TransLink begins replacing all Expo Line elevators

TRANSLINK is elevating the customer experience by replacing all original Expo Line elevators — most of which are from the opening of SkyTrain in 1985.

The Expo Line Elevator Replacement Program will improve station accessibility and reliability for customers by replacing 21 original elevators across 15 stations. Once complete, all original Expo Line elevators will have been replaced with newer, more spacious ones.

The new elevators will be:

• More spacious with extra room for customers with mobility devices, strollers, bikes, and luggage
• More reliable due to reduced downtime required for maintenance
• More weather-resilient in warm weather

Two elevator replacements are already under way at Nanaimo and 22nd Street stations. Each elevator replacement will take approximately four months to complete. Elevators will be replaced a few at a time until all remaining original Expo Line elevators are replaced to minimize disruptions for customers.

This program follows TransLink’s recent replacement of 37 original Expo Line escalators and is the next stage in improving the customer experience by ensuring the SkyTrain system continues to operate safely and reliably.

Customers can receive live texts or email updates about elevator closures at their frequently used stations by subscribing to Station Alerts. Customers can also find up-to-date information about elevator closures on the Transit Alerts webpage, or information about the Expo Line Replacement Program at translink.ca/elevators.

This $32 million investment was approved by the Mayors’ Council as part of Phase 2 of the Mayors’ 10-Year Vision, with partial funding from the federal government’s Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF) and from the Government of British Columbia. To complete the replacement of additional SkyTrain elevators, TransLink will seek funds through future Investment Plans.