Columbia station (SkyTrain)

Columbia is an underground station on the Expo Line of Metro Vancouver's SkyTrain rapid transit system. The station is located on Columbia Street in New Westminster, British Columbia, and is a major transfer point between the two branches of the Expo Line, which separate from the main line at the flying junction just east of the station, with one terminating at King George station in Surrey and the other at Production Way–University station in Burnaby.

Columbia
SkyTrain station
Platform level at Columbia station
Location	435 Columbia Street, New Westminster
Coordinates	49.20476°N 122.906161°W
Owned by	TransLink
Platforms	Side platforms
Tracks	2
Construction
Structure type	Underground
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Station code	CO
Fare zone	2
History
Opened	February 14, 1989
Previous names	4th Street (planning)
Passengers
2019[1]	1,640,000  2.5%
Rank	34 of 53
Services
Preceding station   TransLink   Following station New Westminster toward Waterfront Expo Line Surrey Scott Road toward King George Expo Line Lougheed Sapperton toward Production Way–University

4th Street entrance

Clarkson Street entrance

History

Columbia station was built between 1988 and 1989,[2] and served as the system's temporary terminus (replacing New Westminster station) until it was extended to Scott Road station the following year, following the completion of the SkyBridge. During planning and construction, it was known as "4th Street",[3] but was ultimately named after Columbia Street.

In 2002, the station became a major transfer point between two SkyTrain lines as the Millennium Line was interlined with the portion of the Expo Line that ran between Waterfront station and this station. At the same time, the transfer point for regional buses from Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody was moved north to Braid and Lougheed Town Centre stations. In 2016, the original Millennium Line service than ran between Waterfront and VCC–Clark via Columbia was replaced by an Expo Line branch with service between Waterfront and Production Way–University.[4]

Structure and design

Columbia station was built horizontally on a slope, so that the inbound platform in the north is underground, while the outbound platform in the south is predominantly at grade. The track at both ends of the station dips underground below Clarkson Street.

During construction, the station was not planned to be a major transfer point and was built with side platforms, which prevents cross-platform transfers. There is also only one escalator at the station, which leads up to the inbound platform. A second up escalator to the outbound platform is proposed as part of Expo Line upgrades.[5]

Station information

Station layout

S	Street level	4th Street entrance
T	Upper concourse	Compass vending machines, fare gates (eastbound), cinema, shops
	Side platform; doors will open on the right
	Platform 1 Inbound	← ■ Expo Line towards Waterfront (New Westminster)
	Platform 2 Outbound	■ Expo Line towards King George (Scott Road) and Production Way–University (Sapperton) →
	Side platform; doors will open on the right
M	Mall level	Columbia Street entrance Connect to lower street level for platform access
S	Street	Clarkson Street entrance Connect inbound and outbound platforms

Entrances

• 4th Street entrance: located at the east side of the station. Unlike the other two entrances, the entrance from 4th Street is located above the platform level. There is no elevator or escalator at this entrance.
• Clarkson Street entrance: connects Clarkson Street with the station through a series of stairs. The entrance is located at the north end of the lower street level, at the opposite end from the Columbia Street entrance.
• Columbia Street entrance : connects the west side of the station with Columbia Street, half a level above, through a small shopping mall. An elevator is provided by the mall for station access. However, since this elevator is not a property of TransLink, the reliability of this accessible entrance is not guaranteed and it had been reported that the elevator can be out of service for an extended amount of time.[6] An up escalator is provided between the lower street level and the inbound platform only. Passengers accessing the outbound platform must climb up a full flight of 36 stairs.[6]

Transit connections

• Local transit connection is provided on Columbia Street in front of the entrance:[7]
  • 103 Quayside
  • 105 New Westminster Station
  • 109 New Westminster Station
  • 109 Lougheed Station
  • N19 Downtown

• Transit connection to uptown New Westminster is available on the opposite side of 4th Street:
  • 103 Victoria Hill
  • 105 Uptown

References

1. "2019 Transit Service Performance Review – SkyTrain Stations Ranked by Annual Boardings" (PDF). translink.ca. TransLink. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
2. "The Buzzer" (PDF). www.translink.ca. BC Transit. February 24, 1989. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
3. "1986 SkyTrain photos from Alan M". Buzzer Blog. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
4. "Changes Coming to SkyTrain October 22". TransLink. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
5. "Expo Line Upgrade Strategy Project Summary". TransLink. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
6. "Expo Line Station Review". Translink. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
7. "Columbia Station" (PDF). TransLink. April 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.