The Stanley Park Christmas Train is officially halting operations for the remainder of the holiday season.
The Vancouver Park Board made the announcement one week after being forced to suddenly close due to a worker safety incident.
A Park Board representative told Daily Hive this week that exhaust from one of the train’s locomotives caused a driver to experience dizziness and nausea and require medical attention.
Univaded Fox/Flickr
“We are very sorry to be delivering such disappointing news to the thousands of customers who were hoping to ride the Bright Nights Train throughout the holidays,” said Steve Jackson, general manager of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, in a release.
“We know what a beloved tradition and highlight the train is for so many families, however, the remaining dates left in the Bright Night calendar don’t leave us with enough time to make the necessary safety changes and regulatory sign-off to guarantee the safety of our staff.”
Bright Nights at Stanley Park/Submitted
Over 17,000 Christmas Train tickets for the 27th annual Bright Nights have already been refunded up to and including December 22. Thousands more ticketholders for dates up to January 4, the original final day, will be contacted about receiving automatic refunds.
All customers will also receive a promo code for discounted tickets to the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
VanDusen Festival of Lights
Bright Nights seasonal displays on the train plaza remain open to the public and can be enjoyed by donation.
The event, along with the corresponding 50/50, is the single largest fundraiser each year for the Burn Fund, which provides life-saving, life-supporting, and life-enriching services to people in BC.