Five New Escalators for Busy Vancouver SkyTrain Station

Replacement of all five escalators serving the Burrard SkyTrain station in downtown Vancouver, Canada, is set to begin this month, with anticipated completion by spring 2024, regional transportation authority TransLink announced on October 7. Replacing units that are more than 35 years old, the new escalators will boast smoother operation and braking, LED step lighting for better visibility, a variable-speed option to save power and improved maintenance accessibility to minimize downtime. TransLink tells ELEVATOR WORLD the units are being provided by KONE. The station will operate normally throughout construction with partial escalator access, and elevator access will not be affected. TransLink said in March that more extensive upgrades would not proceed due to higher-than-anticipated construction bid prices. The escalator replacement represents a “rescoped” plan for Burrard, which is the fourth busiest within the SkyTrain system with approximately 12,000 average daily boardings. “Given [the escalators’] age, replacement is critical to meet growing passenger volumes,” TransLink said.