Capstan Station on the Canada Line is now open, delivering more efficient rapid transit to the growing Capstan Village area of Richmond. TransLink, the City of Richmond and representatives of the developers who supported the project, officially opened the station to customers on December 20, 2024.
The new Capstan Station’s unique amenities include larger platform waiting areas, an expanded street-level concourse to reduce congestion, dual sets of escalators, and space for future commercial opportunities. It is also TransLink’s first all-digital station with enhanced display screens for easier information sharing.
“The Capstan Station is an example of how the City of Richmond, through an innovative first-of-its-kind-in-Canada funding collaboration with developers, can deliver much needed community amenities without direct costs to local taxpayers,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “The station will bring sustainable transportation closer to thousands of residents and support this vibrant, growing neighbourhood for decades to come.”
The new station is the result of an innovative agreement between TransLink and the City of Richmond, established through a precedent-setting funding model involving the City of Richmond and Capstan Village developers. Over half of the construction costs for Capstan Station came from developer contributions. TransLink worked closely with the City of Richmond on station design, with the community in mind.
Located between Aberdeen and Bridgeport stations on the Canada Line, Capstan Station will provide sustainable transportation to a rapidly growing neighbourhood, which is expected to soon be home to roughly 16,000 Richmond residents. Up to 37,000 customers currently ride the Richmond–Brighouse section of the Canada Line each weekday.
“This brand-new station, located in the heart of a bustling community, will enable current and future residents of Capstan Village to make transit their number one transportation choice,” said Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink. “This entire project underscores how fast, frequent, and accessible transit connects our region and strengthens our cities.”
The $62 million project was cost-shared by TransLink and the City of Richmond, which contributed $32.2 million from developers – Concord Pacific, Polygon, Pinnacle International, and Yuanheng Holdings. It also features distinctive interior art from local artist Howie Tsui that depicts aquatic life in the Fraser River estuary. The large mosaic spans more than 3,600 square feet and was created using over 3,500 custom-made glazed glass and metallic tiles.
“I hope TransLink customers will experience a sense of wonder when they interact with the work, and be transported into the rich underwater world of the Fraser River estuary,” said Tsui.
This is only the second time TransLink has constructed an additional station to serve an existing line, and the first new station on the Canada Line. The Lake City Way Station opened in 2003 on the SkyTrain Millennium Line, a year after that line became operational.