SkyTrain network changes could snarl Monday's commute for some
Chad Pawson | CBC News | Posted: October 24, 2016 3:00 AM | Last Updated: October 24, 2016
TransLink changed Millennium and Expo Lines on Oct. 22 as Evergreen Extension gets set to open
Changes to the SkyTrain network that took effect this weekend could make for a headache Monday as a crush of commuters line up for the system.
"Like with any change, some people need a little more assistance," said Vivienne King, president and general manager of the B.C. Rapid Transit Company.
"You'll notice we have a lot more staff around, particularly the stations where the change has happened."
The Millennium Line no longer travels to Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. Instead, it runs east-west from Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby to VCC-Clark in Vancouver.
Customers can transfer between Expo and Millennium lines at Commercial-Broadway, Lougheed Station or Production Way-University.
TransLink says those transferring between the Expo and Millennium lines at Production Way–University can hop off one train and onto another on the same platform without having to take stairs, escalators or elevators.
When the Evergreen Extension opens, which will be sometime before Christmas, the Millennium Line will run from VCC-Clark to Lafarge Lake-Douglas in Coquitlam without requiring a transfer.
TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond told CBC News the changes are part of a testing program to get ready for the extension.
Expo Line changes
There are also changes for the Expo Line, which is now split into two branches.
One will travel between Waterfront and Production Way-University in Burnaby.
The second will travel between Waterfront and King George Station in Surrey.
TranksLink says the frequency of Millennium Line trains will increase, but the Expo Line will remain roughly the same.