New colours, more features: next SkyTrain generation

May 06, 2009

The new colour scheme and the electronic destination sign are the first things you’ll notice about the SkyTrain Mark II 1300 and 1400 Series, but they’re more than just another pretty railcar.

Training began on Monday for SkyTrain Attendants (STAs), learning the technical operations of the new vehicles, and the first of the cars will be in service soon.  A total of 48 are being delivered by Bombardier Transportation through early next year at a total project cost of $193 million.  Nearly half of the funding for the project – which includes a major expansion of the Operations and Maintenance Centre in Burnaby – came from the Government of Canada, through its Public Transit Agreement and the Gas Tax Revenue Transfer Fund, and the Government of British Columbia, through the Public Transit Infrastructure Program and the Provincial Transit Plan.  The remaining funding – almost $100 million – came from TransLink.

The new SkyTrain cars will boost capacity by about 30 per cent.  As the new train cars are put into service, passengers will see more 4-car Mark II trains and eventually some 6-car Mark I’s.

"The new Mark II 1300 and 1400 Series are an important part of SkyTrain's commitment to consistently delivering customer friendly and efficient transit services that enhance community livability," says Doug Kelsey, CEO of BC Rapid Transit Company, which operates SkyTrain. "As part of the design process, we asked our passengers what kind of refinements they would like to see and I think they will be pleased with the results."

The new features include a re-designed seating arrangement to allow more room for people using wheelchairs, walkers, scooters or strollers. There are more stanchions to hold onto, a ceiling-mounted bar running down the centre as well as the latest in "anti-slip" flooring.  An electronic route map makes it easier for customers – particularly the hearing impaired – to know where they are while travelling on SkyTrain, and a visual "door closing" indicator supplements the familiar three-tone signal.  As well, four closed circuit TV cameras will assist in reviews of onboard operations and security incidents.
 
The first of the cars will go into revenue in late spring, and most, if not all, will be in service in by the 2010 Winter Olympics. 

New SkyTrain MkII