Premier

Premier Announces New SkyTrain and High-Tech Bombardier Manufacturing Plant for Lower Mainland

24/06/1998

VANCOUVER - One of the world's leading mass transportation companies, Bombardier Inc., has signed a major agreement with the B.C. government to build rapid transit cars and systems in the Lower Mainland, Premier Glen Clark announced today. The agreement sets the course for a summer start to construction of a new SkyTrain line along the Broadway-Lougheed-Coquitlam-New Westminster corridor. "This is world class transit for a world class city," said Joy MacPhail, minister responsible for the rapid transit project, "and Bombardier's decision to locate its global centre of production for SkyTrain here will generate major economic benefits and jobs for British Columbians. "In fact, the project will provide 8,500 direct and indirect person-years of employment and half a billion dollars of income for British Columbians." "Approximately 740 permanent, full-time direct and indirect jobs will be created through manufacturing in B.C. and through a new operations and maintenance centre for the system. Another 2,700 jobs will be generated during construction," Clark said. "Employees at the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant will research and develop, engineer, market and promote, and manufacture SkyTrain products for customers around the globe." "Greater Vancouver residents will get the fast, clean and efficient transit they need with SkyTrain serving their communities in the next couple of years," MacPhail said. "Portions of the alignment could be up and running in fall of 2000 with completion of this phase expected in 2001, a full five years earlier than originally planned." Bombardier Transportation President Jean-Yves LeBlanc said, "Bombardier is very interested in the business potential British Columbia offers. Some of the benefits to investing here that appeal to us are the highly skilled workers, proximity to Pacific Rim and U.S. markets, and the province's overall economic potential. I look forward to working with Premier Clark to get this exciting project under way as soon as possible." As part of the agreement, the provincial government will purchase an estimated 80 new high-tech SkyTrain Mark II vehicles for the system. The agreement also includes a commitment by Bombardier to increase its business with B.C. suppliers of SkyTrain products and other Bombardier product lines. The manufacturing facility alone will purchase $26 million annually of products from B.C. suppliers. "Greater Vancouver residents have told us they want action now to deal with traffic gridlock and smog from car emissions," MacPhail said. "They've also said they prefer SkyTrain over other transit options. This government is responding appropriately by moving quickly to provide effective rapid transit that people want and need." Market research produced by Canadian Facts last month showed 92 per cent of Greater Vancouver residents believe the provincial government should take action to reduce traffic congestion; 79 per cent want no further delays; and 71 per cent prefer SkyTrain over other types of light rail transit. "In addition to the line that we're building beginning this summer, we will work with the Vancouver Airport, the 2010 Olympics Committee and local authorities to examine ways to accelerate construction of a SkyTrain link from downtown Vancouver to Richmond and the airport," MacPhail said. "This project benefits all British Columbians," Clark said. "It provides Greater Vancouver residents with rapid transit for a new millennium. It reduces traffic congestion for the entire Lower Mainland and improves air quality throughout the region. And it will generate economic growth for the province as a whole and good jobs for British Columbians." Construction on the $1.17-billion project between New Westminster and Boundary Road and on to Clark Drive will begin this summer. - 30 - For more information, visit our Website at: www.lrtprojectoffice.com Contact: Trish Webb Linda Coates LRT Project Office Bombardier Inc. (604) 739-4783 (514) 441-3050