New Westminster station
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | New Westminster, British Columbia , Canada |
| Products | SkyTrain Expo Line services |
New Westminster station is an elevated stop on the Expo Line within Metro Vancouver's rapid transit network, the SkyTrain. Situated at the intersection of Columbia Street and 8th Street in New Westminster, British Columbia, it became Canada's first train station to feature direct platform-level access to a shopping centre when it was incorporated into the Shops at New West complex in 2012.
History
Constructed in 1985 as part of the initial SkyTrain infrastructure for Expo 86, New Westminster station was designed by the Austrian architectural group Architektengruppe U-Bahn. The station significantly contributed to the revitalization of the New Westminster Quay vicinity.
Serving as the eastern endpoint of the SkyTrain line until 1989, it continues to function as a temporary terminus during late-night operations. Early service included the use of a provisional platform on the westbound track, with trains operating on the eastbound guideway.
Originally, this station was a central hub for bus transfers, connecting routes to Coquitlam, Langley, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Surrey. Following expansions of the Expo Line and the inauguration of the Millennium Line in 2002, numerous bus services were redirected to stations such as Scott Road station, Braid, Lougheed Town Centre, and Burquitlam.
The 2012 integration with Shops at New West formed part of the mixed-use Plaza 88 project, which revitalized five city blocks surrounding the station.
Between May 2015 and November 2016, TransLink allocated $12 million toward upgrading New Westminster station. These enhancements improved its integration with Shops at New West and supported wider Expo Line improvements undertaken by TransLink and the British Columbia Rapid Transit Company (BCRTC).
Services
- The station offers connections to local bus and shuttle routes serving Quayside and Uptown, as well as regional bus services heading toward Burnaby.
- Certain late-night Expo Line trains originating from Production Way–University and King George conclude their trips at this station.
- It features the "New Westminster Smoke Shoppe," a convenience outlet operating since SkyTrain's debut in 1986.
- Located two blocks south are New Westminster Quay and River Market, accessible via either a pedestrian overpass or street-level crossing.
- A pedestrian bridge connects the upper levels of the station across SkyTrain tracks.
- Direct access from the station leads to both the Shops at New West mall and a 10-screen Landmark Cinemas theatre.
Entrances
- 8th Street entrance: Positioned on the east side between Columbia and Carnarvon Streets, this entrance experiences the highest volume of foot traffic. Bicycle parking facilities are available. Temporary stops for New Westminster community shuttles are located nearby at Bays 6 and 7.
- McNeely Street entrance: Found at the western end, this entrance serves both the original off-street bus loop and the current on-street transit exchange (bays 1–5). It connects internally to other entrances via the concourse level.
- Quayside Drive entrance: Opened in December 2011 as part of Plaza 88 development, this entryway links the concourse level to Quayside overpass through access within Shops at New West.
Transit connections
Located beneath Shops at New West, the bus loop sits between Carnarvon and Columbia Streets, just west of 8th Street. The designated bus bay assignments are as follows:
| Bay | Location | Routes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8th Street Southbound |
For unloading only |
| 2 | Columbia Street Westbound |
Route 103 Quayside |
| 3 | Columbia Street Westbound |
Unloading exclusively |
| 4 | Bus loop |
|
| 5 | Bus loop | Routes 105 Uptown and 109 to Lougheed Station |
| 6 | Bus loop | HandyDART transit service |
| 7 | Bus loop | Route 106 to Edmonds Station |
| 8 | Carnarvon Street Eastbound |
Unloading only |
| 9 | 8th Street Southbound |
Route 102 Victoria Hill |
| 10 | Carnarvon Street Eastbound |
Route 112 Edmonds Station |