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First Passengers Mark Canada Line Milestone

Nov. 12, 2008, Richmond, B.C. - Premier Gordon Campbell, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable James Moore and provincial Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon and project partners were among the first passengers on a trial run of the Canada Line from Bridgeport Station to the Vancouver International Airport Station today.


November 12, 2008  By Carey Fredericks

Nov. 12, 2008, Richmond, B.C. – Premier Gordon Campbell was joined
by the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable
James Moore, on behalf of Canada's Transport and Infrastructure Minister, John
Baird, as well as provincial Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin
Falcon and project partners as the first passengers on a trial run of the
Canada Line from Bridgeport Station to the Vancouver International Airport
(YVR) Station today.

        "The Canada Line will be a fast, convenient and inexpensive travel option
for commuters and visitors, carrying riders from the airport or Richmond to
downtown Vancouver in just 25 minutes – about half the average time it takes
to drive the same distance," said Premier Campbell. "The Canada Line will
ensure reliable transportation for an estimated 100,000 riders every day by
2010 – and increasing to close to 125,000 per day by 2021."

        "Today's trial run celebrates not only a milestone for this essential
transit project, but also the important role that the Canada Line will play in
easing traffic congestion, cutting commute times, reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and clearing the air for residents and visitors to the Greater
Vancouver Area," said Minister Moore. "This project reflects our government's
commitment to working with our provincial and municipal partners to improve
British Columbia's essential transportation infrastructure."

Testing and commissioning of the trains on the Bridgeport Station to
YVR-Airport Station section of the Canada Line is almost complete. Testing is
now underway on the Richmond and south Vancouver sections of the line.
Construction is also progressing on schedule for the 16 stations along the
line.

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When finished in 2009, the Canada Line will carry people between the
centre of Richmond, YVR and Vancouver's Waterfront Centre in 25 minutes or
less.
      
 "The Canada Line has been a regional priority for decades, and TransLink
is proud to be part of the partnership that is making it a reality," said
TransLink CEO Thomas Prendergast. "Some transit services become icons that
people around the world associate with the cities they serve, and I have no
doubt that the Canada Line will very quickly become one for Metro Vancouver."
       
"With the beginning of Canada Line operations in 2009, YVR will join the
ranks of major international airports with direct rapid transit links to
downtown centres, and we know our passengers and Sea Island employees will
appreciate this new convenient transportation option," said Larry Berg,
President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "The Canada Line will also
help us deliver on our long-term gateway and sustainability strategies by
reducing vehicle trips to Sea Island."

The Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the South
Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink) and the Vancouver
Airport Authority are proud partners in the Canada Line, which is also
supported by the cities of Vancouver and Richmond.
       
The project is overseen by Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc. (CLCO), a
subsidiary of TransLink. The Line is being designed, built, operated,
maintained and partially financed by InTransitBC.

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