Millennium Line, Burnaby
The Skytrain:
In the first half of the 20th Century, Vancouver had an
extensive & efficient rapid transit system known as the "interurban". This was
dismantled in the 1950's as the automobile came into its own. Big mistake. It
took almost another 40 years for Vancouver to get back on track with transit. Vancouver now has one of the most modern & extensive rapid transit
systems in the world for a city of its size. With a projected population of over
3 million by 2020, it's none too soon. Unfortunately, none of the 3 lines go close to many of the standard toruist attractions, but they do go close to Chinatown, Gastown, New Westminister Quay, Lonsdale Quay, Granville island & Queen Elizabeth Gardens.
The Skytrain Rapid Transit
System initally opened with one line in 1986 to coincide with Expo 86 (The Vancouver World's
Fair). Skytraint connects downtown with the Eastern suburbs of Burnaby, New Westminster & Surrey plus the southern Suburbs of South Vancouver, Richmond as well as Vancouver International Airport. The 2 East-West lines were Canadian designed
& built by transportation & Aerospace giant, Bombardier, the North-South Canada line was bulit by SNC Lavelin. It is a totally automated transit system. There are no
drivers, and even though it is a light rail system, it supposedly
has the same capacity as a conventional heavy rail system. This
is because computerization allows trains to run much more
frequently, than on a conventional system. Unlike the initial BART
experience in San Francisco, the software seems to work quite
well, but then again, the technology had another 10 years to
develop. The system has been in operation for over 20 years with minimal breakdowns. Vancouver
& Kuala Lumpur currently have the largest versions of the Skytrain system,
Vancouver's being the most extensive. It has the longest elevated sections of any light rail
system in the world, although about 1/3 of it is underground. There are other existing systems in Detroit and
Scarborough, Ontario, on a smaller scale, and one is planned for New York. The system is much faster (90 Km/h or 50 Mph)
than conventional Light Rail Systems. It is efficient and has
proven safe, except for the odd suicide, and accidental death. Unfortunately for local
taxpayers, it is also expensive to build, but despite that, I personally think
it was a good decision to go with this technology. The trains are powered
by Linear Induction Motors, which means they are effectively
propelled by magnetism. 2 lines are elevated for most of their
routes with subway sections downtown. The 3rd North-South line is subway for most of its route. This is the one visitors are mosty likelyy to use first, as it connects to the Airport. It is also the largest & most modern of the 3 lines.
If you have always had a desire to be a train driver, the Skytrain is your
chance to fulfill your fantasy. Since there are no drivers, you can sit in the
seat that would normally be occupied by one. This is especially true on the new
type trains. If you board the system in midday, at one of the terminal points
(King George, Waterfront or Commercial), chances are you can grab this seat, or
boot some kid out of it. I actually had to race a kid to this seat to get one of
pictures depicted below. (At least he didn't start crying).
The decision to go with this technology was the decision of the Social Credit
Government of the day. It was strongly criticized by the opposition NDP at the
time, as too expensive. The NDP was in power when the decision on the Millennium
Line was made. The opposition Liberals (Social Credit reborn under a different
name) then criticized it as too expensive and promply planned the 3rd line as soon as they gained power themselves. So goes BC Politics. In my opinion, the
longer you wait, the more expensive it is, so you might as well bite the bullet
and go for it. It's the price we pay for being able to get around & keeping the
air breathable at the same time.
Click on the map to go to TransLink's Web Site where
there is an interactive version of it, showing bus connections at each station.
Expo Line: (East West Line - South of the city)
Expo Line, Surrey
The 20 station "Expo" Line runs from Downtown through East
Vancouver, Burnaby-Metrotown, New Westminster and then over the
Fraser River to the Eastern suburb of Surrey. The name refers to the fact that
it was opened to coincide with Expo 86. It was the first line constructed. The terminal stations for this line are
"Waterfront", located under Canada Place (the building with the sails on the
waterfront), and "King George", located at King George Highway & 100th
Ave in the eastern suburb of Surrey. The line was completed in 1986, as far as
New Westminster, the extension into Surrey across the Fraser River was completed
about 5 years later. The Expo line services the downtown core and is underground
through that area. The 15 station ( a couple are not
yet built) "Millennium Line" runs
from New Westminster to Lougheed Mall in Burnaby and then west
along Lougheed Highway and Broadway to join the existing line at
Broadway/Commercial
Station. This configures much of the system in a big loop. The two transfer
stations are "Columbia" & "Broadway-Commercial". You have to be careful to board
the correct train if you are traveling eastbound on the Expo line. At Columbia
station, half the trains continue on that line into Surrey, the other half change
over to the Millennium line & head back towards downtown Vancouver via that route.
Millennium Line: (East West Line North of the City)
Approaching Lougheed Station - Millennium Line
The 15 station "Millennium Line" was completed in September 2002.
The name derives from the fact that it was scheduled to be in operation for the
year 2001 (the real millennium), but was slightly delayed. The system was
originally planned as an "at-grade" light rail line, but more sensible heads
prevailed, and the Skytrain technology was chosen for this route, rather than
making the Vancouver Transit system a mishmash of different technologies. This line is
generally more scenic than the Expo line. Unlike the Expo line, every station
was designed by a different architect. They range from the simplistic to the
futuristic. The 2 most impressive stations, in my opinion, are "Brentwood" , and "Lougheed"
(above), which has an Oriental appearance (that was not the
intent). The terminal stations for the line are "Columbia" in New
Westminster where it merges with the Expo line. Every second train running along
the Expo line transfers to the Millennium line at this station. When you board a
train eastbound on the Expo Line, you have to make sure you get on the right one,
depending on whether you intend to continue into Surrey or take the Millennium
line. The other terminal Station is "Commercial Drive" which is located below
the "Broadway" Station on the Expo Line. Another station is under
construction to the West to serve a College Campus & will open in late 2005. Trains do not transfer from one line to
the other at the connection point. The Millennium line will eventually continue
due west towards the University of British Columbia (many years from now),
although an earlier expansion to meet up with the Canada line a couple of miles
west at Cambie is very likely. The
line has one underground section in New Westminster, but is above ground for
most of its route.
Canada Line: (North South Line/ Airport):
Click picture for Web Site
The Canada Line is the newest rapid transit line. It opened mid August 2009.
This line was built by SNC/Lavelin rather than
Bombardier, & although it is also an automated system, the trains are
different from those on the current 2 lines. They are larger than the trains on the other 2 lines
and look like the picture above. The line runs under Cambie
street to the southern suburb of Richmond with a spur line to Vancouver
International Airport. Unlike the 2 present lines, most of this line is underground, so
as not to disturb the wealthy neighbourhoods it passes through. It is
elevated south of 63rd Ave & through Richmond. It joins the current
Expo line at Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver, and will eventually hook up
with the Millennium Line at Broadway & Cambie, once that line is expanded east. Unlike the Millennium
line, no transfers are required to get downtown. Travel time from the
airport is about 25 minutes. This line consists of 16 stations with a
future expansion to 19. This line provides a station to station link between the airport and the
cruise ship terminal. Sothbound you need to choose either an Airport train or a richmond train. The line splits at Bridgeport station just after crossing the Fraser River. Trains to the Airport cost a couple of dollars more.
Evergreen Line: (North West Line) 2014
This 10 station, 11 km line is
scheduled for completion in 2014. It will run from the current Lougheed Station
on the Millennium Line into the Northeast suburb of Coquitlam, via Port Moody.
There it will connect with the West Coast Express commuter train (see below). A
fairly large section of this line will run underground due to geographic
reasons. This will be a Skytrain type system, elevated in some sections & at grade in others.
General Info:
There are 2 types of rolling stock in service on
the current lines, the older Mark 1 cars new
Mark 2 cars pictured at the top of this page. Trains on the Millennium line run about half
as frequently as those on the Expo line. This will likely change as more
development takes place along that line. Travel time along the Expo line from
one end to the other is about 35 Minutes. Travel time along the Millennium Line
from one end to the other is about 25 minutes. When completed, the
system will have about 100 km of track and about 60 to 75
stations. More info on the Skytrain
expansion and the system in general can be found at Rapid
Transit BC
The Skytrain is a good cheap
way to get a look at Vancouver, as it is elevated throughout much
of its route. The Millennium line is the most scenic of the two lines. It can be crowded in rush hours, however. Tickets
are purchased at machines in the stations (Bills accepted) or you
can use your bus ticket. Be careful to purchase a ticket for
the correct zone. Ticket purchases are on
the honour system, but there are spot checks and heavy fines for
cheaters. Tourists may be able to plead ignorance and get away
with it, if they are obviously confused.
Some stations on the system have experienced problems with drug dealers & petty criminals
in the past. These individuals can use the system as a
highway, and the fact that it is driverless and on an honour
system, makes their endeavours much easier. There is a Skytrain
Police force, but they have no power other than to kick people
out of stations, their main function is to catch fare cheaters, and station
security. The situation has
improved considerably over the last couple of years, especially in the New
Westminster Stations, where drug dealers were a problem. I ride it daily and
have only witnessed a few minor incidents. There is an increased police presence
around some of the more troublesome stations, such as Surrey Central. I don't
think any tourist need feel concerned about using the system, just use the same
common sense you would normally use when in crowds anywhere.
I ride the system (both lines) every day, going to and from work, and I have
never had any problems or felt unsafe doing so.
A Considerable amount of information on the system, including
pictures & technical information can be found at Railway
Technology - Vancouver Sky Train Light Rail Network - British Columbia, Canada
.
Commuter Trains:
Vancouver has one Commuter
Train, the West Coast Express. This runs in rush hours only, from
Waterfront Station, downtown, to Mission, BC, 100 km to the east.
It services the communities on the North side of the Fraser
River. You can transfer to and from the other modes of transit,
but will have to pay a surcharge. Check the Westcoast Express
links in the table below for the fare structure. If you decide to
ride this for an excursion, remember, that trains run in one
direction only, westbound in the morning rush and eastbound in
the afternoon.
Public Transit Links:
