has returned to normal after delays that ran through the evening rush hourand well into the nighton Tuesday.

SkyTrainservice wasshut down between Broadway and Waterfront stations beginningaround3 p.m. PT due to an electrical problem. TransLinkSpokesperson AnneDrennan said preliminary findings indicated damage to power equipment on the train, although there was no understanding as to what may have sparked the issue.

Drennan said earlier on Tuesday thatSkyTrain passengers reported seeinga thick plume of smoke before the problems occurred.

"There's nothing to indicate there was an actual fire, but there was definitely smoke that was seen up on the track area, which may have come from a problem train or something to do with an electrical problem on the track," said Drennan.

Drennan said 69bus bridges were in place for passengers to get to and from affected areas during peak periods on Tuesday evening.

The Canada Line was not affected.

Only one train was trapped between stations with passengers onboard, Drennan said,but was soon moved back so theycould disembark.

She said the problem was unfortunate, but not entirely preventable due in part to aging infrastructure.

"This does happen on major transit systems.We can only apologize and say that our engineers and electricians are working on the issue," said Drennan Tuesday.

"We ask that people try to stay as patient as possible.We get that it's very frustrating,"

Several commuters took to social media to express their frustration atSkyTrain delays, and at the overcrowding it caused on buses andon the Canada Line.