SEPTEMBER 2009
Thousands roll into YVR to celebrate Canada Line opening
F
or many of the estimated 80,000
people who rode the Canada Line on its opening day, YVR was the
last stop and a highlight of their trip with plenty to see and do at the end of the line. The public was invited to help celebrate the opening of the Canada Line on August 17, more than three months ahead of schedule, by riding the rails for free. Thousands took the opportunity to experience Translink’s newest service linking downtown Vancouver to the airport and Richmond, and enjoyed activities and entertainment at many of the stations along the way. The airport welcomed passengers with a “Planes, Trains and 2010” theme
(Left to right) Larry Berg, president and CEO Vancouver Airport Authority; The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway; and Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell at the official opening of the Canada Line on August 17.
at two of its three Sea Island stations. At the YVR-Airport station, Canada Line riders were welcomed by airport staff and Green Coat volunteers, and were handed maps to help them explore the
Winter Games mascots, and musicians
equipment was on-site for people to see
plenty of smiles as passengers enjoyed
YVR’s passengers and employees can
kept everyone moving and grooving
and touch. The trucks included blowers,
the sights and sounds at the stations,
travel between downtown’s Waterfront
sweepers and plows and are part of the
and the train ride itself.
Station and the YVR-Airport Station in
airport and some of the special activities
around the terminals. In keeping with
available. YVR’s new Public Observation
the winter theme, even on a hot August
Area that includes interactive displays,
day, nearly 37,000 popsicles were
telescopes and stunning views of the
handed out at the airport’s Haida Gwaii
airfield was a popular destination for
statue and around the terminals.
Airport Authority’s snow removal plans
The Canada Line opened for regular
that help keep aircraft safely operating
service on August 18. The $2-billion
For maps, travel times and fare
during winter weather.
project is the latest addition to Metro
information visit Translink’s website at
With so many people eager to
Vancouver’s transit system and is
www.translink.ca.
less than 25 minutes.
participate and commemorate the
projected to carry 100,000 passengers
To find tips for using the Canada
many visitors. Children enjoyed a Lego
At the Templeton Station, some of the
Canada Line’s opening day, there were
per day along its 19-kilometre route.
Line to get to YVR, checkout the Your
display and took photos with the 2010
Airport Authority’s new snow removal
line-ups at many of the stations, but also
With trains leaving every 4-8 minutes,
Ticket to Ride story on page 2.
The gala dinner and auction was well attended with hundreds of silent auction items up for bids.
Air Canada App for iPhone YVR Golf for Kids tees up to raise and iPod Touch devices funds for children’s charities Flight Pass; rent a car or access other convenient travel links; and find and track any Air
L
Canada or Jazz flight. Air
airport
community
is
committed to delivering the best possible customer experience at
YVR 365 days each year, but on one day
was
every August they take that “drive” and
the first airline in the world to
hit the links for a friendly game of golf
Canada released an Apple
introduce 2-D Electronic Boarding Passes
to raise money for some very special
iPhone/iPod touch application to
in 2007, and is the first North American
children.
ast
month,
Air
give travellers more convenient mobile
Canada
T
he
airline to release the free App.
YVR Golf for Kids has become the
options. Available free on-line from
The airline is also refining and
airport community’s premier fundraiser
in Richmond, B.C. where they enjoyed
the Apple App Store on iPhone or iPod
expanding its existing products. Some
with participants and volunteers from
some friendly competition and a sunny,
touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/,
of these refinements include:
the many businesses and organizations
warm day. Also on-site were 15 children
the App was developed for Air Canada
• Adding new functions to airport
at YVR and the community at-large. Its
visiting from Canuck Place Children’s
kiosks, offering customers the option
annual golf tournament, gala dinner and
Hospice who were treated to backpacks
The new App will enable users of
to purchase an upgrade, reprint
auction held every August raises funds
full of toys, a visit from one of the police
Apple iPhone and iPod Touch devices to
boarding passes and obtain an
to support Canuck Place Children’s
dogs and a display of fire and police
keep track of and update all of their Air
electronic boarding pass, including
Hospice and other children’s charities.
emergency vehicles.
by IBM Canada.
Canada and Jazz flights from a single location; receive messages and link to
at international airports. • Enhancing its boarding passes to
their electronic boarding passes; access
provide
Air Canada Mobile check-in to select a
information, such as check-in and
seat and retrieve an electronic boarding
baggage drop-off times.
pass; book flights using an Air Canada
more
and
new
travel
See AIR CANADA APP page 3
Since 1991, YVR Golf for Kids has
The gala dinner and auction following
contributed in excess of $2.6-million
the tournament was held at the Sheraton
to help children and families in British
Vancouver Airport, with emcee Joey
Columbia.
Kenward from Team 1040 Sports Radio
On August 20, 148 golfers teed up at Mayfair Lakes Golf and Country Club
and auctioneer Barry Scott of Maynards.
See GOLF FOR KIDS page 3
inside:
Aldeasa launches Bobbi Brown at YVR Page
Abbotsford Airshow
Page
BC strengthens tourism promotions
Page
Sea Island Restaurant Guide Page
* YVR is the international aeronautical designation for Vancouver International Airport.
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