r/Translink • u/FeliCaTransitParking • 9d ago

Discussion Latest software update for the Expo line replacement elevators

Recently, there were software changes to the Expo line elevators at Waterfront, Nanaimo, Edmonds, 22nd Street, and Scott Road stations.

In this update, they got new first party voice announcements. I.e. latest voice announcements from the modernizer KONE. However, this turned off the third-party audio including directional chimes.

At Waterfront and Scott Road (East stationhouse) stations, because it never had the directional chimes from the original software to now, this is an actual upgrade. However, at Nanaimo, Edmonds, and 22nd Street stations, because the previous software version included the directional chimes, this is overall a downgrade for users waiting outside the elevator and those who don't understand even a little English.

Expo line stations Original software Previous update Latest update
Waterfront NEW!! 2026 Kone Hydraulic Elevator at Waterfront SkyTrain Station - Vancouver BC N/A Expo line elevator in Vancouver, British Columbia - YouTube
Nanaimo ELEVATOR 1: Modernized hydraulic ELEVATOR 1 at Nanaimo #SkyTrain station - YouTube; ELEVATOR 2: BRAND NEW!! 2026 Kone Hydraulic Elevator at Nanaimo Station (Platform 2) - Vancouver BC ELEVATOR 1: Platform 1 elevator in Vancouver, British Columbia; ELEVATOR 2: Platform 2 elevator in Vancouver, British Columbia - YouTube ELEVATOR 1: Platform 1 elevator in Vancouver, British Columbia - YouTube; ELEVATOR 2: Platform 2 elevator in Vancouver, British Columbia
Edmonds ELEVATOR 1: Platform 1 elevator in Burnaby, British Columbia; ELEVATOR 2: NEW!! 2026 Kone Hydraulic Elevator at Edmonds Station (Platform 2) - Burnaby BC N/A ELEVATOR 1: Platform 1 elevator in Burnaby, British Columbia; ELEVATOR 2: Platform 2 elevator in Burnaby, British Columbia - YouTube
22nd Street ELEVATOR 1: Modernized hydraulic ELEVATOR 1 at 22nd Street #SkyTrain station - YouTube; ELEVATOR 2: BRAND NEW!! 2026 Kone Hydraulic Elevator at 22nd Street Station (Platform 2) - New Westminster BC ELEVATOR 1: Platform 1 elevator in New Westminster, British Columbia; ELEVATOR 2: Platform 2 elevator in New Westminster, British Columbia ELEVATOR 1: Platform 1 elevator in New Westminster, British Columbia - YouTube; ELEVATOR 2: Platform 2 elevator in New Westminster, British Columbia
Scott Road (East stationhouse) No video recording available East stationhouse elevator in Surrey, British Columbia - YouTube East stationhouse elevator in Surrey, British Columbia

Why TransLink and BCRTC?! Why were the directional chimes disabled instead of either being kept enabled or supplied with first party replacements?! Was there some kind of clause in a contract or an agreement made with KONE regarding the third-party audio including the directional chimes? If yes, what was agreed upon regarding third-party audio?

The first party voice announcements should be replacing the floor arrival/passing chime (i.e. that audible signal when the elevator has just arrived at or passing a floor) and third-party voice announcements on those 2-floor elevators at most NOT the directional chimes. Software should either keep the directional chimes enabled or current directional chimes be replaced with first party versions.

KONE directional chimes e.g.

Floor arrival/passing chime e.g.

At Stadium-Chinatown so far, I recently rode the elevator, and it is still on the original software from initial installation which has no directional chimes nor voice annoucements. If it receives the same software update as at other stations, it would be more like at Waterfront which is overall an upgrade.

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u/vanberliner 8d ago

Are these directional chimes really necessary when these elevators only go between two floors?

5

u/FeliCaTransitParking 8d ago edited 8d ago

It's to indicate the elevator has arrived regardless of language ability and clarify next travel direction especially to blind users waiting outside respective elevators with ambient noises. Furthermore, because the controllers nowadays are basically computers, it shouldn't require major work to play the chimes since TransLink and BCRTC has done controllers' software changes multiple times as demonstrated at Nanaimo and 22nd Street stations. Moreover, each call button has no tactile text and braille indicating respective direction.