Hitachi Rail technology drives Vancouver SkyTrain fleet expansion milestone

Onboard technology delivering more trains per hour, better reliability, and a seamless travel experience for Metro Vancouver’s transit riders.

• Hitachi Rail’s SelTrac™ Vehicle On-Board Controllers (VOBCs), are now operational on the first new train in service for the SkyTrain fleet expansion in Vancouver.
• Advanced onboard equipment ensures reliable, efficient and driverless train operations on the Expo and Millennium Lines.
• For 40 years, Hitachi Rail has delivered state-of-the-art train control technology for the SkyTrain network. One of the first driverless systems in the world, the network averaged 481,000 weekday boardings in 2025.

Metro Vancouver’s first new train has begun passenger service on the Expo and Millennium Lines using SelTrac™, Hitachi Rails state-of-the-art signalling technology. The successful deployment of two Vehicle On-Board Controllers (VOBCs) on the first of the 47 new Mark V trains enabled it to seamlessly enter service as part of a major expansion of the SkyTrain network.

Hitachi Rail’s cutting-edge SelTrac™ Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) was developed in Canada and provides the operational backbone of the SkyTrain network. The technology installed on the new train communicates with the existing signalling system from Hitachi Rail. It provides real-time information on train locations that allows trains to run safely, increase service reliability and provide improved passenger experience.

This latest milestone builds on a 40-year relationship between TransLink and Hitachi Rail that began with the original Expo line opening in 1986, as one of the world’s first driverless systems running on Hitachi Rail technology. The technology has evolved with the SkyTrain system expansions. The SelTrac™ CBTC system also provides automatic train control for complex transit systems around the world, including in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Dubai, and New York.

This fleet expansion is a cornerstone of Metro Vancouver’s 10-Year Transportation Vision, enabling increased service frequency and supporting future extensions that comprise a 28% increase in the length of the SkyTrain network. The system expansion encompasses the Broadway Subway and Surrey Langley SkyTrain projects, both to be equipped with Hitachi Rail’s SelTrac™ CBTC technology.

“Hitachi Rail’s 40+ year partnership with Metro Vancouver’s transit system is testament to our onboard technology developed right here in Canada,” said Ziad Rizk, Managing Director of Urban Rail Signalling at Hitachi Rail. “This milestone signifies the next significant stride in our shared journey that commenced in 1986 with the groundbreaking introduction of SkyTrain, the world’s first driverless train system. Our innovative technology seamlessly integrates new vehicles into service, reflecting the collaborative efforts of TransLink, Hitachi Rail, and our valued partners. Together, we enhance the passenger experience across one of Canada’s busiest transit networks.”