No. H073/11
For release - August 17, 2011
SkyTrain pioneers and current leaders honour the past and celebrate the future of rapid transit in Metro Vancouver
VANCOUVER — After 25 years of service and 1.2 billion riders served, SkyTrain has reason to celebrate today.
Grace McCarthy, the former minister of BC Transit, whose government, under then Premier Bill Bennett, was responsible for launching SkyTrain 25 years ago, joined Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Peace River South, Blair Lekstrom and Fleetwood-Port Kells Member of Parliament, Nina Grewal to celebrate the system's silver anniversary at the SkyTrain Operations and Maintenance Centre in Burnaby. TransLink chief executive officer Ian Jarvis and SkyTrain president and general manager Fred Cummings, along with several past and present SkyTrain employees, including four who were honoured for reaching 25 years with SkyTrain, also joined the event.
"Our intention for the SkyTrain system was to nurture livable town centre developments, move people without impeding other vehicles, enable multi use in the right of way and help sustain the overall environment," said Mr. Bennett. "My hope is that we always stretch in this province to build innovative transportation excellence that serves our communities, economy and people."
"Opening SkyTrain in 1986 was a defining moment for Metro Vancouver. It transformed the way we travel throughout the region and made this great area one of the very best to live in," said Ms. McCarthy. "I am proud to share this legacy with the long-time SkyTrain employees we are honouring today."
Since the Expo Line opened in 1986, the system has been expanded to include the Millennium and Canada Lines. More than $4 billion has been invested by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, TransLink and other partners since ground was broken in 1983. The federal government has invested in SkyTrain through the Public Transit Capital Trust, the Gas Tax Fund, the Building Canada Fund and the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
Looking ahead, another $2 billion in improvements are planned, many of which are already underway, including building the Evergreen Line, expanding SkyTrain's operations and maintenance centre, installing faregates, introducing the Compass card, and improving accessibility. As well, 48 new rail cars have been added to the system. All of these projects will help meet growing demand, better serve TransLink's customers and keep SkyTrain running smoothly well into its golden anniversary.
"Twenty-five years ago SkyTrain demonstrated that British Columbia was a world leader in rapid transit," said Minister Lekstrom. "Today we recognize this achievement as a defining moment in our province. We have continued to build on that momentum with the Expo, Millennium and Canada Lines and our commitment to the Evergreen Line. With TransLink, the Government of Canada and local governments, we continue to lead by investing in transportation to achieve a better future."
"SkyTrain has been providing transit users in Metro Vancouver with a safe and efficient means of transportation for the last 25 years," said MP Grewal. "The Government of Canada is proud to support environmentally-sustainable municipal infrastructure, like SkyTrain, which contributes to cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improving the environment and benefiting all Canadians."
"Thanks to the foresight of past pioneers, SkyTrain has become the backbone of the regional transportation system, carrying some 310,000 passengers everyday," said Mr. Jarvis. "We are grateful to senior governments for carrying on this legacy and helping us reinvest in the system that will serve our customers for years to come."
"This milestone is a perfect opportunity to say ‘thanks' to our customers and dedicated staff and contractors—and particularly our 25-year veterans—who have consistently delivered reliable and efficient service for our customers and made our rapid transit system one of the most efficient in North America," said Mr. Cummings.
As part of the OnTrack program, maintenance projects, upgrades and investments are taking place along the system during SkyTrain's 25th anniversary. Visit www.translink.ca/ontrack for more information about construction and timelines, and the benefits of these projects.
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