TransLink Skytrain Commercial – Broadway Station

Train to: Waterfront	Commercial–Broadway	Train to: King George & Production Way–University
Next Station: Main Street–Science World		Next Station: Nanaimo

Train to: VCC–Clark	Commercial–Broadway	Train to: Lafarge Lake–Douglas
Next Station: VCC–Clark		Next Station: Renfrew

General Information
Address	1725 E. Broadway 2550 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC
Owner	TransLink (1999–present) BC Transit (1985–1999)
Operator	British Columbia Rapid Transit Company
Lines served
Bus connections	9, 20, 99, N9, N20
Fare Zone	1
Platforms	5 (4 island, 1 side)
Entrances	4
Construction
Structure type	Elevated and at-grade
Levels	4
Architects	AECOM Canada (Platform 5) Allen Parker & Associates (Platforms 3 & 4) Architektengruppen U-Bahn (Platforms 3 & 4) Baker McGarva Hart Inc. (Platforms 1 & 2)
Annual Traffic
Passengers	▼8,102,800 (2019) ▲8,141,300 (2018) ▲8,031,200 (2017) 7,471,700 (2016)
Ranking	3 out of 53
Other Information
Bike lockers	No
Bike Parkade	Yes (42 racks)
Park and Ride	No
Carsharing	No
Station codes	BW & CM
History
Opening date	December 11, 1985 (Platforms 3 & 4) August 31, 2002 (Platforms 1 & 2) February 2, 2019 (Platform 5)
Former services
Rebuilt	2008–2009, 2015–2019
Previous names	Broadway (1985–2009) Commercial Drive (2002–2009)

Commercial–Broadway is a SkyTrain station in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

It is one of the busiest stations on the SkyTrain network, with over 8 million passenger boardings in 2018 and an average of 30,000 passengers transferring between the Expo and Millennium lines each day. Approximately 20,000 passengers transfer between buses and the SkyTrain network daily at this station.

Station Details

Commercial–Broadway serves as a major transit hub in Vancouver as it connects to the 99 B-Line, the busiest bus route in Canada and the United States. In addition, it is a point of transfer for those commuting between Downtown Vancouver and the suburban areas of Burnaby and the Tri-Cities. The station is one of the busiest in the system, linking both the Expo and Millennium lines. The upper-level platforms, Platforms 3, 4 and 5, serve the Expo Line while the lower-level platform, Platforms 1 and 2, serve the Millennium Line. The 99 B-Line loads on E. Broadway.

Passengers transferring from the Millennium Line to the Expo Line are directed to Platform 5 for Waterfront-bound services and to Platform 4 for King George or Production Way–University services. Passengers transferring from the Expo Line on a Waterfront-bound train to the Millennium Line are directed to transfer through Platform 5 and for the 99 B-Line, through Platform 3. Passengers for Waterfront may board from either Platform 3 or 5.

Commercial–Broadway is also the only SkyTrain station on the network to have a SkyTrain Assistance Counter, which is staffed by SkyTrain Attendants during all station operating hours to provide transit information and other assistance.

Architecture

The lower level platforms and the station building (the original Commercial Drive Station) was designed by Baker McGarva Hart Inc. (now VIA Architecture). The station is made up of four major components: the platforms, the concourse, the bridge and the main concourse. The platform ceiling is lined by a series of steel tree structures bolted on top of concrete columns to support the lower roof steel canopy. The concourse above the platforms, connecting to the lower bridge over the Grandview Cut are lined with more steel tree structures to support the upper roof steel canopy. The bridge was originally made of two prefabricated steel trusses by George Third & Son of Vancouver. During station upgrade work, the bridge was expanded and the original steel trusses were removed. The main concourse is covered by a large steel canopy supported by five massive steel trees.

For Platform 5 and related works, AECOM Canada was the architecture firm responsible.

Like most of the above-ground SkyTrain stations completed during the initial 1985 phase, Commercial–Broadway uses the signature tubular steel hoop truss design, in which seven C-shaped hoop trusses support the platform roof. However, compared to the other stations that used this design, Commercial–Broadway was the only station to have its entire platform length covered, with nine C-shaped hoop trusses. Commercial–Broadway was no longer the only station to have a full nine set of C-shaped hoop trusses when station upgrade works were completed at Metrotown in 2018, which saw an extension of the roof structure.

The hoop trusses at Commercial–Broadway only do a 3/4 wrap-around as the station is next to the Safeway building. Thus, the roof for Platforms 3 and 4 was partially supported by the Safeway building itself. With the partial demolition of the Safeway building to make way for Platform 5, the hoop truss support had to be slowly transitioned over from the Safeway building to the Platform 5 roof, which presently supports Platform 3 and 4 roofing.

Public Art

In November 2005, two porcelain tile mosaics were added to the Commercial Drive side of the station. Both were made by local artist Liz Calvin, assisted by Glen Anderson. Both mosaics showcase the diversity of SkyTrain commuters and the nearby wildlife.

The first is titled Walking on Eggshells, located at the base of the escalator leading up to the overhead walkway over Broadway. The piece depicts a bicycle, skateboard, inline skate tracks, and footprints to depict commuters. The second piece is titled Where the Crow Flies and is located on the walkway over Grandview Cut. The piece depicts crows and the feathers were made through special hand-cut detailing.

In 2019, another public art piece was unveiled at Commercial–Broadway at Platform 5 and in the expanded concourse area on the Broadway side. The piece is titled Rule of the Trees by Tania Willard. Rule of the Trees is a series of laser-etched murals on the floor tiles and acts as a reminder of the balance between Indigenous land, forests, and ecosystems that were, are, and will be present when cities are built. The red poles that support the station structure are part of the artwork and represent signals.

History

The station was originally split into two separate stations. The upper-level platforms – Platforms 3 and 4 – opened as part of the Expo Line in 1985 as Broadway. The lower level platforms – Platforms 1 and 2 – opened with the Millennium Line in 2002 as Commercial Drive. The two stations were linked by a bridge connecting Commercial Drive up to street level and over the existing bridge over E. Broadway to Broadway Station. In 2009, the two stations joined as one to prevent confusion with Broadway–City Hall. Platform 5 on the upper-level portion of the station opened on February 2, 2019. The opening of Platform 5 made Commercial–Broadway the only station in the system to use the Spanish Solution, with doors opening on both sides for passengers to enter and exit. Commercial–Broadway is not the first station in the system to use the Spanish Solution however, as New Westminster used the Spanish Solution for about three years until the extension to Columbia was complete.

The lower level platforms served as the western terminus of the Millennium Line from 2002 until 2006 when the Millennium Line was extended west to VCC–Clark Station.

Prior to the October 22, 2016 SkyTrain network changes, Commercial–Broadway was one of three stations in the world where a line would pass the station twice in a pretzel configuration. The Millennium Line looped through both Platforms 1 & 2 and Platforms 3 & 4.

In October 2019, the SkyTrain Assistance Counter opened in the former retail space located after the Fare Paid Zone on the lower concourse. This was the first and only Assistance Counter on the SkyTrain network staffed by SkyTrain Attendants during all station operating hours and provides transit information, brochures and other in-person services.

Station Upgrades

To overcome crowding issues on the upper-level platforms and to improve efficiency, a new platform and new bridge were constructed and completed in early 2019.

Upgrades were done from 2008 to 2009 to improve the old Broadway side. Works included a new entrance at 10th Avenue, relocation of the elevator from the north end to the south end, new glass panels, and new tiling work on the concourse. These upgrades were part of the Phase 1 upgrades to the station.

Phase 2 of the upgrades called for a new east platform serving westbound Expo Line trains, a new pedestrian walkway over Broadway, a permanent queuing system for the 99 B-Line, new elevators and escalators, expanded concourse and entrances, and overall station design such as lighting and new secured bike parking spaces for 70+ bikes. Work began in 2015 and was initially scheduled for completion in 2017, but was pushed back to fall 2018. Planned completion was moved again to early 2019 with an opening date announced on January 22, 2019.

From September 15 to October 1, 2017, construction began on the second overhead walkway across Broadway. The works involved lifting 30,000-pound steel trusses into place, which resulted in temporary lane closures on Broadway as well as the relocation of the 9 and 99 bus stops, in addition to minor delays to Expo Line services. Full road closures occurred on September 30 and October 1 on Broadway to lift the remaining pieces into place.

Train testing for opening doors on both sides during revenue hours began on January 19th, 2019.

The new platform, Platform 5, opened on February 2, 2019. Expo Line trains bound for Waterfront open both doors to allow passengers to enter and exit on both sides. Other expanded areas of the station, such as the walkway expansion over the Grandview Cut, expanded Broadway concourse, and the new walkway over Broadway also opened on February 2.

In December 2019, work began on replacing the two escalators in the south stationhouse connecting Platforms 3 & 4.

Additional escalator replacement work began on December 18, 2023, with the replacement of the escalators leading from the concourse to Platforms 1 & 2. Work is expected to be complete in Fall 2025, which will be followed by the replacement of the escalators leading to the overhead walkway from the north stationhouse.

Bus Routes

The station serves as the eastern terminus of the 99 B-Line, the busiest route in the system that provides a direct and express connection to the University of British Columbia along the Broadway corridor, the second-largest employment area in British Columbia. In addition, local services connect at Commercial–Broadway with services located along both E. Broadway and Commercial Drive.

• 9 Boundary
• N9 Coquitlam Central Station

NightBus

• 20 SE Marine Drive
• N20 Victoria

NightBus

• 20 Downtown
• N20 Downtown

NightBus

• 9 Alma
• N9 Downtown

NightBus

• 99 B-Line

UBC

Bus Stop #58491
Commercial Drive & N. Grandview Highway

• Unloading Only:
  9 and 99

Bus Stop #58620
N. Grandview Highway & Commercial Drive

• 99 Layover Only

Bus Stop #58621
N. Grandview Highway & E. 8th Avenue

• 9 Layover Only

Bus Exchange Icons Legend

Bay number

Stop accessibility

SkyTrain Bus Bridge service boards at this bay

HandyDART service at this bay

West Vancouver Transit service at this bay

RapidBus service at this bay 99 UBC B-Line 99 B-Line service at this bay N35 SFU NightBus NightBus service at this bay Bus Stop #12345 Bus Stop ID number
(for stops without bay numbers)

Station Layout

T
	Side platform, doors will open on the right
	Platform 5 Platform 3	←	Expo Line towards Waterfront (Main Street–Science World)
	Island platform, doors will open on the left
	Platform 4		Expo Line towards King George (Nanaimo) → Expo Line towards Production Way–University (Nanaimo) →

S

Transit information Compass Ticket Vending Machines SkyTrain Assistance Counter Shops

T
	Platform 1 ←	Millennium Line towards VCC–Clark (VCC–Clark)
	Island platform, doors will open on the left
	Platform 2	Millennium Line towards Lafarge Lake–Douglas (Renfrew) →
X	Restricted

Commercial–Broadway Station Exits
	Commercial Drive	Buses Commercial Drive (The Drive) – Little Italy Central Valley Greenway
	E. Broadway (north)	Buses 99 B-Line Commercial Drive (The Drive) – Little Italy
	E. Broadway (south)	Buses
	E. 10th Avenue	Bike Parkade

Station Icons Legend Exit is on this level Buses available at this exit Accessible exit Park and Ride access at this exit Bike lockers located at this exit Bike racks located at this exit Bike Parkade located at this exit Emergency Refuge located at or near this exit

Specific services available only through this exit

First and Last Trains

Commercial–Broadway Station
	Weekdays	Saturdays	Sundays/Holidays
First Train to Waterfront	5:30 a.m.	6:31 a.m.	7:31 a.m.
Last Train to Waterfront	1:09 a.m.	1:09 a.m.	12:09 a.m.
First Train to King George	5:42 a.m.	6:58 a.m.	7:58 a.m.
Last Train to King George	1:26 a.m.	1:26 a.m.	12:26 a.m.
First Train to Production Way–University	5:46 a.m.	6:54 a.m.	7:54 a.m.
Last Train to Production Way–University	12:43 a.m. 12:51 a.m. on Fridays	12:51 a.m.	11:43 a.m.
First Train to Edmonds short-turn service	9:06 a.m.
Last Train to Edmonds short-turn service	9:48 a.m.
First Train to Lougheed Town Centre late-night service	12:53 a.m. 12:59 a.m. on Fridays	12:59 a.m.	11:53 a.m.
Last Train to Lougheed Town Centre late-night service	1:21 a.m. 1:22 a.m. on Fridays	1:22 a.m.	12:21 a.m.
	Weekdays	Saturdays	Sundays
First Train to VCC–Clark	5:32 a.m.	6:31 a.m.	7:31 a.m.
Last Train to VCC–Clark	1:33 a.m.	1:33 a.m.	12:33 a.m.
First Train to Lafarge Lake–Douglas	5:33 a.m.	6:32 a.m.	7:32 a.m.
Last Train to Lafarge Lake–Douglas	1:24 a.m. 1:23 a.m. on Fridays	1:23 a.m.	12:24 a.m.
Last Train to Lougheed Town Centre late-night service	1:31 a.m.	1:31 a.m.	12:31 a.m.

AM Peak Shuttle Service

One-way shuttle service running between Commercial–Broadway and Waterfront during AM peak hours.

Due to low ridership associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, this shuttle service is currently suspended. However, the departures remained listed on timetables until they were removed in September 2021.

Commercial–Broadway to Waterfront
	First Train	Last Train
AM Peak Hours	7:18 a.m.	9:23 a.m.

Nearby Attractions

• Rio Theatre
• Commercial Drive (The Drive) – Little Italy

Station Maps

• Commercial–Broadway Station Area Map (August 2019)
• Commercial–Broadway Station Area Map (December 2016)
• Commercial–Broadway Station Accessibility Map

References

v·d·e Operations Lines Rolling stock 1984 UTDC ICTS Mark I – 1985 UTDC ICTS Mark I – 1991 UTDC ICTS Mark I – 1995 Bombardier ICTS Mark I – 2001 Bombardier ART Mark II – 2008 Hyundai Rotem EMU – 2009 Bombardier ART Mark II – 2015 Bombardier Innovia Metro Mark III – 2018 Bombardier Innovia Metro Mark III – 2019 Hyundai Rotem EMU Yards Operations and Maintenance Centre – Coquitlam Maintenance Centre – Canada Line Operations and Maintenance Centre Stations Waterfront – Vancouver City Centre – Yaletown–Roundhouse – Olympic Village – Broadway–City Hall – King Edward – Oakridge–41st Avenue – Langara–49th Avenue – Marine Drive – Bridgeport – Capstan Way – Aberdeen – Lansdowne – Richmond–Brighouse Airport branch ← Towards Waterfront – Bridgeport – Templeton – Sea Island Centre – YVR–Airport Waterfront – Burrard – Granville – Stadium–Chinatown – Main Street–Science World – Commercial–Broadway – Nanaimo – 29th Avenue – Joyce–Collingwood – Patterson – Metrotown – Royal Oak – Edmonds – 22nd Street – New Westminster – Columbia – Scott Road – Gateway – Surrey Central – King George Production Way branch ← Towards Waterfront – Columbia – Sapperton – Braid – Lougheed Town Centre – Production Way–University Arbutus – South Granville – Oak–VGH – Broadway–City Hall – Mount Pleasant – Great Northern Way–Emily Carr – VCC–Clark – Commercial–Broadway – Renfrew – Rupert – Gilmore – Brentwood Town Centre – Holdom – Sperling–Burnaby Lake – Lake City Way – Production Way–University – Lougheed Town Centre – Burquitlam – Moody Centre – Inlet Centre – Coquitlam Central – Lincoln – Lafarge Lake–Douglas Transit Services Fare Information – Cash Fares – Fare Structure – Universal Pass (U-Pass) – West Coast Express Fares Plans and Projects Expo Line Fraser Highway Extension – Millennium Line Broadway Extension – Pattullo Bridge Replacement Other Divisions Cycling Network – Roads and Bridges – Transit Police

v·d·e Transit Centres Burnaby – Hamilton – Port Coquitlam – Richmond – Surrey – Vancouver Closed Transit Centres North Vancouver – Oakridge Under Contract First Transit – West Vancouver Transit Former Contractors Bonny's Taxi Ltd. – Bowen Island Community Transit – DW Services Ltd. – Metro Shuttle Service Ltd. – First Canada Current Fleet 2101–2199, 2201–2289 2501–2540 2541–2574 3309–3358 7447–7499, 7501–7504 8102–8117 8118–8156 9277–9285 9401–9499, 9501–9542 9543–9581, 9583–9590 9605–9699, 9701–9725 9726–9791 9797–9799 12001–12025 14001–14045 15001–15021 16001–16051 16101–16130, 16137 16201–16226 18001–18063 18101–18206 18301–18404 18451–18473 19001–19047 19101–19147 19301–19302 19303–19304 19401–19432 21001–21025 21401–21425 22001–22015 23001–23015 23201–23215 Community Shuttle Fleet 16501–16562 17506–17564 18510–18527 19503–19535, 19538–19549 19550–19554 21501–21562 23601–23606 23651–23665 24601–24634 Retired Fleet 1158–1192 1205–1223 1209–1210 2701–2947 3001–3021 3101–3210 3211–3257 3258–3282 3283–3299, 3301–3308 4101–4115 4116–4143 4144–4192 4193–4199, 4201–4278 5501–5508 5509–5521 6601–6630 7101–7150 7151–7197, 7199–7243 7244–7246 7247–7297 7298 7301–7374 7375–7399, 7401–7429 7430–7446 8001–8021 8022–8047 8048–8099, 8101 9101–9115 9116–9127 9201–9276 Retired Community Shuttle Fleet S001 S002 (1st) S002 (2nd) S003–S004 S006–S012 S013–S016 S017 S018–S056 S057–S059 S060–S061 S062–S102 S200–S236 S237–S257 S258–S301 S302–S356 S357–S380 S381 S382–S393 S410–S434 S435–S464 S465–S471 S501–S544 S1301–S1320 S1321 S1322–S1325 Paint Schemes Other List of Current TransLink Ad-Wraps – List of Former TransLink Ad-Wraps – RapidBus – TransLink Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic – TransLink Vancouver 2010 Olympic Operations – Trolleybuses in Vancouver SeaBus Current Fleet Burrard Beaver – Burrard Pacific Breeze – Burrard Otter II – Burrard Chinook Retired Fleet Burrard Otter Terminals Lonsdale Quay – Waterfront Station Bus Loops and Exchanges Vancouver 29th Avenue Station – Blanca Loop – Boundary Loop – Burrard Station – Commercial–Broadway Station – Dunbar Loop – Joyce Station – Knight Street–Marine Drive – Kootenay Loop – Main Street Station – Marine Drive Station – Marpole Loop – Nanaimo Station – Stanley Park Loop – UBC Exchange – Waterfront Station Burnaby & New West 22nd Street Station – Braid Station – Brentwood Station – Edmonds Station – Lougheed Station – New Westminster Station – Production Way Station – Metrotown Station – SFU Exchange – Sperling Station Tri-Cities Burquitlam Station – Coquitlam Central Station – Moody Centre Station – Port Coquitlam Station Richmond Bridgeport Station – Richmond–Brighouse Station – Steveston Exchange North Shore Capilano University – Lonsdale Quay – Lynn Valley Centre – Park Royal – Phibbs Exchange Pitt Meadows & Maple Ridge Haney Place – Maple Meadows Station – Pitt Meadows Station South of Fraser Carvolth Exchange – Guildford Exchange – Ladner Exchange – Langley Centre – Newton Exchange – Scott Road Station – Scottsdale Exchange – South Delta Exchange – South Surrey Park and Ride – Surrey Central Station – White Rock Centre Former Exchanges Airport Station – Brentwood Mall – Coquitlam Station – Coquitlam Recreation Centre – Coquitlam Town Centre – East Guildford Park and Ride – Lougheed Mall – Lougheed Park and Ride – Matthews Exchange – Meadow Ridge Centre – Pitt Meadows Park and Ride – Port Moody Station – PNE Park and Ride – Port Coquitlam Centre – Renfrew Loop – Richmond Centre – Richmond Exchange – Sexsmith Park and Ride – South Richmond Park and Ride – Upper Zoo Loop – Walnut Grove Park and Ride Routes R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Conventional 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 14 15 16 17 19 20 22 25 26 27 28 29 32 33 41 44 49 50 80 84 99 100 101 104 106 110 112 116 119 123 128 129 130 133 134 136 143 144 145 150 151 152 153 155 156 159 160 179 183 188 191 209 210 211 212 222 228 229 230 231 232 236 240 241 245 246 247 249 250 253 254 255 257 301 310 311 312 314 316 319 320 321 323 324 325 326 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C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24 C25 C26 C27 C28 C29 C30 C31 C35 C36 C37 C38 C40 C41 C43 C44 C45 C46 C47 C48 C49 C50 C51 C52 C53 C60 C61 C62 C63 C64 C70 C71 C73 C74 C75 C76 C84 C86 C87 C88 C89 C90 C92 C93 C94 C95 C96 C98 C99 N6 N16 – Games Express – Metrotown Shuttle – North Vancouver Games Express – Sexsmith Park & Ride Shuttle – TrainBus Transit Services Fare Information – Cash Fares – Fare Structure – Universal Pass (U-Pass) – West Coast Express Fares Plans and Projects Expo Line Fraser Highway Extension – Millennium Line Broadway Extension – Pattullo Bridge Replacement Other Divisions Cycling Network – Roads and Bridges – Transit Police