No. H 241/07
For release - December 14, 2007
VANCOUVER - InTransitBC unveiled the first Canada Line train and a new visual identity today. Held at the Canada Line Operations and Maintenance Centre (OMC) in Richmond, B.C., the event was attended by James Moore, Member of Parliament for Port Moody - Westwood - Port Coquitlam, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Kevin Falcon, British Columbia Minister of Transportation;
Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver; Cynthia Chen, Acting Mayor for the City of Richmond; and Mr. Yong-Hoon Lee, President & CEO of Hyundai Rotem Company.
"Projects such as the Canada Line demonstrate our government's commitment to improving Canadians' quality of life and promoting environmentally-sound transportation alternatives such as public transit," said James Moore, M.P. "The Government of Canada supports public-private partnerships such as this one and encourages the use of public-private partnerships for large-scale transportation infrastructure investments."
"In less than two years, Canada Line will be a key transit choice available to the people of the Lower Mainland and visitors alike," said Minister Falcon. "It illustrates that public and private partners are working together to build a transportation system that benefits the people of this province now, and in the future."
"Protecting the environment by promoting sustainable transportation is one of the five goals we have established for Vancouver," said Mayor Sullivan. "The Canada Line represents a tremendous commitment by the federal and provincial governments to public transit in Metro Vancouver. It sets the stage for more investment to achieve the ambitious transit and greenhouse gas emission targets we have established."
"Hyundai Rotem began manufacturing rolling stock in 1964 and has supplied more than 36,000 rail cars to over 30 countries around the world," said Mr. Yong-Hoon Lee. "We have spent the past 26 months preparing the design, production and testing of the Canada Line vehicles and are honored to be part of the unveiling of the first train."
"Only two years after the start of construction, InTransitBC is proud to be bringing new vehicles with advanced technology and features," said Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and CEO of InTransitBC. "In less than two years, these trains will enhance the experience of travel for the residents and visitors of the Lower Mainland."
The first four of 20 modern, fully automated, two-vehicle metro trains designed and built for the Canada Line were delivered to the OMC in Bridgeport last month. Built in Korea by Hyundai Rotem Company, the remaining 16 vehicles are anticipated to arrive in four further batches through to August 2008. The 41m trains can accommodate 400 seated and standing passengers.
Features of the Canada Line vehicles include wide aisles between seats for smooth passenger flow; a walkway between vehicles; greater accessibility for wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles; passenger silent alarm; emergency passenger-operated intercom panels; air-conditioned interiors; high visibility electronic "Next Station" signs in each train; high visibility electronic "Destination" signs on the outside of each train; a public address system announcing next stations; modern vandal-resistant finishes; and fully automated and driverless operations.
The new look of the Canada Line was chosen to reflect the Lower Mainland's signature mountains, forests, and sea. It was designed by Canadian advertising agency Meadwell, with the intention of creating a fresh look that will further enhance people's pride in the Lower Mainland.
The cost of the Canada Line project is $2.05 billion and is being cost-shared by: the Government of Canada, which is providing up to $450 million; the Province of British Columbia, which is contributing up to $435 million; the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink), which is providing up to $343 million; the Vancouver International Airport Authority, which is providing up to $259 million; the City of Vancouver, which is providing up to $30 million; and InTransitBC, which is providing $720 million.
About the Canada Line
The Canada Line rapid transit system will run fully separated from traffic between the transportation hub at the Waterfront Centre in Vancouver, the heart of Richmond's civic precinct, and Vancouver International Airport. With 16 stations, two bridges, approximately 19 kms of tunnel and elevated guideway, parking and bus facilities, and transit capacity equivalent to 10 road lanes, the Canada Line will be an important new link in the regional transportation network.
The Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia, TransLink and Vancouver International Airport Authority are funding the Canada Line, which is also supported by the Cities of Vancouver and Richmond. The project is overseen by Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc. (CLCO), a subsidiary of TransLink. InTransitBC is the company contracted to design, build, operate, maintain and partially finance the Line.- 30 -
Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
Tel: 613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
Tel: 613-993-0055
Steve Crombie
InTransitBC
Tel: 604-605-5997
Email: Steve.Crombie@intransitbc.ca
Web: www.canadaline.ca
Alan Dever
Canada Line Project
Tel: 604-484-6700
Email: adever@canadaline.ca
Web: www.canadaline.ca
Tamara Little
Communications Director
B.C. Ministry of Transportation
Public Affairs Bureau
Tel: 250-387-7787
Cell: 250-889-1825
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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