Photo: VIA

West Coast Express train near Waterfront station

TransLink announced Monday afternoon that all West Coast Express service between downtown Vancouver and Mission is cancelled for the remainder of the day due to protesters blocking tracks in the Port Haney area.

"We have been advised by police that we will not be able to run West Coast Express service today," states TransLink in an email to media.

That means all trains headed eastbound from Waterfront to Mission will not run for the rest of Monday. 

TransLink is urging passengers to use SkyTrain and the bus system instead. They are establishing a bus bridge to link Coquitlam Central Station with Mission. 

"We thank our passengers for their patience and regret this inconvenience," adds TransLink.

Monday's rail blockade in Port Haney is one of several that have been taking place over recent weeks as supporters of the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs join in protest of a pipeline planned for traditional lands in northern B.C.

Concurrently during Monday's commute, numerous protestors have blocked traffic in Vancouver at the intersection of Clark and East Hastings near the vehicle access road to the Port of Vancouver. 

TransLink is asking customers to check their Twitter feed for any further updates regarding Monday's transit disruptions due to protests in the Metro Vancouver region.