VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The first new Alstom-built Mark V trainset for heavy-rail transit system SkyTrain entered service today (July 10, 2025), transit operator TransLink has announced.
The 47-trainset order was placed in December 2020 and represents the largest single rolling stock order for the SkyTrain system, which debuted in 1985 and now covers three lines and 54 stations on a 79.6-kilometer (49.6-mile) network.
“The Mark V trains represent a bold new chapter, with more space, improved accessibility, and cutting-edge features that will enhance every ride,” TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said in a press release. “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.”
New features of the equipment include wider aisles with more standing room, handrails, and new leaning pads; an area for bicycles, luggage, strollers, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices; a mix of forward- and side-facing seats; and enhanced safety features.
The equipment is built at Alstom’s plant in La Pocatière, Quebec, then tested in Kingston, Ontario, before being trucked to Vancouver. A total of 235 cars will be delivered by 2029 to help support upcoming expansion of the system.
“Alstom is proud to deliver ‘Made-in-Canada,’ best-in-class technology that enhances reliability, optimizes performance, supports TransLink’s long-term vision for a smarter, greener transit network ,and makes travelling by transit better and easier for the people of Vancouver,” Michael Keroullé, president of Alstom Americas, said in a press release.
These new automated light metro trains are the longest on the SkyTrain network to date.
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