SkyTrain (Vancouver)

SkyTrain

Company type	Rapid transit network
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	1985
Headquarters	Metro Vancouver , Canada
Area served	Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Products	Rapid transit services
Parent	TransLink (regional transit authority)
Website	www.translink.ca

SkyTrain serves as the medium-capacity rapid transit network for the Metro Vancouver area in British Columbia, Canada. It operates 79.6 km of fully automated trains on exclusively grade-separated tracks, which include both underground tunnels and elevated guideways, delivering exceptional punctuality. In , SkyTrain achieved an annual ridership of , with a weekday average of .

The name "SkyTrain" originated during Expo 86, inspired by its elevated tracks that provide sweeping views of the cityscape. Among its notable infrastructure is SkyBridge, the third-longest cable-stayed bridge dedicated solely to transit, spanning the Fraser River.

With the inauguration of the Evergreen Extension in December 2016, SkyTrain became Canada's lengthiest rapid transit system and held the record for the world's longest fully automated driverless network at that time. However, it has since been surpassed by metro systems such as Shanghai Metro, Singapore MRT, Kuala Lumpur Rapid KL, Dubai Metro, and Riyadh Metro in terms of automated line length.

SkyTrain encompasses 54 stations distributed along three lines: Expo Line, Millennium Line, and Canada Line. The Expo and Millennium Lines are operated by British Columbia Rapid Transit Company under contract with TransLink, the regional transit authority. Meanwhile, the Canada Line is managed by ProTrans BC, a private concessionaire operating under TransLink’s oversight, and is seamlessly integrated within the regional transit system. SkyTrain utilizes a unified fare system shared with other local transit modes and is secured by Metro Vancouver Transit Police. SkyTrain attendants (STAs) are responsible for first aid, emergency assistance, customer service, fare enforcement, and manual train operation when necessary.

Expo Line

The Expo Line runs from Waterfront station in Vancouver to King George station in Surrey, tracing a corridor originally laid out in 1890. Constructed in 1985 for Expo 86, it currently comprises 24 stations. Initially terminating at New Westminster station, it was extended to Columbia station in 1989 and reached Scott Road station in Surrey by 1990 following the completion of the Skybridge. The line’s terminus shifted to King George station in 1994. The project’s construction cost was $854 million (in 1986 dollars). Since October 22, 2016, Expo Line trains have served a new branch to Production Way–University station, replacing the previous Millennium Line service between Waterfront and that station. During peak hours, trains run every 2 to 3 minutes between Waterfront and Columbia, every 2 to 5 minutes between Waterfront and King George, and every 6 to 7 minutes between Waterfront and Production Way.

Millennium Line

Prior to October 22, 2016, the Millennium Line shared tracks with the Expo Line from Waterfront to Columbia stations before continuing through North Burnaby and East Vancouver, terminating at VCC–Clark station. Developed with a budget of $1.2 billion, its final segment opened on January 6, 2006. Between October and December 2016, service ran from VCC–Clark to Lougheed Town Centre; since December 2, 2016, operations extend from VCC–Clark to Lafarge Lake–Douglas station in Coquitlam. The Millennium Line includes a total of 17 stations featuring three transfer points to the Expo Line and two connections to the West Coast Express commuter rail at Moody Centre and Coquitlam Central. The stations showcase unique architectural designs by leading British Columbia firms; notably, Brentwood Town Centre station earned Busby and Associates Architects a Governor General's Medal in Architecture.

The Evergreen Extension of the Millennium Line added and six stations between Lougheed Town Centre and Lafarge Lake–Douglas; this segment commenced service on December 2, 2016.

Canada Line

Beginning at Waterfront station, the Canada Line travels southward through Vancouver, extending to Richmond and Sea Island. At Bridgeport station, the line divides into two routes: one heading westward to YVR–Airport station at Vancouver International Airport, and the other proceeding south to Richmond–Brighouse station located in Richmond’s downtown area. Launched on August 17, 2009, it introduced 15 new stations and expanded the SkyTrain network by . Waterfront station serves as the sole direct interchange with the Expo Line; nevertheless, an unofficial transfer exists since Vancouver City Centre station is a brief three-minute walk from Granville station via Pacific Centre mall. The $1.9 billion initiative was funded by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia, TransLink, and InTransitBC. Hyundai Rotem manufactured the trains, which operate fully automatically but utilize traditional electric motors instead of the linear induction motors employed on other lines. The Canada Line features tracks that are isolated from the rest of the SkyTrain system and includes its own dedicated maintenance facility.

Operations

Line	Year Opened	Route LengthTemplate:Fix/category	Stations	Terminal Stations		Duration of Trip	Service Frequency		Aggregate Frequency
							Peak	Off-peak	Peak	Off-peak
Template:Rint Expo Line	1985	28.9 km (18.0 mi)	20			40 min	2–5 min	6–10 min	2–3 min	3–5 min
	2016	29.7 km (18.5 mi)	20			41 min	12 min	12 min
	2024	25.9 km (16.1 mi)	18			36 min	12 min	—	—	—
Template:Rint Millennium Line	2002	25.5 km (15.8 mi)	17			36 min	3–4 min	6–10 min
style="text-align:left; background:#eaecf0;" rowspan="2" | Template:Rint Canada Line	rowspan="2" | 2009	14.4 km (8.9 mi)	14	rowspan="2" | Waterfront		25 min	6 min	6–15 min	rowspan="2" | 3 min	rowspan="2" | 3–8 min
15.1	13		26 min	6 min	6–15 min

Frequency

SkyTrain delivers frequent service, with trains arriving every 2 to 6 minutes at all stations during peak periods. Operating hours run from 5:07 a.m. until approximately 1:55 a.m. on weekdays, while weekend schedules on the Expo and Millennium lines are shortened. On weekdays, the final eastbound departures from downtown occur between 12:40 a.m. and 1:15 a.m. Service hours are extended during special occasions such as New Year's Eve, the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, and marathon events.

Cash fares as of July 1, 2025

Fare category	One zone	Two zones	Three zones	Airport AddFare
Adult (cash)	$3.35	$4.85	$6.65	+$5.00
Adult (stored value)	$2.70	$4.00	$5.10	+$5.00
Concession	$2.25	$3.30	$4.50	+$5.00

Fares

The SkyTrain network is segmented into three fare zones, with ticket prices determined by the number of zone boundaries crossed during a journey; however, after 6:30 p.m., on weekends, and statutory holidays, fares for two or three zones revert to the one-zone rate. Passengers can purchase fares using cash, debit, or credit cards at station vending machines. Various fare products are available including FareSaver tickets, DayPasses, monthly FareCards, EmployerPasses, U-Pass for students, and specialized passes. Cards issued by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind are accepted without requiring validation at fare boxes.

Single-ride fares remain valid for 90 minutes and allow unlimited transfers across all transit modes such as SkyTrain lines, buses, and SeaBus routes. Concession pricing applies to secondary school students holding a Go-Card and seniors; children under 12 have been eligible for free travel since September 2021.

Prior to April 2016, SkyTrain operated under a proof-of-payment system enforced through random ticket inspections conducted by police or transit security personnel, complemented by controlled gate access at high-attendance events like BC Lions or Vancouver Canucks games.

Fare gates

The concept of installing fare gates to reduce fare evasion has been under consideration since SkyTrain’s inception but was repeatedly deferred due to high installation and upkeep expenses exceeding anticipated revenue losses. In 2005, TransLink estimated fare evasion accounted for a $4 million annual loss (around 5% of SkyTrain revenue). Although Canada Line and Millennium Line stations were constructed with provisions for future fare gate installation, the Canada Line launched in 2009 without gates in place. Subsequently, Expo Line stations were retrofitted to accommodate the new system.

The 2008 Provincial Transit Plan proposed replacing the proof-of-payment model with a gated ticketing system intended for private sector rollout by 2010. Funding of $100 million was allocated by provincial and federal governments in 2009 to implement gates by the end of 2010; however, TransLink postponed installation until 2012 to coincide with the introduction of a smart card system.

On August 14, 2013, it was announced that bus-issued transfers (magnetic stripe paper cards) would continue to be used for cash fares but would no longer be accepted at SkyTrain or SeaBus fare gates. Consequently, passengers paying cash on buses needed to pay an additional fare when transferring to these modes. Those beginning their trips at SkyTrain or SeaBus stations received Compass tickets permitting bus transfers.

Although construction of SkyTrain fare gates was completed in May 2014, gates remained open until April 2016 due to technical difficulties with the system. During this interim period, paper passes and transfer tickets allowed free entry but passengers were subject to fare inspections within fare-paid zones. When fully operational, gate closures were limited to peak hours only; off-peak times maintained at least one gate open to accommodate accessibility requirements. Full activation was further delayed by issues related to Compass Card tap-out procedures on buses that caused incorrect three-zone charges when riders traveled fewer zones than recorded—this complication pushed back full implementation from its initially planned date in 2013.

The resolution involved eliminating the need for bus tap-outs by treating all bus trips as a single zone journey, which lowered costs for riders crossing multiple zones by bus and impacted travel patterns across the network. The final accessible fare gates ceased operation on July 25, 2016, marking completion of full gate system deployment.

Airport surcharge

Riding the Canada Line is complimentary between the three Sea Island stations adjacent to Vancouver International Airport: Templeton, Sea Island Centre, and YVR–Airport.

When purchasing single-use Compass tickets with cash at Sea Island stations, a $5.00 "YVR AddFare" fee is added to the standard fare. This additional charge also applies to journeys originating from Sea Island stations heading eastward to Bridgeport or beyond when using Compass Card stored value or DayPasses. However, it does not affect monthly pass holders or trips to the airport made with DayPasses or single-use tickets bought off Sea Island. The YVR AddFare was implemented on January 18, 2010, with all proceeds allocated to TransLink.

Ridership

By September 2019, SkyTrain recorded an average of 526,400 weekday boardings. The system’s total ridership climbed to 151 million in 2017, up from 117.4 million in 2010—comprising 38.4 million on the Canada Line and 79 million combined on the Expo and Millennium Lines. Early in 2011, the Canada Line serviced approximately 110,000 passengers daily, exceeding initial ridership projections by three years.

The peak ridership occurred during the 2010 Winter Olympics, when event tickets provided unlimited daily transit access. During this period, Canada Line usage doubled to an average of 228,000 daily trips, reaching a maximum of 287,400 on February 19, 2010. Simultaneously, Expo and Millennium Lines experienced a 64% increase to an average of 394,000 daily trips, with a one-day record of 567,000 trips on February 20, 2010. Following the Olympics, transit use remained elevated by 7.8% compared to the previous year.

TransLink SkyTrain ridership by year

Year	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Trips (millions)	137.4	151.4	160.0	165.1	74.5	76.32	116.6	141.3	149.1

Funding

In the year 2008, operating SkyTrain—which recorded roughly 73.5 million boardings—incurred costs of $83 million. TransLink’s funding sources consisted mainly of transit fares alongside advertising revenues totaling $360 million and taxes amounting to $262 million from fuel taxes and $298 million from property taxes; these taxes also support buses, roadways, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. Capital expenditures were jointly financed with government partners and summed to $216 million in that year. For example, expenses for building the Canada Line were shared among TransLink ($335 million or about 22%), the federal government (29%), provincial government (28%), airport authority (19%), and City of Vancouver (2%).

TransLink has maintained operating surpluses since 2001 but covers capital investments through borrowing. As of 2006, TransLink carried $1.1 billion in long-term debt—including $508 million inherited from the province in 1999 when SkyTrain management was transferred to TransLink. The province continues to own critical infrastructure such as causeways and bridges along with certain services and portions of SkyTrain’s debt obligations.

Security

Law enforcement duties are managed by the Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP), which succeeded the prior limited-authority special provincial constables employed by TransLink.

On December 4, 2005, MVTP became the first transit police agency in Canada to be granted full police powers and authorized to carry firearms. Although this decision initially sparked public debate, the Solicitor General of British Columbia justified arming officers as a necessary measure to ensure safety across SkyTrain operations. MVTP officers undergo training comparable to that of municipal police and the RCMP, empowering them to enforce laws both on TransLink premises and in surrounding areas. Their responsibilities include issuing citations for fare evasion and addressing infractions across SkyTrain, bus networks, SeaBus, and West Coast Express services.

Fare enforcement is conducted jointly by Transit Police and Transit Security personnel; the latter primarily oversees buses, transit loops, and SeaBus terminals. Meanwhile, SkyTrain attendants focus on customer assistance, first aid provision, operational support, and fare verification.

Although incidents of violence have occurred sporadically, TransLink continues to prioritize system security. In 2009, Vancouver Police reported low crime rates within station boundaries but noted an uptick in criminal activity within a 400–700 meter radius outside stations.

Approximately 23 closed-circuit television cameras monitor each station, facilitating live surveillance. Waiting areas have been enhanced with better illumination, seating, emergency call points, and trains are outfitted with silent alert strips and two-way communication devices enabling contact with operators.

In 2007, surveillance systems transitioned from analog to digital recording aimed at preserving footage for up to seven days; however, police access was restricted to a two-hour loop, limiting evidence availability.

By November 2008, there had been at least 54 fatalities on Expo and Millennium Line platforms and tracks—comprising 44 suicides and 10 accidental deaths.

Planning

In the 1950s, Vancouver explored the possibility of a monorail system designed by modernist architect Wells Coates, but this plan was ultimately shelved. During the 1970s, mounting traffic congestion underscored the need for rapid transit solutions; however, local government funding was inadequate. Simultaneously, Ontario’s crown corporation Urban Transportation Development Corporation developed the "Intermediate Capacity Transit System." By 1980, British Columbia selected this "Advanced Light Rapid Transit" technology for a corridor connecting Vancouver with New Westminster, targeting completion ahead of Expo 86.

Expo Line

The Expo Line was developed as a legacy project for Expo 86, reflecting the fair’s theme: "Transportation and Communication: World in Motion – World in Touch." Construction commenced in March 1982 with financial backing from provincial and federal sources. Cost-saving measures included utilizing the pre-existing Dunsmuir Tunnel beneath downtown Vancouver.

The initial segment from Waterfront to New Westminster station launched limited fare-free service on December 11, 1985. Revenue operations began January 3, 1986; within its inaugural year, it transported over 30 million passengers including those attending Expo. Expansion efforts started in 1989 with the addition of SkyBridge and stations extending service into Surrey, which opened on March 16, 1990. Further extensions in 1994 introduced Gateway, Surrey Central, and King George stations. The SkyTrain system became a cornerstone of the 1996 Greater Vancouver Regional District Livable Region Strategic Plan aimed at managing regional population growth through enhanced transit infrastructure.

Millennium Line

The Millennium Line's first portion began operations in 2002, initially serving stations such as Braid and Sapperton, with the majority of the line catering to North Burnaby and East Vancouver communities later that year. This initial phase was completed $50 million below the projected budget. Despite this, detractors criticized the line as the "SkyTrain to Nowhere," suggesting that political motivations outweighed actual commuter needs. A particular point of contention was the terminus at VCC–Clark, situated near Clark Drive and Broadway on a vacant lot designated for a future high-tech hub and close to QLT Inc.’s headquarters; however, anticipated development in this area did not materialize promptly.

Due to negotiations over right-of-way with BNSF Railway, the VCC–Clark station did not open until 2006 and remains approximately five kilometres short of the originally intended Phase II endpoint at Granville Street and 10th Avenue. Upon its inauguration, plans to extend the line westward by adding three more stations were deprioritized and effectively abandoned.

Evergreen Extension

The second phase of the Millennium Line, known as the Evergreen Extension, stretches from Lougheed Mall in Burnaby to Douglas College in Coquitlam. Initially referred to as the Port Moody-Coquitlam (PMC) Line, it provides a continuous "one-seat ride" connecting Coquitlam directly to Vancouver. Preparations for this extension, including track switches and a partially constructed third platform at Lougheed Town Centre station, were integrated during earlier construction phases. However, Phase II experienced delays due to changes in government and a shift in focus toward prioritizing the Canada Line for the 2010 Olympic Games. Preliminary works started in July 2012, with major construction commencing in June 2013. The extension officially began revenue service on December 2, 2016.

Canada Line

The Canada Line was established through a public–private partnership spearheaded by ProTransBC (led by SNC-Lavalin), which contributed partial funding and operates the line under a 35-year agreement with TransLink guaranteeing minimum ridership levels. Although rapid transit options for the Richmond–Vancouver corridor had been under consideration since 1979, financial approval came only in the early 2000s. The line opened ahead of schedule on August 17, 2009—fifteen weeks early—and within budget. Ridership quickly surpassed projections, reaching 100,000 weekday passengers by May 2010 and climbing to 136,000 by June 2011. The Canada Line functions independently from other SkyTrain routes, employing unique rolling stock characterized by shorter trains with wider cars that are incompatible with those used on the Expo and Millennium Lines.

Impact

SkyTrain has played a pivotal role in driving development around its stations and influencing patterns of urban density within Metro Vancouver. Between 1991 and 2001, populations residing within proximity of SkyTrain stations increased by 37%, significantly outpacing the regional growth rate of 24%. Since its inception, the population served by SkyTrain corridors has expanded from approximately 400,000 to 1.3 million residents. BC Transit has reported private investments exceeding $5 billion within a 10–15 minute walking radius of SkyTrain and SeaBus stations, attributing much of this expansion to these transit services.

Routes

The SkyTrain network consists of three primary lines: Expo Line, Millennium Line, and Canada Line. The Expo Line operates between Waterfront station in Downtown Vancouver and Columbia station in New Westminster, serving key municipalities including Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster. From Columbia station, it branches into two directions: one extending to King George station in Surrey, and another heading toward Production Way–University station via Burnaby.

The Millennium Line runs from VCC–Clark station to Lafarge Lake–Douglas station located in Coquitlam, intersecting with the Expo Line at Commercial–Broadway, Lougheed Town Centre, and Production Way–University stations.

The Canada Line travels southbound from Waterfront station toward Richmond before splitting at Bridgeport into two branches terminating at Richmond–Brighouse station and Vancouver International Airport respectively.

Although predominantly elevated, portions of SkyTrain operate at or below ground level through Downtown Vancouver; sections of the Canada Line run similarly until Marine Drive station near Richmond; there is also a tunnel segment between Coquitlam and Port Moody on the Millennium Line; another tunnel exists between Columbia and Sapperton stations; along with brief underground stretches in Burnaby and New Westminster.

The Expo Line includes the SkyBridge—the world's second-longest transit-exclusive bridge—a cable-stayed structure spanning the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey featuring tall towers. The Canada Line incorporates two dedicated transit bridges: the North Arm Bridge, an extradosed bridge with reduced-height towers due to its proximity to Vancouver International Airport that also supports pedestrian and bicycle pathways connecting Vancouver and Richmond networks; plus the shorter Middle Arm Bridge constructed as a box girder design.

Technology

The signalling system that supports automatic train operation across all three SkyTrain routes was initially created by Alcatel and installed via a 3.5" floppy disk. At the outset, operations were managed by four vehicle control computers (VCCs): VCC1 handled the section from Waterfront to Royal Oak; VCC2 oversaw Royal Oak to King George and part of the Millennium Line; VCC3 was responsible for the storage yard. As SkyTrain expanded, additional VCCs were incorporated. Each VCC is composed of three IBM Type 7588 rack-mounted single-board computers equipped with Intel-IA32 Pentium processors configured in a fault-tolerant architecture. Command execution requires consensus from at least two CPUs; failure to meet this results in error signals and command rejection.

Communication between the VCC and the train’s vehicle onboard computer (VOBC) occurs via coaxial cables running alongside the tracks, with up to two VOBCs assigned per married-pair train configuration. In cases where communication is lost, emergency braking is activated through a Quester Tangent brake assurance monitor (BAM) that controls both propulsion and braking functions. Routine operations are coordinated through the SMC system, which schedules and validates commands transmitted via the VCC; if the SMC becomes nonfunctional, the system switches to a "degraded mode," allowing direct control by the VCC. The SkyTrain health monitoring unit (HMU), developed by Quester Tangent, facilitates vehicle maintenance by interfacing with the CAN vehicle network and providing diagnostic readouts.

The signalling technology underpinning SkyTrain served as the foundation for SelTrac, currently maintained and marketed by Thales, and deployed worldwide. This sophisticated system contributes to punctuality rates exceeding 96% on the Expo and Millennium Lines, with most delays attributed to passenger interference with train doors. Throughout revenue service, only two derailments have been recorded.

Accessibility

The entire SkyTrain system is designed to accommodate mobility requirements fully. Mark I train cars include one designated wheelchair space, while Mark II, Mark III, and Hyundai Rotem models offer two such positions. Elevators are available at every station. TransLink has upgraded Expo Line platform edges to feature wider, brighter tactile tiles similar to those on the Millennium Line, improving safety for visually impaired users; this design is also implemented at Canada Line stations. Since the inauguration of the Millennium Line, numerous Expo Line stations have been refurbished with updated signage and ticket vending machines. Deaf passengers benefit from real-time English text displays at stations and on newer trains; however, reliance on spoken announcements during service interruptions continues to pose challenges.

The iconic three-tone chime of SkyTrain was originally recorded in Vancouver during 1984–85. Automated voice announcements have been delivered by Laureen Regan since 2002, succeeding Karen Kelm who provided announcements from 1985 until 2001.

Expo and Millennium Lines

The Expo and Millennium Lines operate Bombardier’s Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) vehicles featuring automated trains powered by linear induction motors. These trains achieve speeds up to ; factoring in stops, their average travel speed end-to-end is , which is three times faster than conventional buses and nearly double that of B-Line express buses. During winter months, TransLink personnel remove snow and ice from train doors using hockey sticks to prevent operational issues. When weather conditions cause obstructions, trains reduce speed and are monitored by attendants capable of manually overriding controls if necessary.

UTDC ICTS Mark I fleet

The original fleet comprised lightweight Mark I ICTS vehicles from the Urban Transportation Development Corporation, resembling those used on Toronto's Line 3 Scarborough and the Detroit People Mover. These Mark I units operate in paired sets, commonly forming six-car trains on the Expo Line, though configurations of two, four, or six cars are possible. Train lengths are capped at six cars (), corresponding to platform dimensions. The SkyTrain system's inventory includes 150 Mark I cars characterized by a mix of seating arrangements, interiors in red, white, and blue hues, and four doors per vehicle.

Bombardier ART Mark II fleet

For the Millennium Line rollout, TransLink procured Bombardier’s Mark II ART trains, partially assembled in Burnaby. Comparable models are in service on Kuala Lumpur’s Kelana Jaya Line, New York’s JFK AirTrain, and Beijing’s Airport Express. These trains operate as four-car sets on the Expo Line and two-car sets along the Millennium Line. Each semi-permanently coupled "married pair" spans . The Mark II design incorporates streamlined car ends and articulated connections that permit passenger movement between cars. Interiors feature white, grey, and blue color schemes with six doors per car. In 2009, TransLink expanded the fleet by adding 48 upgraded Mark II ART vehicles equipped with CCTV systems and LED route maps.

Bombardier Innovia Metro 300 (ART Mark III) fleet

Bombardier’s newest ART model, the Innovia Metro 300 (Mark III), retains similar size specifications to the Mark II but enhances capacity through redesigned interior layouts. TransLink initially ordered 28 Mark III cars delivered starting in 2015, with revenue service commencing in August 2016. These streamlined trains feature larger side windows, revamped car ends, and interiors modified to better accommodate bicycles and strollers by reducing some seating. The Mark III also offers superior soundproofing and thermal insulation. Originally intended for use on the Evergreen Extension as four-car articulated sets, a shortage necessitated their deployment on the Expo Line instead, while two-car Innovia 200 (Mark II) trains continue serving the Millennium Line. Additional orders increased the total to 56 units by late 2019 and 84 by the end of 2020 to satisfy rising ridership demands.

Alstom Mark V fleet

In 2020, TransLink commissioned 205 new train cars at a cost of $723 million to facilitate the Millennium Line Broadway extension and replace older Mark I units. Following Alstom’s acquisition of Bombardier Transportation in January 2021, they were contracted to manufacture the Mark V trainsets. These five-car trainsets, resembling the design of Mark III models, represent the system’s longest trains at . They feature updated seating arrangements, LCD screens above doors replacing former LED signage, door indicator lights, widened aisles to boost standing capacity, expanded flexible spaces for wheelchairs, bicycles, and strollers, leaning pads for passengers, and enhanced HVAC systems. The interior design includes Indigenous artwork and reintroduces a "driver's seat" at each end of the train—a feature last seen in the Mark II series.

Canada Line

The Canada Line utilizes Hyundai Rotem EMU trains powered by traditional electric motors rather than the linear induction motor technology employed on the Expo and Millennium Lines; consequently, these vehicles are incompatible across those lines. The fleet consists of 20 two-car articulated trains capable of reaching speeds up to , with maintenance conducted at a facility near Bridgeport station in Richmond.

On February 22, 2018, TransLink announced an order for an additional 24 Canada Line cars slated for delivery by 2020, expanding the total to 32 two-car trainsets.

Future development plans

Multiple expansions for the SkyTrain system have been announced over time. In 2005, TransLink presented a decade-long strategy that included a potential new line to the University of British Columbia (UBC) and further growth of the Expo Line into Surrey. By 2011, rapid transit assessments explored various options for the UBC–Broadway corridor and the Surrey/South of Fraser area. Additionally, capacity enhancements on the Expo Line are planned to accommodate rising ridership.

Construction began in the early 2020s on two significant projects—the Broadway corridor extension and the Expo Line expansion toward Langley—along with the procurement of 235 new train cars and upgrades to existing facilities.

Broadway corridor extension

Initial concepts proposed extending SkyTrain westward along Broadway but stopped short of reaching UBC due to high projected costs, estimated at $700 million back in 1999. The 2008 Provincial Transit Plan allocated funds for a full Broadway corridor extension to UBC, intended to replace bus services carrying over 100,000 daily passengers and to provide a transfer point with the Canada Line at Cambie Street. At that time, the estimated cost was $2.8 billion with a completion goal set for 2020.

The government envisioned extending the Millennium Line from VCC–Clark station via elevated or underground platforms along Broadway to UBC, enabling direct travel from Coquitlam without transfers. Passengers traveling east of Commercial–Broadway station would benefit from an alternative downtown route through Canada Line connections. Other transit modes such as light rail and bus rapid transit were also under consideration.

The 2011 UBC Line Rapid Transit Study reviewed options including SkyTrain, light rail, and bus rapid transit for the Broadway expansion. By June 2014, plans proposed extending the Millennium Line from VCC–Clark to Arbutus Street (phase one), featuring an interchange with the Canada Line at Broadway–City Hall station; phase two would continue from Arbutus to UBC. However, a 2015 referendum aiming to raise 25% of funding was rejected.

On March 16, 2018, provincial authorities approved constructing the Millennium Line extension underground up to Arbutus Street with six new stations, commencing in 2019 and aiming for completion by 2025. Shortly after, on April 19, 2018, UBC’s Board of Governors discussed accelerating funding for the segment from Arbutus to campus.

Vancouver City Council formally supported extending the line underground all the way to UBC on January 30, 2019.

On July 17, 2020, the design–build contract was awarded to the Acciona–Ghella Joint Venture. Premier John Horgan confirmed that despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, construction would begin late in 2020 with service targeted for 2025. Transportation Minister Claire Trevena indicated that no immediate plans were in place to extend beyond Arbutus toward UBC.

Labour disputes caused delays pushing the opening date from early 2026 to late 2027 as announced in May 2024 due to setbacks in tunnel-boring operations.

Expo Line extension

The 2008 Provincial Transit Plan included an Expo Line extension starting at King George station in Surrey, proceeding eastward to Guildford, then following 152 Street southward to Fraser Highway, continuing southeast toward 168 Street with a further stretch reaching Willowbrook Shopping Centre in Langley City. After evaluating SkyTrain alongside light rail and bus rapid transit alternatives, federal funding was secured in 2021 for a SkyTrain extension reaching Langley City. This project carries an estimated cost ranging from $3.8 billion to $3.95 billion, jointly financed by federal and provincial governments as well as TransLink. In July 2022, approval was granted by provincial authorities to construct the entire extension in one phase with eight stations slated to open in 2028. The procurement process for private contractors commenced in October 2022 with contract awards expected by December 2023. The project is segmented into three contracts covering guideway construction, station development, and electrical systems installation. Groundbreaking took place in November 2024 with completion anticipated by 2029.

Expansion of Expo Line Capacity

Multiple approaches have been considered to boost the capacity of the Expo Line, such as deploying longer trains, shortening intervals between trains, and extending platforms beyond their existing lengths. Towards the end of 2020, TransLink placed an order for 41 five-car Alstom Mark V trainsets intended to replace older models with lower passenger capacity. In May 2024, an additional six Mark V trainsets were procured, bringing the total to 47 units.

Maintenance Facility in Coquitlam

In March 2021, plans were unveiled for a new maintenance and storage yard situated near the New Westminster–Coquitlam boundary along North Road. This facility is designed to support forthcoming extensions of the Expo and Millennium lines. The land acquisition cost was $82.5 million, while construction and track installation expenses are projected at $300 million. Expected to be operational by 2027, this site will accommodate storage for 145 rail cars and expand maintenance capabilities ahead of the Millennium Line Broadway extension scheduled for early 2026.

Millennium Line Extension to University of British Columbia

Back in 2008, the British Columbia government pledged to extend the Millennium Line to reach UBC by 2020 as part of a $14-billion transit investment initiative; however, this project did not advance. The TransLink Mayors' Council reaffirmed support for this extension in February 2019, although funding beyond Arbutus Street has yet to be secured. In April 2022, TransLink reviewed potential routes near UBC and proposed a larger terminal featuring additional pocket storage tracks to enhance operational flexibility. By March 2023, a contractor was commissioned to prepare a business case for this extension, which is anticipated by December 2024.

Extension Toward Port Coquitlam

During the construction of the Evergreen Extension, preliminary track infrastructure was laid at Coquitlam Central station to facilitate a future eastward expansion toward Port Coquitlam. This development would create two branches alternating service between Lafarge Lake–Douglas station and Port Coquitlam. A feasibility study commenced in early 2020 and lasted approximately six months. Local officials—including Port Coquitlam mayor Brad West and the city councils of Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam—have expressed support for the initiative. Nevertheless, as of 2022, no formal funding or definitive plan has been established.

Transit Connection to North Shore

In 2019, the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation announced intentions to investigate a rapid transit connection linking downtown Vancouver with the North Shore, potentially utilizing SkyTrain technology. By March 2020, six potential routes for a high-capacity fixed-link crossing over Burrard Inlet had been identified. In 2022, TransLink suggested that initial service would probably involve bus rapid transit (BRT) operating between Park Royal and Metrotown, while feasibility assessments continue for a longer-term light rail or SkyTrain solution.

See also

• List of metro systems

External links

• TransLink – Transit authority overseeing SkyTrain operations
• Evergreen Line – Official page for British Columbia’s Evergreen Extension
• Millennium Line Extension – Preliminary study by City of Vancouver
• Google map showing Vancouver SkyTrain