SkyTrain safety incidents doubled since before the pandemic, report says
Technical Safety BC and TransLink issued a joint call to action on SkyTrain safety in October 2026, pointing to a report showing the incident rate on the Expo and Millennium lines doubled between 2016 to 2019 and 2023 to 2025.
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Technical Safety BC and TransLink issued a joint call to action on SkyTrain safety in October 2026, saying safety incidents on the Expo and Millennium lines have risen since the pandemic ended. The Surrey Citizen reported on October 29 that a new report counted 122 incidents involving people making physical contact with the SkyTrain between 2016 and 2025.
When adjusted for ridership, the average incident rate from 2023 to 2025 was double the pre-pandemic rate recorded between 2016 and 2019, according to the report. Human behaviour was the leading factor in every incident. The Surrey Citizen reported that in 100 per cent of all 122 cases, the railway safety systems were operating as designed, including the systems that detect when something enters the guideway and trigger the train's emergency brakes.
Where incidents happen
Of the 122 incidents, 63 per cent occurred in the guideway, the area around the tracks. The Surrey Citizen reported that nearly half of those guideway incidents, 47 per cent, were fatal, and eight per cent resulted in severe injuries. The remaining 37 per cent occurred on platforms, where 23 per cent led to moderate to major injuries, including people standing too close to the edge or trying to stop train doors from closing.
Derek Patterson, VP of Regulatory Leadership and Corporate Secretary at Technical Safety BC, was quoted in the Surrey Citizen saying the data shows a troubling increase in incidents. Patterson said the two organizations are sharing data to educate the public and prevent future tragedies.
Platform screen doors
Previous studies found that platform screen doors were not compatible with the SkyTrain system, the Surrey Citizen reported. TransLink is now reassessing the technology to find out whether newer solutions can address those challenges. The Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension is under construction and includes stations in Surrey.
What riders can do
Stay behind the yellow line until the train has fully stopped. Never use your hands or a bag to hold the doors. If you drop something on the tracks, tell a SkyTrain staff member rather than going onto the guideway yourself. Surrey residents can track what the new City Council says and does on transit matters at /bc/surrey-2026/tracker.
Questions this story answers
What does the report say about SkyTrain safety incidents?
Technical Safety BC's SkyTrain Incident Data Analysis counted 122 incidents involving people making physical contact with the SkyTrain between 2016 and 2025. When adjusted for ridership, the average incident rate on the Expo and Millennium lines from 2023 to 2025 was double the pre-pandemic rate recorded between 2016 and 2019. Human behaviour was the leading factor in every incident. The Surrey Citizen reported on the joint call to action on October 29, 2026.
Where do incidents happen most often on the SkyTrain system?
According to the report, as reported by the Surrey Citizen on October 29, 2026, 63 per cent of the 122 incidents between 2016 and 2025 occurred in the guideway, which is the track area. Nearly half of those guideway incidents, or 47 per cent, were fatal. Eight per cent resulted in severe injuries. The remaining 37 per cent of incidents occurred on platforms, where 23 per cent resulted in moderate to major injuries.
Were the SkyTrain safety systems working during these incidents?
Yes, according to the report. In 100 per cent of the 122 incidents between 2016 and 2025, the railway safety systems were operating as designed, the Surrey Citizen reported. That includes systems that detect when something enters the guideway and trigger the train's emergency brakes. The incidents were caused by human behaviour, not equipment failure.
What did Technical Safety BC say about the findings?
Derek Patterson, VP of Regulatory Leadership and Corporate Secretary at Technical Safety BC, was quoted by the Surrey Citizen saying the safety data shows a troubling increase in incidents where individuals have come into contact with a SkyTrain. Patterson said Technical Safety BC is partnering with TransLink to share data so they can educate the public, prevent future tragedies and save lives.
What about platform screen doors?
The Surrey Citizen reported that previous studies found platform screen doors were not compatible with the SkyTrain system. TransLink is now reassessing the technology to find out whether newer solutions can address those challenges. The Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension, which is being built through Surrey, has been discussed in relation to station design as construction continues.
What does the joint call to action ask riders to do?
TransLink and Technical Safety BC urge riders to stay behind the yellow line on the platform until the train has fully stopped and the doors are open. Riders should not try to board once the doors have started closing, and should never use hands, bags or clothing to hold doors open. Riders should never enter the guideway. If you drop something on the tracks, tell a SkyTrain staff member rather than retrieving it yourself. Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions when standing near the platform edge.
Does this report cover the Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension?
The report covers the existing Expo and Millennium lines, which include SkyTrain stations in Surrey such as King George, Surrey Central and Gateway. The Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension is under construction and will add new stations in Surrey and Langley. Surrey residents can track what the new City Council does on transit matters at the promise tracker at /bc/surrey-2026/tracker.
Where can I find the full report?
Technical Safety BC published its SkyTrain Incident Data Analysis on its website at technicalsafetybc.ca. The news release about the report and the joint call to action with TransLink is also on the Technical Safety BC site. The Surrey Citizen's October 29, 2026 article covers the main findings and the safety guidelines.
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