SkyTrain begins five months of overnight testing for driverless-train control system
Overnight work on Expo and Millennium lines through early 2027; residents near outdoor sections may notice trains at unusual hours as new $360 million operations centre prepares to take control.
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SkyTrain begins overnight testing this weekend for its new Operations Control Centre, the facility that will manage driverless operations on the Expo and Millennium lines.
Testing runs from 1:45 to 5:45 a.m. Saturday, 1:45 to 6:45 a.m. Sunday, and select Mondays from 12:45 to 4:45 a.m. The work is expected to last about five months through early 2027. Every train model used on the two lines will be tested; no passengers will be aboard.
TransLink is conducting the work overnight to avoid disrupting regular service. The facility will progressively assume control of trains during testing, with SkyTrain staff checking how it handles everyday operations, maintenance, and emergencies.
Nearby residents living close to outdoor sections of the Expo and Millennium line guideways may notice trains running at hours when tracks would normally be quiet. TransLink will rotate testing between different network sections to limit disturbance and will turn off alarms and announcements where possible.
The new Operations Control Centre, opening in 2027, replaces a facility built in the 1980s. The SkyTrain network has grown to roughly four times its original size, but the operations control space hasn't expanded since 1985. The new centre cost $360 million and is designed to improve reliability and help the system accommodate expanding service, including the Millennium Line Broadway extension opening in late 2027 and the Expo Line Surrey-Langley extension opening in late 2029.
The facts
When does SkyTrain's overnight testing begin?
Testing begins on the weekend of October 3–4, 2026, with runs from 1:45 to 5:45 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, and 1:45 to 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, followed by select Mondays from 12:45 to 4:45 a.m.
How long will the testing last?
The testing is expected to last about five months through early 2027.
What is the cost of the new Operations Control Centre?
The new Operations Control Centre cost $360 million.
Which SkyTrain lines will be affected by the testing?
The Expo and Millennium lines will undergo testing as the new Operations Control Centre prepares to manage driverless operations on both lines.
