SkyTrain (Vancouver)

] [cite web|url=http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/archives_skytrain_tunnel.htm|publisher=Vancouver History|title=The SkyTrain Tunnel|accessdate = 2007-06-12] who inaugurated the system at Waterfront Station. The SkyTrain was conceived as a legacy project of Expo 86 and the first line was finished in 1985 in time to showcase the fair's theme: "Transportation and Communication: World in Motion - World in Touch". [cite web|title=Canada at International Expositions|url=http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/expo/pre_e.cfm#expo86|publisher=Government of Canada|accessdate=2006-12-13]

SkyBridge and Scott Road Station were added in 1989, extending service to Surrey. [cite book|last=Davis|first=Chuck|url=http://www.discovervancouver.com/GVB/vancouver-bridges.asp|title=The Greater Vancouver Book: an Urban Encyclopedia|publisher=Linkman Press|location=Surrey, BC|date=1997|id=ISBN 1-896846-00-9] The line was expanded yet again in 1994 with the opening of the Gateway, Surrey Central, and King George stations. The SkyTrain is part of the 1996 Greater Vancouver Regional District's (GVRD) Livable Region Strategic Plan, which discusses strategies to deal with the anticipated increase of population in the near future. Some of these include methods of increasing transportation choices and much higher transit use. [cite web|title=Details of The Livable Region Strategic Plan|url=http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/cityplans/region/livableplan.htm|publisher=City of Vancouver|accessdate=2007-05-25]

In 1997 negotiations began on transferring responsibility for SkyTrain from the province to the local governments at the GVRD after different visions emerged on how to cope with the growing region and expansion line.cite paper |author= Auditor General of BC|title= Transportation in Greater Vancouver|publisher= British Columbia|date=2001/2002] In 1999, with the adoption of the "Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Act" (now "South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act"), responsibility for SkyTrain, and the ownership of SkyTrain's operating company British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd., was transferred from BC Transit to the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, branded as TransLink. [cite web|title=BC Transit General Information|url=http://www.bctransit.com/corporate/?p=1.txt|accessdate=2007-04-10] [ cite web|author=Office of the Comptroller General|title= British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd. Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 1999 |url=http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/ocg/cfa/pa/98-99/Sup-E/govtorgs/422-99-AS-04.htm|publisher= BC Ministry of Finance and Corporate Relations|date=1999-05-07|accessdate=2007-06-16] As part of the deal, they agreed on a limited growth plan with the province taking responsibility for expansion under the Crown corporation Rapid Transit Project 2000 Ltd. (RTP 2000) and a cost-sharing scheme.

Expansion options for the rapidly growing region that was outstripping TransLink's capacity and ability to cope, included streetcars, rapid buses, and light rapid transit, which were passed-over in favour of new SkyTrain lines. [cite web|url=http://www.cdnarchitect.com/issues/ISarticle.asp?id=70651&story_id=CA109171&issue=07012001&PC=&btac=no|title=Vancouver's Millennium Line|author=Jim Taggart|publisher=Canadian Architect|accessdate=2006-12-19] RTP 2000 proposed a two-phase expansion: a $1.2 billion Millennium Line from New Westminster to the Vancouver Community College via Lougheed Town Centre in Phase I and a $730 million Coquitlam line from Lougheed Mall to Coquitlam Centre via Port Moody and a Western Line from Vancouver Community College to Granville Street via the Broadway Corridor, both to be completed before 2006, in Phase II.

The first section of the Millennium Line opened in 2002, with Braid and Sapperton stations. Most of the remaining portion began operating later that year, serving North Burnaby and East Vancouver. Critics of the project dubbed it the "SkyTrain to Nowhere", claiming that the route of the new line was based on political concerns, not the needs of commuters. [cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Paul|title=B.C.'s SkyTrain to Nowhere|Publisher=Globe and Mail|date=2002-01-08|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/GIS.Servlets.HTMLTemplate?current_row=96&tf=tgam/columnists/FullColumn.html&cf=tgam/columnists/FullColumn.cfg&configFileLoc=tgam/config&date=&dateOffset=&hub=paulSullivan&title=Paul_Sullivan&cache_key=paulSullivan&start_row=96&num_rows=1|accessdate=2007-06-06] An illustration of this complaint is that the end of the Millennium Line is in a vacant field, a site that was chosen because it was supposed to be the location for a new high-tech development and is a few hundred metres from the head office of QLT Inc. but additional development has been slow to get off the ground.cite news| last =Carrigg| first =David| title =SkyTrain critics have their say| publisher =Vancouver Courier| date =2001-02-19| url =http://www.vancourier.com/issues01/02401/top4.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-21 ] Vancouver Community College is currently building its north campus close to the station. That station, VCC-Clark near Clark Drive and Broadway, did not open until 2006 because of difficulty in negotiating the right-of-way from BNSF, but it is still five kilometres short of the original proposed Phase II terminus at Granville Street. [cite news| last =Carrigg| first =David| title =SkyTrain extension off the rails| publisher =Vancouver Courier| date =2004-08-05| url =http://www.vancourier.com/issues02/045102/news/045102nn6.html| accessdate = 2006-12-21] The second Phase II segment is currently being planned, the line being called the Evergreen Line and is scheduled to start operations by 2014. Phase I of the Millennium was completed under budget.

Lines

The SkyTrain runs on two lines: the Expo Line and the Millennium Line, coloured blue and yellow respectively on maps. The system is 49.5 kilometres (approximately 30.8 mi) and feature 33 stations throughout the line.

A third line — the Canada Line — is slated for completion in November 2009. This will add another 19 kilometres of automated rail to the system. Current SkyTrains cannot be used on the Canada Line and vice versa as the Canada Line uses rotary propulsion technology as opposed to SkyTrain's linear-motor technology. Furthermore, Canada Line trains are wider than SkyTrains.

The Evergreen Line is another line that has passed the approval stage; it was confirmed by both the Provincial Government of British Columbia and Translink in February 2008 that it will use ALRT (SkyTrain-like) technology, rather than light rail as previously planned. This line will be completed in 2014. The UBC Line (extension of the Millennium Line to UBC via Broadway) will be completed by 2020 according to the Provincial Transportation Plancite web|url=http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/Transit_Plan/Provincial_Transit_Plan_LR.pdf|title=Provincial Transit Plan Brochure|accessdate=2008-01-17.]

When not in use, the trains are stored at the Edmonds Yard and Control Centre, located between the Edmonds and 22nd Street stations (Southridge and Griffiths Drives) in Burnaby. The current yard is reaching its maximum capacity and a new maintenance centre will be needed. Previous reports show possible locations around Great Northern Way in Vancouver near VCC/Clark station or at Port Moody/Coquitlam, near the future Evergreen Line.

In operation

The Expo Line connects Waterfront Station in Vancouver to King George Station in Surrey, principally along a route established by the Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Company as an interurban line in 1890. [Citation |title=Your Ride Guide 2006 (Vancouver Sun, with TransLink and Bombardier) |last1=Heckenast|first1=Joe|last2=McGraw|first2=Jim|date=2006|publisher=McGraw Media|place=New Westminster, B.C.|page=14] It was built in 1985 in time for Expo 86 and has 20 stations. It was given its name only after the Millennium Line was built. Until 1989, it only ran as far as New Westminster Station, when it was extended to Columbia Station and in 1990 across the Fraser River to Scott Road once the Skybridge was finished. In 1994 the terminus of Expo line became King George Station in Central Surrey. It was built on a budget of $854 million (1986 dollars). [cite news|title=SkyTrain and Cambie Bridge taking us down road to Expo Series: The Eighties; [1* Edition] |work=The Province|last=Mason|first=Bruce|date=1989-12-31|page=20]

The Millennium Line follows the Expo Line from Waterfront Station to Columbia Station in New Westminster, then continues along its own route through North Burnaby and East Vancouver, ending at Vancouver Community College (VCC-Clark Station) in Vancouver. It was built on a $1.2 billion budget and the final extension from Commercial Drive Station to VCC-Clark Station was opened on January 6, 2006).cite web|url=http://www.apta.com/services/intnatl/intfocus/skytrain2.cfm|title=Skytrain: The Smart Choice for Greater Vancouver|publisher=American Public Transportation Association|accessdate=2007-01-14] The Millennium Line has 13 stations that are not shared with the Expo Line. Unlike the Expo Line, the Millennium Line's stations were designed by British Columbia's top architects, resulting in dramatically different stations from those on the Expo Line. In 2004, Busby + Associates Architects, designers of the Brentwood Town Centre Station in Burnaby, were honoured for their work with a Governor General's Medal in Architecture. [cite web|url=http://www.raic.org/raic/honours_and_awards/awards/2004recipients/brentwood_e.htm|title=Governor General's Medal in Architecture|publisher=Royal Architectural Institute of Canada|accessdate=2006-12-02]

Expansion

Canada Line

The Canada Line (known in earlier planning stages as the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver (RAV) Line) is scheduled for completion in November 2009, in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics. It is being built by InTransitBC, a consortium headed by SNC-Lavalin on a $1.9 billion contract. [cite web|publisher=Sea to Sky Geotechnique 2006|url=http://www.seatoskygeo.ca/english/tours.php|title=Tours|accessdate=2007-02-18] It will design, finance, build, operate, and maintain the line in a Public Private Partnership Project (P3 or PPP). [cite web|url=http://www.canadaline.ca/aboutUs.asp|title=About Us|publisher=InTransitBC|accessdate=2006-12-17] It was announced on November 25, 2005 that the new line would be called the Canada Line as a funding condition from the Federal Government. [cite press release|url=http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2005/05-h264e.htm|title=Canada Line launched as partners unveil vehicle|date=2005-11-25|accessdate=2006-12-17]

The fully-automated Canada Line will use trains with conventional motors rather than Bombardier's proprietary linear induction technology, as used on the Expo and Millennium lines. This was largely a consequence of the public-private partnership format (a condition of BC government funding), which selected the proposal by SNC-Lavalin/Serco over that of the RAVxpress (Bombardier) consortium. It will use the same fare system as the rest of the transit system managed by TransLink. The line will run from Waterfront Station to Richmond-Brighouse Station, with a branch serving Vancouver International Airport, with 16 new stations: nine in Vancouver, four on Lulu Island, and three on Sea Island. [cite web|title=Overview and Route Map|url=http://www.canadaline.ca/aboutOverview.asp|publisher=InTransitBC|accessdate=2006-12-17]

Evergreen Line

The Evergreen Line (previously known the PMC Line (Port Moody-Coquitlam) or Northeast Sector Line) is a Phase II segment of the Millennium Line. It was originally scheduled to be completed in 2009, but was delayed to 2014 because of budget concerns. [cite web|title=The Buzzer|date=2006-08-04|publisher=TransLink|url=http://www.translink.bc.ca/files/buzzer/2006/Buzzer_Aug4.pdf|accessdate=2006-12-15|format=PDF] The line will connect Lougheed Town Centre Station on the Millennium Line in Burnaby to Coquitlam City Centre. As the line was originally conceived of as Phase II of the SkyTrain Millennium Line, a third platform was built at Lougheed Town Centre station. A secondary round of planning resulted in a change in the technology to a light-rail tramway. The latest planning review resulted in an announcement on February 1, 2008 that the Provincial government's preferred system would be Automated Light Rail, or SkyTrain-like technology. The expected cost is $1.4 billion. [cite press release|url=http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/evergreen_line/|title=Provincial Government and TransLink releases the business case ALRT for the Evergreen Line |publisher=Ministry of Transportation|date=2008-02-01|accessdate=2008-02-01] The goal of this latest change is to boost projected ridership by adding capacity, speed and integrating the system with the Millennium line to reduce the number of times users need to change systems. Given the reference to integration, it is highly likely the Evergreen Line will be Bombardier's ALRT system due to the proprietary technology on the existing Millennium Line.

While the BC government's push for ALRT puts the current plan into question, as a tramway, the Evergreen Line would connect with the existing Millennium line, running from Lougheed Station elevated along the North and Clarke Roads, then through a tunnel under Burnaby Mountain, through Port Moody, and towards Coquitlam Centre where it would run at grade along the Canadian Pacific rail line. would connect with the Coquitlam West Coast Express commuter rail station. Elevated again, it would turn northward along Pinetree Way and end near Douglas College. [cite web| url= http://web.archive.org/web/20050807004516/http://www.translink.bc.ca/Plans_Projects/Coquitlam_Line/about_the_line.asp |title= About the Line |publisher= TransLink |accessdate= 2006-12-16]

As SkyTrain-like or SkyTrain technology would be used, there is a possibility that the Evergreen Line would be running with the Millennium Line, similar to the current Expo Line and Millennium Line. For instance, trains from Douglas College would go to Lougheed Town Centre via Evergreen Line and then continue westbound on the Millennium Line to its terminus.

UBC Line/Millennium Line extension

Early proposals planned to extend the SkyTrain along the Broadway corridor, but stopping short of UBC because of the cost, estimated at approximately $700 million (1999). [cite web|url=http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/rto/millennium_extension.htm|title=Rapid Transit Office Millennium Line Extension|publisher=City of Vancouver|accessdate=2006-12-15] However, the Provincal Transit Plan, released in February 2008, includes funding for the entire Broadway corridor to UBC. [cite news|url=http://www.vancourier.com/issues04/064204/news/064204nn4.html|work=Vancouver Courier|last=Carrigg|forst=David|title=NDP's Millennium Line ends with irony|date=2004-08-05|accessdate=2007-06-14] The line would replace the region's busiest bus routes where over 100,000 trips are already made on a daily basis. The line would also include an interchange with the Canada line at Cambie street. The new line is estimated to cost $2.8 billion and to be completed by 2020.cite web|url=http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/Transit_Plan/Provincial_Transit_Plan_LR.pdf|title=Provincal Transit Plan Brochure|accessdate=2008-01-17]

Statements by government suggest that the UBC line will be an extension of the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark station. This scenario could mean that commuters from Coquitlam to UBC would not need to change trains at all during their commute as Evergreen Line trains would continue on to UBC from Lougheed. And, commuters from the Evergreen and Millennium Lines east of Vancouver would have a secondary route to downtown by changing to the Canada Line instead of the Expo Line.

Expo Line extension/expansion

The recent Provincial Transit Plan included a six-kilometre extension of the Expo line from King George Station in Surrey east to Guildford, then along 152 Street to the Fraser Highway and southeast as far as 168 Street.Nagel, Jeff (January 16, 2008) [http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/surreyleader/news/More_SkyTrains_for_Surrey.html "More SkyTrains for Surrey"] . Surrey North Delta Leader. Retrieved on: January 25, 2008.] It also included the lengthening of all Expo Line station platforms. Current platforms can fit 6-car Mark I trains and 4-car Mark II trains. The extended platforms will accommodate 8-car Mark I trains and 6-car Mark II trains, increasing the Expo Line's capacity. The total cost is expected to be $3.1 billion. The Expo SkyTrain line will be further extended along the Fraser Highway to Langley Centre in Langley, by 2030.

kyTrain upgrades

The Provincial Transit Plan outlines several SkyTrain system upgrades. The plan will eliminate the Proof-of-Payment system in favour of a gated-ticket system. According to Kevin Falcon, the gated-ticket system would be done by a private company and completed by 2010.

Fares

Greater Vancouver is divided into three zones with fares varying depending on how many zone boundaries are crossed during one trip. Fares may be purchased using cash, debit cards or credit cards at the mezzanine level of each station from self-serve ticket vending machines. There are a variety of transit passes available, such as a pre-paid FareSaver ticket, daily DayPass, monthly FareCard, annual EmployerPass, post-secondary student U-Pass, and other specialized passes. CNIB identification cards are accepted without the need to be read by the fare box. One-time fares are valid for 90 minutes on any mode of transportation with any number of transfers, including all SkyTrain, bus and SeaBus routes. Concession fares are available for children (6–13), secondary school students, and the elderly. [cite web|title=Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Transit Tariff| date=2005-01-01| publisher=TransLink|url=http://translink.bc.ca/files/board_files/meet_agenda_min/2004/12_08_04/3.12_Attachment_2.pdf|accessdate=2007-06-17]

SkyTrain's fare system is a proof-of-payment system; there are no turnstiles at the entrances to train platforms. Fares are enforced by random sweeps - usually by Police but occasionally SkyTrain attendants or Transit Security - through trains and stations, or at special events such as after BC Lions or Vancouver Canucks games. TransLink estimates it loses $4 million (5% of its revenue) annually from fare evasion on the SkyTrain. [cite paper|author=Translink|title=Canada Line Controlled Access, Safety & Security and Fare Evasion|date=2005-12-01|url = http://www.translink.bc.ca/files/board_files/meet_agenda_min/2005/12_07_05/Canada_Line_Controlled_Access_Attachment_A.pdf |format=pdf|accessdate=2007-06-18|page=8] The fine for failure to show proof of payment, or fare evasion, ticket reselling or other scams, is $173. [cite news|date=2006-08-09|title='Helping hands' part of SkyTrain scam|url=http://www.vancourier.com/issues06/082106/news/082106nn3.html|last=Thomas|first=Sandra|work=Vancouver Courier|accessdate=2007-02-24] [cite web|date=2007-03-02|title=The Buzzer|format=PDF| url=http://translink.bc.ca/files/buzzer/2007/Buzzer_Mar2.pdf|accessdate=2007-03-04] Installing turnstiles to prevent fare evasion has been considered, but rejected due to the expense of implementing, maintaining, and enforcing them which would exceed the losses prevented.cite news|work=The Province|publisher=CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc|url=http://www.canada.com/cityguides/vancouver/features/transportation/story.html?id=53003bd7-2626-4c4b-a9ce-c68076557682|title=Riding without paying will cost $173|date=2005-03-20|accessdate=2006-12-14] In spite of this, TransLink directors are considering turnstiles at new Canada Line stations. [cite news|work=Richmond News|url=http://www.richmond-news.com/issues05/072205/news/072205nn5.html|title=Beating boosts call for transit turnstiles|last=Bennett|first=Nelson|accessdate=2006-12-25]

The cost of operating the SkyTrain system in 2005, with an estimated 66,292,000 boarded passengers, was $73,381,000.cite paper |title= TransLink Annual Report 2005|author=Translink| url=http://www.translink.bc.ca/files/pdf/2005AnnualReport.pdf|format=PDF|pages=12, 22, 38, 45|accessdate=2007-06-17] To cover this, TransLink draws mostly from two revenue sources: transit fare($285,520,000 in 2005) and tax ($254,628,000 from fuel taxes and $216,824,000 from property taxes in 2005), though it must also pay for bus service, certain roads and bridges, and other infrastructure and services. The capital costs of building the system are shared with other government agencies. For example, the cost of building the Canada Line is being shared between TransLink ($335,000,000 or 22%), the federal government (29%), the province (28%), the airport authority (19%), and the City of Vancouver (2%). [cite paper |title= Working: Annual Report 2006 |author=Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc.| url=http://www.canadaline.ca/files/uploads/docs/doc796.pdf|format=PDF|pages=33|accessdate=2007-06-17] While TransLink has run surpluses for operating costs since 2001, [cite paper |title= TransLink Annual Report 2003|author=Translink| url=http://www.translink.bc.ca/files/pdf/TL_AR_2003.pdf|format=PDF|pages=22|accessdate=2007-06-17] to cover these capital costs it incurs debt. As a whole, TransLink has $1.1 billion in long term debt, as of 2006, of which $508 million was downloaded from the province during the 1999 transfer of responsibility for the SkyTrain. [cite paper|title= Debt Statistics 1998/99 |author=Ministry of Finance and Corporate Relations|publisher=British Columbia| url=http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/debtmgmt/debtstat98-99.pdf|format=PDF|date=1999-08-31|page=5|accessdate=2007-06-17] As the province retained ownership of the causeway, bridge, and certain services, it retained a portion of SkyTrain's debt as well.

ecurity

Law enforcement services are provided by the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service, formerly Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service (GVTAPS). They replaced the old TransLink Special Provincial Constables, who had limited authority. On December 4, 2005, GVTAPS officers became the first and only transit police force in Canada with full police powers and carry firearms. They may arrest people for outstanding warrants, enforce drug laws, and enforce the criminal code beyond TransLink property, as well as deal with offences that begin off TransLink property and make their way onto it. They issue tickets for fare evasion and other infractions on SkyTrain, buses, SeaBus, and West Coast Express. [cite news|title=Vancouver transit police begin packing guns|work=CBC News|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2005/12/05/vancouver-transit-051205.html|date=2005-12-05|accessdate=2006-12-25] Transit Security also patrol the Skytrain but concentrate their efforts mostly on the bus system.

SkyTrain attendants provide customer service, first aid, and troubleshoot train and station operations, as well as perform fare inspections alongside the police force. [cite web|title=Common Questions|publisher=Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service|url=http://www.gvtaps.bc.ca/common_qs/default.htm|accessdate=2006-12-15] Public controversy was sparked in March 2005 when it was announced that transit police would carry guns. Solicitor General John Les however, defended the move saying that it was necessary to enhance SkyTrain security. [cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2005/12/05/bc_transit-cops-guns20051205.html|work=CBC News|date=2005-12-05|title=SkyTrain gets armed transit cops|accessdate=2007-01-20] Some critics, such as the Bus Riders Union claim that the police frighten youth and ethnic minorities during fare checks, though the union has not tracked any statistics. [cite news|work=The Westender|page=11|title=SkyTrain security increase questioned|date=2006-06-15]

Over the years, violence and other criminal activities has been a major concern, but TransLink insists the system is safe. [cite news|url=http://www.vancourier.com/issues02/095102/news/095102nn5.html|work=Vancouver Courier|last=Carrigg|first=David|title=SkyTrain says system safe despite latest attack|date=2004-08-05|accessdate=2007-01-05] [cite news|work=CBC News|title=Murder charge laid after teen killed at B.C. SkyTrain stop|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2005/07/04/kytrain-attack050704.html|date=2005-07-04|accessdate=2007-01-05] Inspector Kash Heed of the Vancouver Police Department says that little crime takes place in the stations themselves. However, criminal activity becomes more visible convert|400|-|700|m|sigfig=1 outside them. [cite news|work=VancouverCourier|last=Howell|first=Mike|date=2005-08-28|url=http://www.vancourier.com/issues05/084205/news/084205nn8.html|title=Cyclist warns of crime increase]

Stations are monitored with closed circuit television cameras, allowing SkyTrain operators to monitor any criminal activity. Designated wait areas have enhanced lighting, waiting benches, and emergency telephones. Trains have yellow strips above each window which, when pressed, silently alerts operators of a security hazard. On-board speaker phones provide two way communication with passengers and control operators. [cite web|title=Safety and Security on SkyTrain|url=http://www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/SkyTrain/SkyTrain_Safety.asp|publisher=TransLink|accessdate=2006-12-26]

Recently, the entire surveillance system was upgraded from analog 2-hour tape recording to digital technology, which allows police to retrieve previous footage for up to 7 days. [cite news|title=SkyTrain crime fear 'overblown'|work=The News, Maple Ridge|page=17|date=2007-01-13]

Public reaction

According to BC Transit's document "SkyTrain: A catalyst for development", more than $5 billion dollars of private money had been invested within a 10–15 minute walking distance of the SkyTrain and SeaBus. The report claimed that the two modes of transportation were the driving force of the investment, though it did not disaggregate the general growth in that area.cite web|title=Vancouver BC SkyTrain|publisher=City of Seattle|url=http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/SAP/TOD_Case_Studies/Vancouver_Skytrain.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-02-23] When Broadway Station opened in 1985, it caused disruption to business south of the station. In an effort to repair the damage done, the Hub was created when the adjacent Commercial Drive Station opened. "The Hub" is a strip of retail businesses situated within Commercial Drive Station where Expo Line passengers transfer to the Millennium Line and vice versa. Close to 50,000 people pass through the intersection every business day. [cite news|work=The Vancouver Sun|title=A tale of two stations|date=2003-03-01|page=H7|last=Rossiter|first=Sean]

Larry Ward, former president and CEO of British Columbia Rapid Transit Corporation told "Goliath" that the public reaction of the Millennium Line was positive; customers enjoy the spaciousness of the Mark II cars, the brighter station colours, and the general ambiance. [cite news|last=Nickerson|first=Kathryn|url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-2679094_ITM|title=Vancouve's SkyTrain has new extension: the 20 km Millennium Line was completed in an unprecedented 33 months-10 weeks ahead of schedule and $50 million under budget.|work=Thompson-Gale Goliath|date=2003-04-01|format=fee required|accessdate=2007-01-02] The SkyTrain has had a significant impact on the development of areas in which stations are located for several reasons, including the fact residents in the growing suburbs were given an efficient alternative to the Trans-Canada highway for commuting to and from Vancouver. Since SkyTrain began, the overall population of the area rose from 400,000 to 1.3 million people. [cite book|last=Newman|first=Peter W. G|coauthors=Jeffrey R. Kenworthy, Dr Peter Newman|title=Sustainability and Cities|isbn=1559636602|page=221] According to Graham R. Crampton's research paper, the SkyTrain, and San Diego trolley systems were among the most successful in the three arenas:
#Stimulation of growth in city centres;
#Stimulation of growth in declining areas; and
#Change in the pattern of urban developmentVancouver was particularly impressive, according to E. Babalik's paper: [cite paper|author=Graham Crampton|url=http://www.ersa.org/ersaconfs/ersa03/cdrom/papers/295.pdf|format=PDF|title=Economic Development Impacts of Urban Rail Transport]

Controversy

A survey in 1998 conducted by Canadian Facts for the Light Rapid Transit showed that:
*61% of residents in Greater Vancouver were "more likely" to support the construction of SkyTrain rather than ground-level LRT;
*71% said that "even though SkyTrain is more expensive to build, it is better than ground LRT";
*69% felt that SkyTrain would have the largest impact on traffic reduction followed by either transit links (54%) rapid buses/dedicated lanes such as the ones used for the B-Line bus routes (40%) and less expensive LRT lines (32%);
*51% said the terminus should have been at UBC, followed by Granville Street (24%) and Broadway/Commercial Station (17%);
*63% of respondents said that SkyTrain is the best mode of transportation followed by the bus system (24%), the West Coast Express (3%) and the Seabus (1%);The survey was released to the public eight days after former premier Glen Clark stated his preference was SkyTrain. [cite news|title=SkyTrain gets public's vote: Despite higher costs, residents prepared to pay; [Final Edition] |work=The Province|date=1998-06-14|page=A.29|] Deming Smith of the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation believed that the use of Bombardier's technology was politically charged; that construction workers would vote for Glen Clark's party, the New Democratic Party of British Columbia, for providing them with employment. [cite news|date=2001-02-01|publisher=CBC News|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2001/02/01/bc_010201skytrainam.html|title=SkyTrain critics: 'We told you so'|accessdate=2006-03-09]

The system has had debt problems in 1998. The debt servicing of SkyTrain was three and a half times the actual operating budget whereas the debt servicing of buses was only one-seventh the operating budget. [cite web|author=BC Legislative Assembly|url=http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/36th3rd/h0630AM.HTM|date=1998-06-30|title=Debates of the Legislative Assembly|accessdate=2007-03-09] During the construction of the Surrey extension, the Vancouver Regional Transit Commission, a division of BC Transit was $30 million in debt. The provincial government agreed to cover the debt in 1991 for three years. [cite news|title=City unloads $30-million SkyTrain debt; [1* Edition] |date=1991-10-05|work=The Vancouver Sun|last=Lee|first=Jeff|page=A4]

In May 2001, protesters halted construction of the Millennium Line in an attempt to save the trees and vegetation within the Grandview Cut. TransLink scrapped the original plan of building a tunnel in favour of a guideway. [cite news|work=The Province|title=Don't cut Grandview Cut'; [Final Edition] |last=Stowe|first=Barbra|date=2001-05-17|page=A.45] The bridge over the Cut was consequently out of service from April to December 2001. It disrupted bus service and several local businesses, including Canada Post, a hairdressing school and a restaurant, which experienced a $5000 per month loss of revenue. The owner appealed to city hall, the Millennium Line Rapid Transit Project Office for compensation, and complained to both then Premier Ujjal Dosanjh and deputy premier Joy MacPhail. Dosanjh sent her a polite, pre-election letter which said he would pass her concerns on to Economic Development Minister Mike Farnworth. MacPhail declined her pleas for compensation and said the Nanaimo Bridge construction project was a "necessary evil". [cite news|last=Lee|first=Jeff|work=The Vancouver Sun|title=Bridge delays costly for restaurateur: The Nanaimo Bridge over Grandview Cut was to have re-opened in December; [Final Edition] |date=2001-04-20|page=B.1.FRO|]

Construction of the Canada Line raised concerns over the disruption of local business near Yaletown, Cambie Street, and No. 3 Road in Richmond. InTransitBC responded by launching an advertising campaign promoting local business on the line. [cite press release|title=Business is open, are you?|publisher=InTransitBC|url=http://www.canadaline.ca/files/docs/BusinessIsOpenReleaseMarch202006.pdf|format=PDF|date=2006-03-20|accessdate=2007-03-09] Residents of Cambie Street opposed the building of the Canada Line on their street and advocated for the line to be built down the Arbutus Corridor instead, which is zoned for rail transit. Officials say that Cambie is preferred because the line is shorter, and covers more important and trafficked destinations that can generate more revenue, like Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver City Hall, Oakridge Centre, and Langara College. [cite news|last=Krangle|first=Karenn|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=2003-03-04|title=Translink seeks public input on rapid Richmond route; [Final Edition] |page=B.2]

Design

The SkyTrain uses Alcatel's SelTrac signalling technology to run trains automatically. [cite web|title=Vancouver SkyTrain Light Rail network|url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/vancouver/|publisher=Railway Technology|accessdate=2007-02-23] Its use has never led to accidents. The two lines follow a common route between Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver and Columbia Station in New Westminster, serving the cities of Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster. From Columbia, Expo Line trains continue through Surrey to King George Station; Millennium Line trains loop back through New Westminster, Burnaby, and Vancouver to VCC-Clark Station. Although most of the system is elevated, SkyTrain runs at or below grade through downtown Vancouver, and for short stretches in Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster. The SkyTrain was one of the first fully automated rapid-transit systems in the world, and remains the longest today.cite web|title=SkyTrain|publisher=TransLink|url=http://translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/SkyTrain|accessdate=2006-12-16]

All stations have elevators. On September 22, 2006, a new entrance to Granville Station was opened, making this previously inaccessible station accessible for disabled patrons, who previously had to board trains at either the Burrard or Stadium-Chinatown stations. [cite web|url=http://translink.bc.ca/files/buzzer/2006/Buzzer_Sept29.pdf|title=The Buzzer|date=2006-09-29|format=PDF|publisher=TransLink|accessdate=2006-12-26]

SkyTrain uses the world's longest bridge dedicated to transit services. The Skybridge crosses the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey. It is a 616 m (2,021 ft) long cable-stayed bridge, [cite web|title=Vancouver SkyTrain — a proven success story|format=PDF|url=http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr16/pdf/f44_vancouver.pdf|publisher=Japan railways and transport review|accessdate=2007-01-28] with 123 m (404 ft) tall towers.

TransLink upgraded all Expo Line platform station edges to match those on the Millennium Line shortly after it was completed. The new, wider edges are brighter and have been tiled in hopes of providing a safer environment for the visually impaired. [cite news|last=Thomas|first=Sandra|url=http://www.vancourier.com/issues02/113102/news/113102nn9.html|title=TransLink putting in tactile strips on Expo Line to help visually impaired|work=The Vancouver Courier|date=2005-08-05|accessdate=2006-12-23]

Rolling stock

The fleet is made up of 210 cars (150 MK I and 60 MK II): the original 114 MK I cars from 1984–1986, which have run an average of more than 3.2 million kilometres apiece; 16 MK I cars from 1991 for the Scott Road extension; 20 MK I cars from 1994 for the King George extension; 60 MK II cars from 2002 for the Millennium Line and ridership growth on the Expo Line. [cite web|title=Livable Regional Strategic Plan 2002 Report|format=PDF|url=http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/growth/lrsp/2002Report.pdf|publisher=Greater Vancouver Regional District|accessdate=2007-06-10]

Both MK I and MK II cars are wheelchair-accessible vehicles, having space for wheelchairs. However three stations have accessibility issues because of nearby construction: Columbia, Scott Road, and Sapperton stations. Bicycles are also permitted on board during non-peak hours in both directions, and opposite the peak direction during peak hours.

SkyTrain cars reach speeds of 90 km/h (56 mph). [cite web|title=Safety and Security on SkyTrain|publisher=The British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd|url=http://www.skytrain.info/Safety_Security.htm|accessdate=2006-12-08] When including wait times at stops, the end-to-end average speed is 45 km/h (28 mph), three times faster than a bus and almost twice as fast as a B-Line express bus. [cite web|url=http://www.translink.bc.ca/files/pdf/plan_proj/area_plans/burnaby-summary-report.pdf|title=Burnaby/New Westminster Area Transit Plan Summary Report|format=PDF|accessdate=2006-12-13]

Mark I Trains. MK I vehicles are composed of mated pairs normally run as 4-car trains, but can be run in 2, 4 or 6-car configuration. The maximum based on station size is a six car configuration, totaling 72 metres. SkyTrain currently owns 150 Mark I trains. One can easily recognize these trains as they have side facing seats, feature a red/white/blue interior, and have two doors per car.

The Mark I ICTS cars which arrived for the opening of the Expo line in 1985 each featured two end-doors; one door on both the front and back of each car. The backside of each car had sections painted in black.

In 1991, additional Mark I ICTS cars were purchased. These slightly newer cars featured only one end door on the backside of each car, and the backside was not coloured black. In the front of each car, there were no end doors; instead, the front window was slightly enlarged and was equipped with a windshield wiper.

Mark II Trains

When the Millennium Line was built, TransLink ordered newer generation Mark II trains from Bombardier Transportation. Similar trains are used in Kuala Lumpur's Putra LRT, New York's JFK AirTrain and Beijing's new Airport People Mover. These trains are usually seen in a two car and four car configuration. Each pair of cars (either two old cars or one articulated set of two new cars) is permanently joined together in a two-car trainset, or 'married pair'. One can easily recognize these trains as they have a streamlined front and rear, articulated joint, white/grey/blue interior, and have three doors per car.

The MKII cars from 2002 were manufactured by Bombardier in a $15 million Burnaby factory. [cite news|title=Questions about Skytrain $|work=CBC News|date=2000-05-25|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/05/25/bc_bombardier000524.html|accessdate=2007-02-03] In November, 2006, Bombardier won a contract to supply 34 ART MKII cars with a bid of $113 million. The cars are expected to be in service in the first half of 2009 but will not be locally assembled, they will be manufactured and assembled in Sahagun, Mexico, and Thunder Bay, Ontario. [cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2006/11/23/bombardier.html|date=2006-11-23|work=CBC News|title=Bombardier lands $113M deal with Vancouver SkyTrain|accessdate=2006-12-15] An additional 14 ART MKII cars have been ordered for delivery in early 2010. Canada Line will be using ROTEM (a unit of Hyundai) EMU cars when it opens in the same year.

ee also

*List of rapid transit systems

References

External links

* [http://www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/Skytrain TransLink] — The transit authority that owns and operates SkyTrain
* [http://www.translink.bc.ca/Plans_Projects/Coquitlam_Line/default.asp Evergreen Line] — TransLink's page for the proposed Coquitlam light railway connection
* [http://www.canadaline.ca/ Canada Line] — Official website
* [http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&client=firefox-a&hl=en&msa=0&t=h&om=1&msid=113059281235500405957.00000112b4cf2b563dbbd&ll=49.239121,-122.980957&spn=0.163634,0.473785&z=11 Google map of SkyTrain Lines Vancouver] — Map of Vancouver SkyTrain via Google Maps
* [http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/rto/millennium_extension.htm Millennium Line Extension] — Preliminary study by the city of Vancouver
* [http://www.gvtaps.bc.ca/index.htm Translink Police] - Official Website of South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service
* [http://www.iskytrain.com Online resource to environmentally friendly transportation in Vancouver] — Connecting Vancouver Through Green Technology