New Mark V SkyTrains Roll Into Service
The new Mark V model SkyTrains officially entered service on the Expo Line today, which are the first of 47 new trains that aim to bring more space, comfort, and modern design to customers across Metro Vancouver.
New Mark V SkyTrains Roll Into Service
A total of 235 Mark V cars (47 trains), will be delivered by 2029 to serve both the Expo and Millennium Lines. The Mark V is built to support the incoming Broadway Subway and Surrey-Langley SkyTrain projects.
Originally purchased in December 2020, the addition of the Mark V fleet represents TransLink’s largest-ever order of SkyTrain cars. The Mark V proudly represents an all-Canadian collaboration. The new models are manufactured by Alstom in La Pocatière, Quebec, and then tested in Kingston, Ontario. The train cars are then delivered to Metro Vancouver on flatbed trucks across the Trans-Canada Highway, spanning a 4,600-kilometre cross-country trek.
Customers will immediately recognize this next-generation SkyTrain model due to its iconic blue livery and unique five-car length, adding 25% more capacity for customers than current trains.
Modern designs of the new Mark V:
- Wider aisles with more standing room, handrails and new leaning pads
- Spacious multi-use areas for bikes, luggage, strollers, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices
- Enhanced safety and accessibility with visual door closure and emergency braking indicators
- A mix of forward-facing and side seating for greater choice and flexibility
Unique to the Mark V is striking Indigenous artwork decorating the interior of the new cars on each of the windscreens. The artwork was created by acclaimed Indigenous artists Rain Pierre of q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie First Nation), Atheana Picha of qw̓ɑ:nƛ̓ə̓n̓ (Kwantlen First Nation), Brandon Gabriel of qw̓ɑ:nƛ̓ə̓n̓ (Kwantlen First Nation), Darryl Blyth of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Rose Williams of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).
TransLink is retiring roughly 150 Mark I cars, the first vehicles in the SkyTrain fleet which first hit the track in 1985.
TransLink is expecting a 20% increase in ridership on the Expo Line in the next 5 years, and a 50% bump on the Millennium Line during peak hours. The Mark V will help to address that growing ridership demand in the region.
“The SkyTrain is more than just transportation – it’s part of the identity of Metro Vancouver. The Mark V trains represent a bold new chapter, with more space, improved accessibility, and cutting-edge features that will enhance every ride. These trains are designed to meet the needs of a growing region and I’m excited to see them deliver a better experience for every customer.”
– Kevin Quinn, CEO, TransLink
This project was approved by the Mayors’ Council as part of its 10-Year Vision, and is funded in part through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), in partnership with the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and TransLink.
Related:
