TransLink seeking ideas to improve amenities at SkyTrain stations and bus loops

New and improved creature comforts for SkyTrain stations and bus exchanges continue to be a major priority for TransLink.

For its 2019 Open Call For Innovation, the public transit authority wants individuals, companies, non-profits, non-government organizations, and academic institutions to submit their proposals for improving customer amenities at transit hubs in new innovative ways.

See also

• TransLink is asking the public to submit innovative ideas to improve transport
• TransLink considering bundling transit services with car and bike share
• TransLink announces free Wi-Fi for the entire public transit system
• TransLink approves introduction of washrooms into the public transit system
• New real-time next train signs, speakers, and CCTV coming to 33 SkyTrain stations
• SkyTrain station platform screen doors are unfeasible, says TransLink

This follows a number of announcements last year on new amenities such as real-time next train digital countdown signs for the Expo and Millennium lines, the gradual implementation of systemwide free Wi-Fi, and the introduction of public washrooms at major hubs.

“Every day, there are almost half-a-million people who use transit stops and stations throughout Metro Vancouver,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond, in a statement.

“We are looking for ways to help our customers with their everyday needs while they are on the go. With all transit journeys beginning and ending at a transit stop or station, we want to generate new ideas for improving our customers’ experience while they are waiting for a bus or SkyTrain, or passing through our stations.”

To go beyond the standard amenities transit systems around the world are known for, submissions to TransLink should examine innovative technologies, business models, and partnerships to enhance the journey of passengers.

Successful applicants will be invited to present their ideas to a panel of judges, with winners offered support to help further develop their ideas, access to TransLink assets to test or demonstrate their idea, and opportunities to pilot the idea on a larger scale in partnership with TransLink.

This is the public transit authority’s second annual Open Innovation Call; last year’s inaugural call led to a joint pilot project in partnership with Evo, Modo and Mobi to explore ways to bundle mobility services for the customers of each company.

TransLink says a total of 90 submissions were evaluated and selected by an internal panel in the first Innovation Call launched in the middle of 2018.

The deadline for submissions for the 2019 call is Tuesday, April 30.

See also

• TransLink is asking the public to submit innovative ideas to improve transport
• TransLink considering bundling transit services with car and bike share
• TransLink announces free Wi-Fi for the entire public transit system
• TransLink approves introduction of washrooms into the public transit system
• New real-time next train signs, speakers, and CCTV coming to 33 SkyTrain stations
• SkyTrain station platform screen doors are unfeasible, says TransLink