Metro Vancouver SkyTrain Lines

Here’s an overview of the different Vancouver Skytrain Lines:

1. Expo Line

Route: The Expo Line runs from Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver to King George Station in Surrey, with a branch that ends at Production Way–University Station in Burnaby.
Key Stations:
Waterfront Station: Major hub connecting to SeaBus, West Coast Express, and Canada Line.
Commercial–Broadway: A busy transfer point to the Millennium Line.
Metrotown: Located next to Metropolis at Metrotown, one of the largest shopping malls in Canada.
New Westminster: In the heart of the historic New Westminster district.
Surrey Central: Key station in Surrey’s rapidly growing downtown area.
Purpose: Connects downtown Vancouver to Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey, making it essential for commuters and shoppers.

2. Millennium Line

Route: The Millennium Line forms a loop from VCC–Clark Station in Vancouver to Lafarge Lake–Douglas Station in Coquitlam. It runs primarily through Vancouver, Burnaby, and Coquitlam.
Key Stations:
Commercial–Broadway: Transfer point to the Expo Line.
Brentwood Town Centre: Near shopping and residential developments.
Lougheed Town Centre: This important transfer station connects buses and the Expo Line.
Coquitlam Central: Major transit hub in Coquitlam, with connections to buses and the West Coast Express.
Lafarge Lake–Douglas: The eastern terminus, near parks and recreation areas.
Purpose: Connects major residential areas with shopping centers and educational institutions while offering transfers to the Expo Line and bus services.

3. Canada Line

Route: The Canada Line runs from Waterfront Station to Richmond–Brighouse Station in Richmond and YVR–Airport Station at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Key Stations:
Waterfront Station: Major connection to Expo, Millennium Lines, and the SeaBus.
Vancouver City Centre: In the heart of downtown Vancouver’s shopping and business districts.
Bridgeport: The transfer point is where the line splits into the Richmond and YVR branches.
YVR–Airport: Direct access to Vancouver International Airport.
Richmond–Brighouse: In Richmond’s commercial and civic center.
The purpose is to provide fast access between downtown Vancouver, Richmond, and the airport, serving both daily commuters and travelers.

4. Evergreen Extension

Route: This extension of the Millennium Line runs from Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby to Lafarge Lake–Douglas in Coquitlam.
Key Stations:
Burquitlam: Serves the growing residential areas of Coquitlam and Burnaby.
Moody Centre: Close to Port Moody’s waterfront and shops.
Coquitlam Central: Major transit hub in Coquitlam.
Purpose: Extends the Millennium Line into Coquitlam, providing better transit options for the rapidly growing communities in the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam).

5. Arbutus Extension

Route: This 5.7-kilometre extension of the Millennium Line continues west from VCC–Clark Station to Arbutus Street.
Key Stations:
Great Northern Way-Emily Carr: Serves a rapidly-densifying tech and creative hub.
Broadway–City Hall: Key interchange with the Canada Line and adjacent to the City of Vancouver offices.
South Granville: Connects to an established retail & cultural district and bus service across the Granville Street Bridge.
Arbutus: Planned transfer point to frequent bus service to UBC.
Purpose: To relieve congestion on one of the busiest transit corridors in Canada and support dense, mixed-use development under the Broadway Plan.

6. Langley Extension

Route: This 16-kilometre extension of the Expo Line follows the Fraser Highway from King George Station to Langley City Centre.
Key Stations:
King George: A key transfer point for RapidBus services and future BRT line to White Rock.
Fleetwood: New station supporting transit-oriented development in this emerging town centre.
Willowbrook: Serves a major commercial node and interchange for future BRT line to Maple Ridge.
Langley City Centre: Anchors Langley’s planned urban core.
Purpose: Reduce car dependency and catalyze high-density, mixed-use development in Transit-Oriented Areas along the corridor.

Overall SkyTrain Features:

Fully Automated: SkyTrain operates without drivers and uses automated technology.
Frequent Service: Trains run frequently every 2-5 minutes during peak hours.
Rapid Transit: The SkyTrain provides fast and efficient transportation across long distances, avoiding road congestion.
Integrated with TransLink: SkyTrain stations are integrated with TransLink’s bus network, SeaBus, and West Coast Express commuter trains, making it easy for passengers to switch between different modes of transportation.

Future Transit Corridors

King George Boulevard BRT: 19 kilometres of rapid transit service connecting Semiahmoo Town Centre with SkyTrain at King George and Surrey Central stations.
Langley–Haney Place BRT: a 22-kilometre rapid transit corridor that will link downtown Maple Ridge to the Expo Line at Willowbrook Station.
Metrotown–North Shore BRT: aims to relieve congestion on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge with lane-dedicated, high-capacity buses between Phibbs Exchange and Metrotown.
Burnaby Mountain Gondola: a safer, all-weather link from SFU/UniverCity to Skytrain at Production Way-University Station.

The Vancouver SkyTrain system is essential to the region’s transportation infrastructure, offering fast, reliable, and environmentally friendly transit for commuters, travellers, and tourists.