---
title: "SkyTrain safety incidents doubled since before the pandemic, report says"
description: "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."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/surrey-2026/news/surrey-skytrain-safety-report-incidents-rising"
last_updated: "2026-10-30T21:33:47.450Z"
---

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](/bc/surrey-2026/tracker).

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