More bigger and better Mark III trains have now entered the testing phase on SkyTrain, according to an update by TransLink 鈥� but you can鈥檛 get on one yet.
New Mark III cars (Photo courtesy TransLink)
鈥淲e鈥檙e happy to say we鈥檙e testing and commissioning the newest Mark III train,鈥� said a Buzzer Blog post. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l see this one 4-car train on the Expo Line during non-peak hours, but no passengers are allowed on until the testing is complete.鈥�
The train will stop at all stations and the doors will open 鈥� but they will be taped and SkyTrain attendants will be onboard to ensure no one boards the train. It is mandatory for all new trains to undergo eight hours of testing.
"Over the next year, we will be receiving a total of聽56 new Mark III SkyTrain cars聽that will undergo mandated testing to ensure they are safe to travel on,鈥� said TransLink.鈥� Out of this, 24 SkyTrain cars will arrive early next year and another 28 by the end of the same year, all for the Expo and Millennium Lines."
The goal is to increase service and reduce overcrowding.
"All new trains go through three stages of commissioning:
- Stage 1: Involves running 80 km on Expo and Millennium Line during non-revenue hours.
- Stage 2: Includes running the train a total of eight hours during non-peak revenue service (current stage for the new trains).
- Stage 3:聽Involves running the train in full revenue service (during peak and non-peak hours) while transporting passengers.鈥�
These trains are fully-articulated, have more room for standing passengers, wheelchairs, bikes, strollers and riders with luggage, and are more environmentally efficient, according to TransLink.
鈥淓very 4th new Mark III train will allow us to update the Expo/Millennium service timetables, thereby increasing capacity on both the lines.鈥�
