Five trains in service for the first time in over three years

VANCOUVER, BC –TransLink is adding another West Coast Express (WCE) train into service, which will provide more convenience and capacity for customers. The newly refurbished train will enter service on June 19 and make two trips each weekday.

Extra service details:

• 5:55 a.m. weekday departure from Mission City Station
• 4:20 p.m. weekday departure from Waterfront Station

The train is part of an ongoing refurbishment project co-funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, and TransLink. The West Coast Express Fleet Refurbishment Project was initiated to improve the quality of the WCE locomotive engines, which are nearing the end of their lifespan.

These engine refurbishments will:

• Reduce engine emissions by up to 50 per cent
• Extend the lifespan of the locomotive engines by 15 years
• Include newly painted locomotive cars

To ensure there is no disruption to West Coast Express service, all locomotives are being refurbished one at a time, with a spare train available for rotation into service. The entire project is expected to be completed by 2026. 

TransLink thanks its government partners for their contributions to the West Coast Express Fleet Refurbishment Project. Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), both the federal and provincial governments are helping improve customer experience and the reliability of the WCE fleet for years to come. This project was also made possible through funding from the Mayors’ 10-Year Vision.

Quick facts:

• With 116,000 boardings on the West Coast Express in May 2023, ridership increased nearly 55 per cent more than May 2022.
• West Coast Express is a weekday commuter rail service that runs 69 km between Mission and Vancouver.
• West Coast Express has been serving the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver since 1995, with over 2.6 million boardings per year.

Quotes:

The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities –
“The unveiling of the first newly-refurbished West Coast Express locomotive marks a big step for an important commuter route in the Lower Mainland. These upgrades will increase the life span of the operating fleet, support longer trains to accommodate more people, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. We are proud to support cleaner, more resilient transportation options that align with ridership demand and help Canada achieve its climate goals.”

Ron McKinnon, Member of Parliament for Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam –
“Today’s locomotive unveiling represents our government’s commitment to building greener and better connected communities. This is a project that will help more commuters in Metro Vancouver get to their destinations efficiently, provide quality alternatives to vehicular travel, and help us take tangible steps towards our emissions-reduction goals. We will continue to invest in projects that make life easier for Canadians while championing sustainability.”

Bob D’Eith, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure –
“We understand people are busy and they rely on public transit to get around the Lower Mainland. By improving the quality and frequency of the West Coast Express trains, we are making it easier and more environmentally friendly for people in suburban areas to reach downtown Vancouver to access their workplaces, new job opportunities, and schools.”

Brad West, Chair, Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation –
“Restoring West Coast Express trips to pre-pandemic levels is welcome news for the commuters throughout Metro Vancouver who rely on this important service each week. As we look to the future, maintaining and improving public transit across our region is vital to meet the demands of our growing communities.”

Kevin Quinn, CEO, TransLink –
“The West Coast Express has been moving thousands of Metro Vancouver residents for nearly 30 years and we are pleased to put five trains back in service for the first time since 2020. Over the last several months, we’ve seen ridership on the service steadily increase and we’re taking steps to keep it a reliable transit experience for our customers across the region.”

More information:
West Coast Express
Transport 2050
Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program
Public Transit Infrastructure Stream

Media contact:
TransLink Media Relations
E: media@translink.ca