Vancouver

Map of Rail Network

**Vancouver** is a major city in Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. The city has an urban population of 2.5 million, and is the third largest urban area in Canada. The Vancouver Area Rail Network consists of two major systems: The Vancouver SkyTrain (Heavy Rail) and the West Coast Express (Regional Rail). The SkyTrain is notable as the first and longest automated metro system in the world.

## Network

Vancouver's Rail Transit network consists of two systems: The Vancouver SkyTrain and the West Coast Express. The SkyTrain is a fully automated Heavy Rail system serving 3 lines and 53 stations. It was the world's first fully automated metro, and was the longest in the world until Dubai Metro's route 2020 was opened in 2021. The West Coast Express is a regional/commuter rail train that serves further destinations, with 8 stations and 1 line. The network provides service to the 2.5 million inhabitants of the Greater Vancouver Area.

## SkyTrain

The Vancouver SkyTrain is the Heavy Rail system serving the Vancouver Area. The System is made up of 3 lines: the Expo Line, Canada Line, and Millennium Line.

### Lines

 Millennium Line
 Canada Line

#### Expo Line

The Expo Line is a Northwest-Southeast line on the SkyTrain. The service terminates at Waterfront in the northeast, and Production Way/University or King George in the southeast. The line connects Downtown Vancouver to the subrubs of Burnaby and Surrey. The line provides transfers to the Canada Line and the West Coast express at Waterfront Station, and transfers to the Millennium Line at Production Way/University and Lougheed.

#### Canada Line

The Canada Line is a north-south line on the SkyTrain. The service terminates at Waterfront in the North and YVR - Airport or Richmond - Brighouse in the south. The line connects Downtown Vancouver with the southern suburb of Richmond, as well as providing access to Vancouver Airport. The line provides transfers to the Expo Line and the West Coast Express at Waterfront Station.

#### Millennium Line

The Millennium Line is the main east-west line of the SkyTrain. The services terminate at VCC - Clark and Lafarge Lake - Douglas. The line connects South Central Vancouver with the suburbs of Burnaby, Port Moody, and Coquitlam. The Line intersects with the Expo Line at Commercial-Broadway, Production Way/University and Lougheed, allowing for riders to connect into Downtown Vancouver

## West Coast Express

The West Coast Express is the regional rail system serving the Greater Vancouver Area. The system consists of a single line.

The West Coast Express runs east-west and provides commuter and longer distance trips into Vancouver Downtown. The line terminates at Waterfront and Mission City. The line connects Downtown Vancouver with the eastern suburbs of Burnaby, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, and Abbotsford. The Line provides transfers to the Canada and Expo lines at Waterfront station, and transfers to the Millennium Line at Coquitlam Central and Moody Centre.

## Future Plans

There are several proposed extensions to the Skytrain Network. The only approved extension is one of the Yellow Line. The current plan, which is due to be opened in 2025, will extend the Yellow Line westward, creating a new transfer with the Canada Line at Broadway-City Hall, and provide services to Western Vancouver, and the University of British Colombia. This line will replace the 99B bus line that currently runs this route.

## Intercity Rail

*More information on Intercity Rail can be found on the Canada page*

Intercity Rail Services are operated by VIA Rail Canada, on the Canadian Train. The Services stop in **Pacific Central Station**, which can be accessed through Main Street - Science World Station on the Expo Line. The Canadian provides connections to the east towards Toronto.