SkyTrain's mysterious 'Synthetic' station is a software glitch on new Mark V trains
The phantom destination has been appearing on passenger information displays for a month, sparking online speculation about alternate realities and the matrix.
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The word "Synthetic" appearing as a destination on some SkyTrain passenger information displays is a software glitch affecting a small number of Mark V trains, TransLink confirmed this week.
Passengers have noticed the phantom station listed at the end of the line on certain new Mark V cars over the last month, sparking playful online speculation. Some suggested it was part of the Backrooms internet mythology. Others floated theories about the matrix, the Harry Potter universe, or simply a computer error.
TransLink's IT team has been working to fix the bug, though it has persisted despite their efforts. "The word 'Synthetic' appearing as a destination on some SkyTrain passenger information displays is the result of a minor software glitch affecting a small number of Mark V trains," Jawn Jang, a TransLink spokesperson, told Vancouver Is Awesome.
The transit authority leaned into the moment on social media, posting a playful video. "Thanks for catching the glitch on our Mark 5 LCD's. We're checking out Synthetic Station now boss," TransLink wrote. The source did not specify how many Mark V trains are affected, when the glitch first appeared, or the expected timeline for a full fix.
How many Mark V trains are affected by the software glitch?
When is the fix expected to be completed?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
