TransLink announces arrival of its new Mark V SkyTrain

TransLink just announced the arrival of its new, spacious and more accessible SkyTrain cars to its Burnaby facility.

On Friday, the transit company wrote in a blog post the five-car Mark V train had completed its journey from Kingston, Ont. where it was being tested.

Now, at the SkyTrain Operations and Maintenance Centre, the cars will undergo rigorous testing for the next 12 months.

TransLink says it expects testing to be complete at the end of 2024.

The company notes the commissioning process for Mark V trains will be particularly complicated due to the sheer size of the train.

Compared to the current Mark I, II and III trains in use, TransLink says the Mark V train is substantially longer.

Therefore, its stopping locations at all stations must be accurate to ensure the train can fit on all platforms.

At the busiest times of day, TransLink says it expects to be able to serve 20 per cent more customers on its Expo Line and 50 per cent more on its Millenium Line, once the Mark V train is in use.

More space for bike racks and leaning pads, primarily forward-facing seats and improved on-train displays are also being touted by the company as among the improved features of the Mark V train.