Production Way–University station
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Burnaby , Canada |
| Products | SkyTrain services (Expo Line, Millennium Line) |
Production Way–University is an elevated SkyTrain station situated on both the Expo and Millennium Line corridors within Metro Vancouver's rapid transit network. Positioned at the intersection of Lougheed Highway and Production Way in Burnaby, British Columbia, this station originally operated as part of the Millennium Line. After a service realignment in 2016, it transitioned to serve as the terminus for a branch of the Expo Line.
History
Commissioned in 2002 under the Millennium Line expansion, Production Way–University was crafted by Hotson Bakker Architects.
In preparation for the Evergreen Extension, a reconfiguration of SkyTrain routes took place in 2016: Production Way–University became the endpoint of an Expo Line branch connecting to Downtown Vancouver’s Waterfront station. Simultaneously, Millennium Line operations were modified to run between VCC–Clark and Lougheed Town Centre, later extending to Lafarge Lake–Douglas station upon the Evergreen Extension’s inauguration.
Services
Serving as a vital interchange for Simon Fraser University, Production Way–University links to various suburban bus routes. It acts as the terminus for bus route 145, which carries over half of SFU’s bus commuters. Commercial amenities at the station include a convenience store alongside multiple dining options. Additionally, a parking facility with 220 spaces is available.
Proposed gondola
The SFU Community Trust suggested a tri-cable gondola lift system operated by TransLink to connect this station with the SFU Transit Exchange on Burnaby Mountain. The proposal involved a 30-passenger Doppelmayr Garaventa 3S Gondola, akin to Whistler Blackcomb’s Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Advocates emphasized its advantages such as resistance to adverse weather, reduced maintenance expenses, and environmental benefits compared to traditional bus service. Although a provincial feasibility assessment was completed, a 2012 business case revealed that the gondola would exceed bus service costs by $12 million, causing the project to be postponed. In December 2018, TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond mentioned that while the gondola remains part of TransLink’s second phase in its 10-Year Investment Plan, its construction is contingent on funding from higher levels of government.
Station information
Since there is no crossover directly at this station, Expo Line trains terminating here must reverse direction using a crossover located to the west.
Entrances
The primary entrance is located at the northeast corner where Production Way meets Lougheed Highway, with a secondary access point adjacent to the bus exchange.
Transit connections
Bus bays 1 through 3 are positioned inside the loop, while bay 4 is situated on Lougheed Highway heading westbound.
| Bay | Route number | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 145 | SFU Loading only |
| 2 | 110 | Metrotown Station |
| 136 | Lougheed Station | |
| N9 | Coquitlam Station NightBus | |
| 3 | 110 | Lougheed Station |
| 136 | Brentwood Station | |
| 4 | 145 | Production Way Station Unloading only |
| N9 | Downtown NightBus |