The CUTA Youth Summit 2011 tour group
Back in October, I joined a group of CUTA Youth Summit 2011 delegates on a tour of BC Rapid Transit Company’s Control Centre. BC Rapid Transit Company (BCRTC) operates and maintains SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium lines from its Operations and Maintenance Centre (OMC) near Edmonds SkyTrain Station. Read more »
The SkyTrain system officially turned 25 late last year (December 11, 2010, to be exact), but today we celebrated the Silver Anniversary with an event at the BC Rapid Transit Company’s (SkyTrain’s) Operations and Maintenance Centre as a celebration of our 25th year of regular service.
Grace McCarthy and Bud Smith (Former Attorney General of BC who spoke on behalf of former BC Premier Bill Bennett) - photo by Anna Mae Abia
There were roughly 100 people in attendance including Grace McCarthy, the former minister of BC Transit, whose government under then Premier Bill Bennett was responsible for launching SkyTrain 25 years ago. Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Peace River South; Fleetwood-Port Kells Member of Parliament, Nina Grewal; TransLink CEO, Ian Jarvis, and SkyTrain President and General Manager, Fred Cummings, were also in attendance. Four SkyTrain employees were honoured at the event for working with SkyTrain for 25 years. Thanks for all those years of service!
TransLink COO Doug Kelsey - photo by Anna Mae Abia
Now that the first 25-years is behind us, I can’t wait to see what the next 25-years will bring!
Canada Line traveling over the Fraser River on the Canada Line Bridge
Yup, it’s been part of our lives for a couple of years now, and it’s become a mainstay for many Metro Vancouver commuters. Today marks the second birthday of this latest installment in Metro Vancouver’s SkyTrain system.
InTransit BC, the company that built the Canada Line, has this to say about the anniversary:
“Canada Line is a very successful public/private partnership between TransLink and InTransit BC. Average daily ridership is approximately 107,000, up substantially from when the System opened 2 years ago. At the end of our 2nd Operating Year, Canada Line has handled 73,622,384 passenger trips. InTransit BC’s Operator, PROTRANS BC, has delivered first-class service, and TransLink is to be commended for enhancing the integration of the overall transit system in Metro Vancouver. The new Canada Line schedule was developed based on increased level of service required under the contract between InTransit BC and TransLink. Doug Allen, the President and CEO of InTransit BC, is confident the new schedule will be well-received by passengers traveling all parts of the Canada Line System and beyond.”
That new Canada Line schedule mentioned is an increase in the number of trains running during peak hours. Here’s the skinny on that from the press release:
There will be 16 trains operating in peak service hours, up from 14, meaning more frequent service and shorter intervals between trains. Weekdays, peak service levels will start a half-hour earlier at 6:30 am and will run an hour later until 7 pm. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, peak service levels will continue to start at their regular times (9:00 am Saturdays and 10:00 am Sundays and holidays) but will run an hour later each day until 7 pm.
Comments on TransLink's Facebook page about Canada Line turning 2
Although this birthday isn’t one of the big ones for Canada Line (we like to celebrate birthdays every five years), fans of TransLink on Facebook had some very nice things to say about the line:
The Vancouver Bicycle Meetup Group is obviously big fans of the Canada Line Bridge. They celebrated the bridge’s second birthday last Sunday with a ride and some cake. Take a look at the photo section on their meetup page for some great shots! If you missed the ride this year, they’ve already set up an event for when the bridge turns three!
The Vancouver Bicycle Meetup Group on the Canada Line Bridge
Brad Jacobsen is with the BC Paraplegic Association's Peer Program
Access Awareness Day was last Saturday, but TransLink has been focusing on accessible transit all last week and into this week with public events like the one at Metrotown tomorrow, June 8 at 10a.m. – 2p.m., and the Seniors Transit Program on June 9 and 16 from 9a.m. to 3p.m.
As part of our accessibility focus, I wanted to chat with someone who uses a wheelchair and knows our transportation system intimately. Brad Jacobsen is with the BC Paraplegic Association’s Peer Program. He’s also the creator of the Bus Stop Hop, an annual event that teams up able-bodied people with people who use mobility aids to partake in an Amazing Race-style competition on public transit.
It’s a pretty cool race with an aim to help people in need of accessible transit overcome their fear of it and for able-bodied people to better understand what accessible transit is all about.
Here is an excerpt from our conversation:
Brad, tell me about your injury and what happened afterwards.
I broke my neck on the May Long Weekend in 1994 in a diving accident. I dove into a glacier river in Pemberton trying to get a Frisbee. I was instantly paralyzed and left floating in the spring run off. I was able to hold my breath until a friend got me. My life took a different direction after that. I was 24 and was just accepted into BCIT’s broadcast journalism program and was thinking of becoming a teacher one day.
You know, when I finally realized what had happened, I faced my challenge head on. I thought I could overcome my disability. So I just pushed myself and did as much as I could as fast as I could. I moved out as soon as I finished rehabilitation, I got my own place and I got a job with BC Ferries.
Tell me about the challenges you face with mobility.Working at BC Ferries, I worked eight days on/four days off without the use of the HandyDart system. At the time, it was difficult to get across boundaries, so I had to use accessible transit, which back in 1994 was still new. Not all the buses were accessible. Often, I had to wait for long periods of time when buses were full or broken down. I was often the first in line, but I wouldn’t be able to get on when the able bodied people behind me could. My eight-hour days at work were 11 hours if there weren’t any problems. Managing all the things you have to do as a quadriplegic with a spinal cord injury and being at work… was challenging but worth it.
What’s the Bus Stop Hop all about?
One of the main challenges with trying to have events was people [with physical challenges] saying that they can’t get there. There was always the excuse of no transportation, yet right under our noises was this amazing transportation system.
We were always trying to do creative things, trying to make people learn and gain confidence in a fun way. That was about the time when the Amazing Race was popular on TV, so we created an event that took the mystique out of the transit system. We got people in wheelchairs paired with a peer in a wheelchair, along with people from TransLink and a friend or family member to make teams of four. They race around the city in four different modes of transportation. Three modes are directly related to TransLink, the SeaBus, SkyTrain, and the bus system. We also incorporated the Aquabus in False Creek. We created this fun scavenger hunt/race around Metro Vancouver including Burnaby, Metrotown, and UBC. We’re going to have 15 teams this year. All the trolley buses have been accessible since 2008, so that makes the race even bigger [than earlier years]. Now, we also incorporate the Canada Line.
In this 10th year, we want to invite more executives and community partners. In the past, we have had a lot of participation from upper management at TransLink.
When is it this year?
This year it will be on August 7th, 2011. We’ll have some people who competed last year and some new people. We’ll have some people who are very competitive and some that just want to overcome their fears and just get on a bus. Having someone get on a bus on a crowded weekend along with able-bodied people can illustrates the difficulties people with physical challenges have when using transit.
Thanks for taking the time to speak with me, Brad!
Brad told me that the teams for this year’s Bus Stop Hop have not yet been finalized, so do check out the Bus Stop Hop page on the BC Paraplegic Association website. And remember that if you’d like to try out getting on a bus in a wheelchair or using a bike rack, come on down to Metrotown tomorrow, June 8, 2011, for the accessible bus trail between 10AM and 2PM. See you there!
The SkyTrain 25th anniversary celebration continues: here’s another fantastic SkyTrain promotional video from 1984, again shot by local video company JEM Productions!
This one stares into the future with a bit more seriousness than the past few videos, but this time with a killer synth soundtrack. (Seriously: I’ve got to make some ringtones.)
It traces the new SkyTrain route, gives us a glimpse of the SkyTrain attendants’ fabulous uniforms, and has a fairly exhaustive list of all the economic benefits and regional growth that Vancouver can expect.
And of course you can check out some awesome aerial shots of historic 1980s Vancouver!
If you’d like to see more, I’ve posted two other SkyTrain videos in the past, plus scans of photos and memorabilia. Check out the entire Transit History category for all of those and even more history tidbits. Happy 25th, SkyTrain!
Up up and away: the SkyTrain Transformer helps kids learn to ride the system!
Why yes, that IS a SkyTrain Transformer! He’s the star of Up, Up, and Away on SkyTrain, a 1986 Transformers-inspired kids guide to the system, kindly shared by my colleague Bill Knight.
The Transformers made their debut in 1984, so we think that BC Transit was just trying to capitalize on what was popular with kids those days. The SkyTrain Transformer is clearly not an official Autobot or Decepticon, but it’s plenty charming all the same :)
You can download the full pamphlet PDF here to see our friend the SkyTrain Transformer point out many more safety features on the system.
And remember, you can check out the entire Transit History category for more photos, videos, and stories on SkyTrain’s history and more. Happy 25th, SkyTrain!
The banner unrolled after the ribbon cutting. Photo by Alan M.
What a bounty: Alan M has shared some great photos from the opening of Scott Road Station in 1990. No, it’s not 80s SkyTrain, but it’s still a part of SkyTrain heritage all the same!
He’s provided captions for each so, as before, I have just put them in and added no extraneous commentary. Click each one for a MUCH larger version as well. Enjoy!
A couple of interesting SkyTrain ads! Photo by Alan M.
SkyTrain’s 25th anniversary celebration continues online!
After providing such a wonderful flashback to SkyTrain in 1986, Alan M has sent along some more photos of SkyTrain in its early years.
Alan’s captioned each one so as before, I will just let his words and photos speak for themselves :) Enjoy!
Princess Diana and Prince Charles at Patterson Station. Photo dated May 6, 1986. Click for a much larger version!
Prince Charles and Princess Diana with SkyTrain car 014. Click for a much larger version!
Again, as it’s SkyTrain’s 25th anniversary this year, I’ve assembled some historic photo treats to share with you today!
We’ll kick it off with photos of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales on the SkyTrain, as a couple of people have asked after these. Charles and Diana visited Expo in May of 1986, and rode the brand new SkyTrain from Waterfront to Patterson Station. (Then I assume they went back to Waterfront, although our records are silent on the return leg. Edit: Thomas explains in the comments that they went back to Stadium Station and disembarked there. Thanks!)
I found the photo above in the TransLink offices: Diana is walking at Patterson Station, with Prince Charles just behind her. The one at right was from the Buzzer’s Jan 20, 2006 issue, and the one below was sent in by Jennifer Siddon at SkyTrain. Also, Global Edmonton has this photo of Charles and Diana apparently heading to Waterfront Station (or does that look like a different station to you?).
Notice that car 014 is the one Diana and Charles rode in! I’m not certain there is a plaque inside it for them, but car 014 does have one for the prince and princess of Belgium, and the princess of Thailand.
I’m not sure why car 014 got to be the bearer of such prestigious guests, but next time you ride it, know that you’ve shared the same space as countless royals!
Prince Charles and Princess Diana at Patterson Station. Click for a much larger version!
The certificate given out for riding the prebuild, Main Street SkyTrain demonstration line! Scan kindly provided by Rob Chew.
SkyTrain tickets from 1983, 1986, and 1996! Scans courtesy of Rob Chew.
While I do have more video and photos lurking around, I don’t want to overlook sharing these memorabilia tidbits from the launch of SkyTrain 25 years ago!
Transit fan Rob Chew kindly shared these items with me a while back, and I think you’ll quite enjoy them.
Above, Rob scanned in the first rider’s certificate from the Main Street demonstration track. Staff also received an appreciation certificate that looks virtually identical: see the certificate here!
And of course, here are some classic tickets!
Rob sent along scans from the 1983 demonstration line, the 1986 first year of service, and the 1996 10-year anniversary. Boy, how times and prices have changed—just think of how much a movie cost way back then too!
(Also, if you’re so inclined, you can grab larger sized images of each ticket here — 1983, 1986, and 1996.)
The Going To Town article in the fall 1985 Vancouver Regional Rapid Transit Quarterly magazine. Click the picture to download the magazine PDF!
Note: I’m still on holiday until Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011! This is a scheduled post. (Visit this post for a list of alternate TransLink contacts if you need it.)
Just in time for Christmas, here’s a huge, huge video treat for SkyTrain’s 25th anniversary!
This is Going to Town, a 30-minute documentary shot by JEM Productions for B.C. Transit in 1985. It lovingly details the construction of the line, the 1984 Main Street demonstration, and the final finished product. You can see the Expo/Millennium Line control room in all its original glory, among many other things!
The SkyTrain coverage just scratches the tip of the iceberg, however: the video has some amazing shots of Metro Vancouver in the 1980s, of people boarding the line to reach their destinations, and a guest appearance from James “Quick” Parker of the B.C. Lions.
Plus there’s a killer sax-filled soundtrack, and so many awesome fashions and haircuts that it brings tears to the eyes!
Trivia tidbit: you’ll note that nobody actually ever says “SkyTrain” in the video. The line was officially known as the “Vancouver Regional Rapid Transit Project” until December 11, 1985, when Grace McCarthy, the provincial minister responsible for B.C. Transit, announced the new SkyTrain name. Apparently months of searching by ad agencies, the government, and the public took place to find the name! For more, check out this 1985 Province article about the new name.
As well, here is the fall 1985 Vancouver Regional Rapid Transit Quarterly magazine, which has an article about Going To Town on page 12, not to mention the design philosophy behind the SkyTrain stations, a description of the guideway intrusion detectors, and construction notes on the B.C. Parkway.
It turns out there were six film crews documenting the SkyTrain during the summer! Here’s the quote.
Other productions include Running Man starring Christopher Reeve of Superman fame, Danger Bay, a half-hour weekly adventure series produced locally by the CBC for Canadian TV and the U.S. Disney channel, segments for a North American and European markets Tourism Canada series by Boardwalk Productions, and an Independent Productions Ltd. film covering transportation in British Columbia for showing at the BC Pavilion during Expo 86.
Danger Bay and SkyTrain! Two Canadian icons, together at last :)
A huge thank you to Ian Graham at SkyTrain for transferring this wondrous video to DVD for us all to enjoy! Happy holidays, everyone!
SkyTrain racing through the Expo 86 grounds. Photo by Alan M.
Note: I’m still on holiday until Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011! This is a scheduled post. (Visit this post for a list of alternate TransLink contacts if you need it.)
In honour of SkyTrain’s 25th anniversary in December 2010/January 2011, Alan M kindly sent along some lovely photos of SkyTrain in 1986! He provided some great background on several of them so I’ve captioned them with his words—no need for me to dress them up any further :)
CBC did an interview for SkyTrain's 25th with Ian Graham, operations manager for SkyTrain's Expo/Millennium Line, and Kyla Daman-Willems, marketing supervisor for West Coast Express!
In case you didn’t catch it, CBC’s Early Edition did an interview last Friday, December 10, 2010 with Ian Graham, operations manager for SkyTrain, and Kyla Daman-Willems, former SkyTrain attendant and current marketing and customer service supervisor for West Coast Express! All in honour of SkyTrain’s 25th anniversary in 2010/2011.
Check it out at CBC’s Early Edition page—click the Friday stream and listen in at about 1 hour.
Among the interesting tidbits revealed, which some of you may know well: the original fleet of MK I SkyTrain vehicles had carpet; Grace McCarthy, the minister in charge of BC Transit at the time, had a hand in the red, white and blue interior colour scheme; and the uniform for female field staff once included a long skirt, a red cape and pumps!
(You can catch a glimpse of the old uniforms and interiors in this old SkyTrain riders’ pamphlet :)
You may also remember Ian Graham as the narrator of the story of the SkyTrain chime, too!
Another item in our 25th anniversary flashback series! Here’s a quick clip of SkyTrain zooming through the Expo 86 grounds, courtesy of the City of Vancouver Archives!
It’s a quick look at the SkyTrain during its launch year, plus about a minute of footage of the Expo grounds, including the monorail :)
This clip is an excerpt from “Expo Views” by Yaletown Productions, a video production firm whose footage was recently acquired by the City of Vancouver Archives. The item number is accession 2010-035, and the Archives currently hopes to have the full footage available online sometime in 2011.
SkyTrain bursts through a banner on its very first day in service: Dec 11, 1985!
The caption from the Quarterly magazine: Premier Bill Bennett and his wife Audrey were at the centre of throngs turning out in Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster for SkyTrain launch. Photo by Ric Ernst. (Click for a much larger version!)
SkyTrain reaches a huge milestone on December 11, 2010: on this day 25 years ago, the system launched into service!
To be specific, December 11, 1985 actually marks the first day that SkyTrain entered free service—the system was launched with huge fanfare and eight non-consecutive days of free rides, before officially going into paid service on January 3, 1986.
But a launch is a launch, and December 11 is when Premier Bill Bennett cut the ribbons and declared SkyTrain open, so here we are celebrating 25 years of SkyTrain today :)
To celebrate on the blog, I have a download of the Winter 1986 edition of Vancouver Regional Rapid Transit Project Quarterly for you! It’s a glossy publication that chronicled all the stages of SkyTrain’s construction, and this edition is all about the December 11 launch and service during Expo. Grab it here:
There’s some great photos of the SkyTrain, and some fantastic facts. Did you know there was a SkyTrain time capsule at New Westminster Station, to be opened in 1985 2085? Or that SkyTrain only offered six hours of service on Sundays when it started? Plus here’s a great description of the opening days:
During eight “free-ride” days, people flocked from far and wide to ride the 22 kilometre automated rapid transit linking Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster. Trains were filled to beyond design capacity with people trying out the new system. Lineups, sometimes three blocks long, were seen at some stations. During these special days, the fledgling service carried 60,000 people during a nine-hour day.
We’re up to over 240,000 rides during weekdays today—how far we’ve come!
Rest assured, I’ve got more historical items to share over the upcoming weeks to celebrate 25 years of SkyTrain. But I’d love for you all to join in!
If you have any old SkyTrain items, photographs or memories to share, please send me a note at thebuzzer@translink.ca. I’d be happy to showcase them on the blog and in the print Buzzer. Don’t be shy—send in your stuff, no matter how bad your hair might look in the 80s :)
And to inspire you, here are a few past posts with more SkyTrain historical treats:
It’s the Blanket BC Society‘s second annual Drive on the Line campaign this Friday, November 26, 2010!
Feel free to bring your clean, warm blankets to select SkyTrain stations to help out folks in need this winter.
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., volunteers will collect blankets at the following SkyTrain stations:
Canada Line
Richmond Brighouse
Bridgeport
Oakridge
Broadway/City Hall
Vancouver City
Waterfront
Expo/Millennium Line
King George
Columbia
Lougheed
Brentwood
Commercial-Broadway
Waterfront
Blanket BC distributes the donated blankets to the needy through outreach programs and churches throughout Metro Vancouver. The Society is a registered charity, and is in fact the brainchild of a Canada Line employee, Gregory Ould, who has collected over 35,000 blankets with his family since 2006.
For more information, please visit the Blanket BC website, or contact Gregory Ould, founder and executive director, at 778-242-9940 or gregory.ould@blanketbc.com.
SkyTrain is 25 years old this year! We're celebrating with classic photos, video, and more: feel free to send yours in too!
Watch Going to Town, a 1985 SkyTrain documentary
Watch On Track, a 1984 project documentary
