The Skytrain:

The Skytrain Rapid Transit System (ALRT) opened in 1986 to coincide with Expo 86 (The Vancouver World's Fair). The system was Canadian designed & built by transportation & Aerospace giant, Bombardier. It is a totally automated transit system. There are no drivers, and even though it is a light rail system, it supposedly has the same capacity as a conventional heavy rail system. This is because computerisation allows trains to run much more frequently, than on a conventional system. Unlike the initial BART experience in San Francisco, the software seems to work quite well, but then again, the technology had another 10 years to develop. The system has been in operation for 15 years with minimal breakdowns. Vancouver & Kuala Lumpur currently have the largest versions of the Skytrain system, Vancouver's being the most extensive. It is the longest elevated light rail system in the world. There are other existing systems in Detroit and Scarborough, Ontario, on a smaller scale, and one is planned for New York. The system is much faster (90 Km/h or 50 Mph) than conventional Light Rail Systems. It is efficient and has proven safe, except for the odd suicide, and accidental death. Unfortunately for local taxpayers, it is also expensive to build, but despite that, I personally think it was a good decision to go with this technology. The trains are powered by Linear Induction Motors, which means they are effectively propelled by magnetism. The system is elevated for most of its route. It is subway in downtown Vancouver & downtown New Westminster.

If you have always had a desire to be a train driver, the Skytrain is your chance to fulfill your fantasy. Since there are no drivers, you can sit in the seat that would normally be occupied by one. This is especially true on the new type trains. If you board the system in midday, at one of the terminal points (King George, Waterfront or Commercial), chances are you can grab this seat, or boot some kid out of it. I actually had to race a kid to this seat to get one of pictures depicted below. (At least he didn't start crying).

The decision to go with this technology was the decision of the Social Credit Government of the day. It was strongly criticized by the opposition NDP at the time, as too expensive. The NDP was in power when the decision on the Millennium Line was made. The opposition Liberals (Social Credit reborn under a different name) criticized it as too expensive. So goes BC Politics. In my opinion, the longer you wait, the more expensive it is, so you might as well bite the bullet and go for it. Its the price we pay for being able to get around & keeping the air breathable at the same time.

About 150,000 people ride the system every day.