Metrotown station
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Burnaby , Canada |
Area served | Metro Vancouver |
| Owner | TransLink |
Metrotown is an elevated SkyTrain station on the Expo Line within Metro Vancouver's rapid transit network, positioned along Central Boulevard directly across from the Metropolis at Metrotown shopping complex in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. It currently holds the position as the second most frequented station in the entire SkyTrain system.
History
The station commenced operations in 1985 as part of the inaugural SkyTrain Expo Line. In 1989, an overhead pedestrian bridge was constructed to connect the station with the Eaton Centre shopping mall, now known as Metropolis at Metrotown. Originally intended to serve nearby suburban neighborhoods and local transit users, the station’s patronage grew significantly alongside surrounding commercial expansions and urban redevelopment, surpassing its initial design capacity.
In 2007, TransLink outlined plans for a substantial upgrade aimed at increasing capacity and improving passenger circulation. The renovation project began in February 2015 with a budget allocation of $55.5 million, financed through a partnership among federal, provincial, and municipal authorities.
On November 15, 2016, TransLink closed and partially dismantled the pedestrian overpass to facilitate reconstruction of the east stationhouse, resulting in commuter disruptions and public criticism. The City of Burnaby incorporated funding for a new pedestrian bridge into its 2019–2023 Capital Plan, earmarking $17.25 million over four years; however, no definitive completion timeline has been announced.
The centre stationhouse was unveiled on March 24, 2017, introducing new stairs and elevator access. Subsequently, the west stationhouse opened on July 24, 2017, featuring four escalators. The rebuilt east stationhouse became operational on March 19, 2018, also equipped with four escalators. After these improvements, Metrotown station now includes eight escalators, three elevators, and stairways connecting all platform levels.
Services
- Metrotown functions as a major hub for TransLink bus services catering to southern Vancouver and Burnaby.
- It is positioned opposite Central Boulevard from a bus loop adjacent to both the Metropolis at Metrotown and Station Square shopping centres.
- Retail options nearby include The Crystal Mall along with additional commercial developments located one block north on Kingsway.
- The Burnaby Public Library Bob Prittie Metrotown Branch is situated one block away within Burnaby Civic Square.
- Within a two-block radius are Burnaby Civic Square, Kinnee Park, Maywood Park, and Bonsor Park.
- Bonsor Recreation Complex offers community centre amenities within Bonsor Park.
- An ATM is accessible at street level near the station’s east entrance.
Entrances
- East entrance: Positioned on the BC Parkway between Beresford Street and Central Boulevard at the platform’s eastern end. This entrance includes four escalators and opened on March 19, 2018, replacing the former stair-only access point. It is conveniently located near Bay 9 of the Metrotown transit exchange for shuttle buses serving south Burnaby.
- West entrance: Located on the western side of the station, this entrance features four escalators introduced on July 24, 2017, substituting an emergency exit stairway.
- Centre entrance: Construction started in May 2015 to upgrade from a single elevator to include stairs and three elevators; this entrance opened on March 24, 2017, with two elevators initially operational.
Transit connections
Metrotown includes a partially off-street transit exchange located on Beresford Street as well as in front of the ground-level entrance to the Metropolis shopping centre. The bus bay designations are as follows:
| Bay | Routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | For unloading only |
| 2 | 19 Stanley Park | Operated by trolleybus |
| 3 | 430 Richmond–Brighouse Station | Express route |
| 4 | 130 Phibbs Exchange / Kootenay Loop / To Pender | |
| 5 | 222 Phibbs Exchange | Available during peak hours only |
| 6 | 119 Edmonds Station | |
| 129 Holdom Station | Service is limited | |
| 7 | 31 River District | |
| 8 | 146 Suncrest | |
| 147 Edmonds Station | ||
| 10 | — | For unloading only |
| 11 | 49 UBC | Articulated bus service provided |
| 12 | 116 Edmonds Station | |
| 13 | 110 Lougheed Station | |
| 14 | 144 SFU |