New Mark III SkyTrain cars are now in service on the Expo line.
The first new-generation train rolled from Waterfront Station to Surrey Thursday and six more new four-car trains will be deployed in the coming months.
TransLink officials say passengers will notice larger windows, including a bigger front windshield, as well as a quieter, smoother ride and more space for bikes, wheelchairs, strollers, luggage and standing riders.
Each Mark III car has 30 seats — three fewer than the previous generation — but can hold about 20 to 50 more passengers because of extra standing room. Passengers can walk from car to car the length of each train.
In addition to a map of stations that lights up indicating where a train is — a feature of Mark II trains — a new illuminated sign at the end of each train will indicate the destination, similar to that which exists on Canada Line trains, as well as improved LED lighting.
The new SkyTrain cars were built by Bombardier in Ontario and have undergone extensive testing in recent months.
TransLink paid $90.7 million for the 28 new SkyTrain cars in part to ensure extra capacity to serve the 11-km Evergreen Line when it opens early next year linking Lougheed Station in Burnaby with Port Moody and Coquitlam.
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