West Coast Express is bringing back the much beloved Santa Train this weekend and next in hopes of collecting even more toys for families in need this holiday season through their Toys for Tots program.
The Santa Train offers passengers free transit into downtown Vancouver in exchange for an unwrapped gift, which will then go to a variety of local charities such as the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society, Tri-Cities Share Society, Mission Christmas Bureau, and Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.
The train will start at the Mission station and carry through to Waterfront, where Santa will be waiting to take pictures at 2:30 p.m.
Maple Ridge residents will be able to board the train at the Port Haney or Maple Meadows stations, while Pitt Meadows residents can hop on at the Pitt Meadows station.
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TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said their annual Santa Train and Reindeer Bus program are very loved by their customers.
“This is the season to give and make a difference to every child and family through the Toys for Tots program,” said Quinn. “We encourage everyone to participate and enjoy a ride on the Reindeer Bus or Santa Train.”
Here is the Santa Train schedule for both Dec. 9 and 16:
Mission – 10 a.m. (departure) and 5:15 p.m. (return)
Port Haney – 10:19 a.m. (departure) and 4:54 p.m. (return)
Maple Meadows – 10:25 a.m. (departure) and 4:48 p.m. (return)
Pitt Meadows – 10:29 a.m. (departure) and 4:44 p.m. (return)
Port Coquitlam – 10:39 a.m. (departure) and 4:34 p.m. (return)
Coquitlam Central – 10:45 a.m. (departure) and 4:29 p.m. (return)
Moody Centre – 10:50 a.m. (departure) and 4:24 p.m. (return)
Waterfront 11:15 a.m. (arrival) and 4 p.m. (departure)
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Each unwrapped new toy donation will earn a free ticket for the Santa Train, with more information available at www.translink.ca.