New Mark V trains enter service on Vancouver’s SkyTrain

The first of 47 new SkyTrain Mark V trains has begun operating on the Expo Line of Metro Vancouver in Canada.

By the end of 2025, several of these five-car trains will be running on the Expo Line and Millennium Line network, with a total of 235 cars (47 trains) due to be delivered by 2029. Delivery of the Mark V arrives at a crucial time, as over the next five years, regional transportation manager TransLink is expecting a 20 per cent increase in ridership on the Expo Line, and a 50 per cent rise on the Millennium Line during peak hours.

The Mark V will help to address that growing ridership demand in the region and is also being introduced to support the incoming Broadway Subway and Surrey-Langley SkyTrain projects. It differs from earlier SkyTrain models in that it has:

• 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.

These driverless light metros are the longest and highest capacity trains on the SkyTrain network to date. Each five-car Mark V train can carry 672 passengers, a 25% increase in capacity over the current four-car Mark III trains. Offering more comfort for passengers, the new cars feature improved interior designs, interconnected carriages, new seating and standing configuration, indigenous artwork, improved HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) and large digital displays showing station information.

The trains are designed, manufactured and tested at Alstom facilities in Kingston, Ontario, and La Pocatière and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, in Quebec. At peak production, 282 people were working directly on this project, not including the jobs and economic benefits created through our local supply chain.

Hitachi Rail’s SelTrac™ Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology was also developed in Canada and provides the operational backbone of the SkyTrain network. The technology installed on the new train communicates with the existing signalling system, providing real-time information on train locations that allows trains to run safely, increase service reliability and provide improved passenger experience.

The 40-year relationship between TransLink and Hitachi Rail that began with the original Expo line opening in 1986, as one of the world’s first driverless systems running on Hitachi Rail technology. The technology has evolved with the SkyTrain system expansions. The SelTrac™ CBTC system also provides automatic train control for complex transit systems around the world, including in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Dubai, and New York.

Translink CEO Kevin Quinn said: “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 am excited to see them deliver a better experience for every customer,”