Here is my SkyTrain 411 – what you need to know. We lived in Surrey for our first six months in BC. My partner and I both work downtown and it was only practical for us to use the SkyTrain everyday to get to work, from one end of the city to the other end. I am happy to say I am a pretty experienced SkyTrain rider.
What is the SkyTrain? The SkyTrain is Vancouver’s rapid transit system, which is part of a larger public transportation system run by Translink. It is cool, because the trains are completely automated and driverless. The newest line, the Canada Line connects downtown Vancouver with the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The trains start around 5:00am and stop at about 12:00am, check the schedules and maps for the first and last trains.
Fare Zones: The fares are based on the where you start and end your trip, check out the fare zone map. The system has 3 zones – named zone 1, zone 2, and zone 3. The fare you pay depends on where you intend to travel. For example, if you are travelling within one zone, you pay a 1 zone fare. If you are travelling from zone 1 to zone 3, you pay a 3 zone fare.
Fares: Fares can be purchased in four main forms: single fares, faresaver booklets (10 single tickets), day passes, and monthly passes. There are also student and employer programs that offer savings. Faresaver booklets and monthly passes must be purchased from faredealers, as there are only machines in the stations. The machines accept coins, credit cards, and debit cards. You can also pay exact cash fare when boarding buses.
Single Fares
|
Adult |
Concession
(Students with GoCard & Seniors) |
Accessibility Passengers (HandyDART) |
| 1 Zone |
$2.50 |
$1.75 |
$2.50 |
| 2 Zone |
$3.75 |
$2.50 |
$2.50 |
| 3 Zone |
$5.00 |
$3.50 |
$3.75 |
| All Zones (After 6:30pm, Weekends & Holidays) |
$2.50 |
$1.75 |
|
| 4 Zones or more (specially equipped vehicles) |
|
|
$5.00 |
| DayPass |
$9.00 |
$7.00 |
|
Proof of Payment System: The whole SkyTrain system is based on a Proof of Payment System. This means all passengers must pay or validate their fare and have proof of this while they are on a train or a bus. Officers do random checks at the entrances of stations or on the trains to ensure passengers are compliant with the system.
Parking at SkyTrain Stations
Parking beside SkyTrain stations is only available at the stations below. Translink has Park and Ride lots, where customers can park but they are not ALL located beside SkyTrain stations. Some are free parking lots.
University Station - Production Way (Lougheed Highway at Production Way, Burnaby)
Hours: Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 6am to 11pm. Saturday & Sunday closed.
Fees: $1 per hour; $4 all day 6am-6pm; $2 6pm-11pm; $85 monthly random spots; $140/monthly reserved spots
Bridgeport Station (8888 River Road, Richmond)
Hours: Available 7 days a week
Fees: $2/day
Scott Road Station (110th Ave. at Scott Rd, Surrey)
Hours: Available 7 days a week
Fees: $2 all day; $40/28-consecutive-day pass; $55/28-consecutive-day premium parking
King George Station (King George Highway, between 98th and 100th Ave, Surrey)
Hours: Available 7 days a week
Fees: Impark Lot#1303
TIP: Translink has a trip planner on their website, which is very helpful if you do not know your way around.
More Information? http://www.translink.ca
