New SkyTrain trains, marking our company's debut, commence revenue service in Vancouver.
The Vancouver SkyTrain network is set for a significant upgrade with the introduction of the new Mark V trains, set to be delivered in 2024. These trains, which will be the largest on the SkyTrain network to date, have been designed, manufactured, and tested in Canada, specifically at facilities in Kingston, Ontario, La Pocatière, and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec.
The company, a global rail mobility manufacturer and the only one with production facilities in Canada, has been the main rolling stock supplier for the SkyTrain since its debut in 1985. In response to the growing demand for public transportation, TransLink has ordered a total of 235 Mark V cars, equivalent to 47 trains, to support expansions like the Broadway Subway and Surrey-Langley projects.
Each five-car Mark V train can carry 672 passengers, a 25% increase in capacity over the current four-car Mark III trains. The bright, open interiors feature new seating and standing configurations, interconnected cars for better passenger flow, and dedicated spaces for bicycles, wheelchairs, and prams. Digital displays provide real-time service and station information, while improved heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems ensure comfort for passengers.
Indigenous artwork has been incorporated into the interior design, and the trains operate fully driverless using established CBTC technology for efficient handling of high passenger flows. The Mark V trains aim to enhance comfort, capacity, and convenience for both daily commuters and tourists traveling to key destinations like downtown Vancouver, the airport, and cultural sites.
At peak production, 282 people were working directly on the Mark V project, with the company employing approximately 5,000 highly-skilled Canadians at its production facilities across the country. The entire fleet of 47 trains (235 cars) is expected to be delivered by 2029, with several already in commercial service as of mid-2025.
As the SkyTrain network's longest and highest capacity trains, the Mark V trains are set to revolutionise public transportation in Vancouver, providing a more comfortable, efficient, and sustainable commuting experience for all.
- The company, a global leader in rail mobility manufacturing, is the sole Canadian-based supplier of rolling stock for the Vancouver SkyTrain network.
- TransLink's order of 235 Mark V cars, equivalent to 47 trains, has been done to support expansion projects like the Broadway Subway and Surrey-Langley projects.
- With an increase in capacity of 25% over the current Mark III trains, each five-car Mark V train can carry 672 passengers, benefiting daily commuters and tourists alike.
- The finance industry and transportation sector are poised to see a transformation with the introduction of the Mark V trains, ensuring a more accessible, smart, and sustainable transportation system in Vancouver.
