TransLink has commenced field testing for its new Mark V SkyTrain vehicles as part of the final testing phase before they enter service in Vancouver.

Testing commenced on Saturday 8 March to evaluate the train’s on-board systems and operational performance on the Expo and Millennium lines. These tests will also evaluate the station modifications made to accommodate the longer train configuration.

During the field testing period, Mark V trains will stop at stations, but passengers will not be permitted to board. The tests will be conducted intermittently during non-peak hours and will not affect regular SkyTrain service levels.

The next-generation Mark V SkyTrain vehicles

© TransLink

All new trains must undergo daytime field testing and meet safety requirements before they can be introduced into service. The testing phase will continue until the full fleet of 235 Mark V cars is fully integrated by 2029.

These new five-car trains have been designed to provide increased capacity, modified seating arrangements, and additional passenger amenities.

The Mark V Train feature:

• A new seating arrangement with wider aisles
• Flex areas for passengers using mobility devices, strollers, bicycles, and luggage
• The return of a front and rear-facing ‘driver’s seat’ for passenger viewing
• Improved in-train displays and door indicators
• Upgraded heating, ventilation, and cooling systems for enhanced climate control

TransLink is also continuing its station upgrades to accommodate the longer trains. Testing and infrastructure improvements are expected to be completed in the coming months, with the first Mark V trains projected to enter service this spring.

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