Just in time for the hot spell, new SkyTrain cars have arrived – with improved air conditioning.
Better A/C is just one feature of the new Mark III trains, built by Bombardier at a cost of $91 million. The first train went into service Thursday on the Expo Line and six more will be added over the coming months to boost capacity for the opening of the Evergreen Line.
The new trains are made up of four connected cars, so for the first time SkyTrain riders will be able to walk the entire length of the train.
The only drawback is fewer seats.
The new trains will eventually replace some of the oldest Mark III trains, which have been in service since the mid 1980’s.
The Evergreen extension, linking Burnaby to Coquitlam, was originally supposed to open this summer. It was then delayed to the fall and further delayed to early 2017. Construction is now said to be 85 per cent complete.
TransLink is waiting to take possession of the line from the province.
“The project is very much on track and I think we’ll collectively be able to talk about the start date fairly soon,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond.
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