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West Coast Express commuter rail in Metro Vancouver returning Monday morning, for now

Monday morning train commuters will be happy
west-coast-express-waterfront-station-vancouver
The West Coast Express is TransLink's commuter rail line connecting several hubs east of the city with downtown Vancouver at Waterfront Station.

The West Coast Express (WCE) will be up and running for the coming work week, but the rail dispute that halted the commuter train has not ended.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, the Canada Labour Relations Board (CIRB) ruled the federal government would be allowed to end job action at Canada's two largest railway companies, CN Rail and CPKC (formerly known as CP Rail).

On Sunday, Aug. 25, Translink announced the West Coast Express (which travels on a railway run by CPKC) would return to service on Monday, Aug. 26 after in halted on Thursday, Aug. 22.

"West Coast Express will resume its normal schedule this week," reads a press release from the Metro Vancouver transit company.

However, it may not be a smooth return, as a backlog in freight train traffic may cause delays on the railway.

Additionally, the Teamsters union, which represents the 9,300 workers involved in the labour dispute, has stated it plans to appeal the ruling from the CIRB.

"The union will lawfully comply with the CIRB decision. The Teamsters will also appeal the ruling to federal court," states the union in an Aug. 24 press release.

The West Coast Express travels from Mission to downtown Vancouver, stopping in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody on the way.