Alstom’s first new SkyTrain trains enter commercial service in Vancouver
The new “Made-in-Canada” trains are designed, manufactured and tested at Alstom facilities in Canada, supporting over 280 local jobs.
www.alstom.com
Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, and its long-time Vancouver partner TransLink are announcing that the first new generation SkyTrain vehicles, an automated light metro fleet known as the Mark V, are going into service. By the end of 2025, several of these five-car trains will be running on the Expo Line and Millennium Line network, a major milestone in the modernisation of Vancouver’s rapid transit system.
“The entry into service of the state-of-the-art Mark V light metro fleet marks a new chapter in sustainable urban mobility. Alstom is proud to deliver “Made-in-Canada”, best-in-class technology that enhances reliability, optimises 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,” said Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom Americas.
“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,” added Kevin Quinn, CEO, TransLink.
These driverless light metros are the longest and highest capacity trains on the SkyTrain network to date. With the additional order from TransLink to supply 6 five-car Mark V trains for the SkyTrain network in 2024, TransLink has ordered a total of 235 Mark V cars (47 trains). 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 wagons, new seating and standing configuration, indigenous artwork, improved HVAC and large digital displays showing station information.
These “Made-in-Canada" 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.
“Alstom Canada is proud to have been the main rolling stock supplier for the SkyTrain since its debut in 1985. A recognized model of reliability among automated systems around the world, the SkyTrain is part of Vancouver’s unique identity and a testament to Canadian ingenuity. Vancouver transit users will be very well served by this new generation of remarkable Canadian-made vehicles that incorporate the world’s most advanced technology,” said David van der Wee, Vice-president Rolling Stock North America, Alstom.
With approximately 5,000 highly-skilled Canadian employees, Alstom is the only global rail mobility manufacturer to have production facilities in the country.
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