NEW WESTMINSTER, British Columbia — The first set of next-generation railcars for the Vancouver-area SkyTrain system have begun testing in Ontario, transit agency TransLink has announced.
The 205 Mark V cars — to comprise 41 five-car trainsets are being manufactured by Alstom and are undergoing testing in Kingston, Ont. The fully articulated trainsets, being built under a $C723 million contract signed with what was then Bombardier Transportation in 2020, will be one car longer than current SkyTrain equipment, which has led to a C$78 million program to lengthen platforms at some stations, the website Daily Hive reports.
“This is an exciting and important step forward in launching the next generation of SkyTrain cars,” TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said in a press release. “The Mark V will make SkyTrain better and more convenient for our customers, with added amenities for people using mobility devices, strollers, and bicycles.”
The articulated design allows for open-gangway connections, making movement between cars easier and more accessible for those with mobility issues. Other features highlighted by TransLink include more space for bikes and luggage; digital interior information displays; and strip indicator lights at doors to warn when doors close, fault warnings are issued, or emergency brakes are activated. The new trainsets will allow replacement of Mark I cars dating to SkyTrain’s opening in 1985, as well as providing the equipment needed for the Broadway Extension of SkyTrain’s Millennium Line, expected in 2026.
The Daily Hive reports the trainset being testing in Ontario is expected to arrive in British Columbia to begin further testing later this year, and could enter service next year. Delivery of the new equipment is expected to continue through 2027.
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