Vancouver British Columbia - This evening, the first West Coast Express train leaving Vancouver for Mission was more than 15 minutes late due to a freight train blocking their route.
 
This morning, the first West Coast Express train leaving Mission for Vancouver was more than 20 minutes late due to debris on the tracks cutting an air hose.
 
And yesterday, the first West Coast Express train leaving Vancouver for Mission was more than 35 minutes late due to another freight train blocking their route.
 
It's a repetitive problem, and one that is becoming increasingly familiar to commuters this year.
 
In the past six months, the West Coast Express has experienced over 100 delays.
 
While lambasting TransLink for delays is a popular Vancouver pastime, the organization says the issues lie with Canadian Pacific Rail, which owns the line.
 
"The vast majority of those delays are related to the issues we've had with grain trains being on the track and various other things happening with respect to CP's use of that track," says Colleen Brennan, TransLink Communications VP.
 
Prior to this year, service on the West Coast Express had around a 98 percent efficiency rating, a number that won't be matched in 2015.
 
"These kinds of delays, it's definitely going to impact our reliability record for 2015. We stand on a very strong record of safe, reliable, service," says Brennan.
 
It was just three months ago that TransLink issued letters of apology for West Coast Express commuters.
 
CP also apologized, suggesting the delays were a result of maintenance work that would likely end in April.
 
Even though it's now May, TransLink's hands are relatively tied due to the terms of their 20-year agreement with CP.
 
Obtained by Global News, the agreement makes clear that while TransLink may use the line, priority is for freight.
 
"Commuter Rail Service must be operated in a manner that does not disrupt CP'S freight service," it reads.
 
In addition, TransLink pays over $5 million annually to CP in operation and shared infrastructure charges, but if they want to expand service, it would require "further agreements between the parties."
 
The 20-year contract between the two parties expires on 1 Nov 2015.

Justin McElroy.