The station was opened in 2002 as part of the original Millennium Line project. Before the first phase of the line was completed, a short spur from Columbia station was opened in eastern New Westminster as a test track; this spur included Sapperton and Braid stations.
In 2004, work was done on the platform tiles to make the surface less slippery.[3]
In 2016, SkyTrain service was reconfigured in anticipation of the opening of the Evergreen Extension; as a result, Millennium Line service was discontinued at Sapperton station. Since October 22, 2016, Sapperton has been served by an Expo Line branch with service between Waterfront and Production Way–University stations.[4]
Structure and design
Sapperton station was designed by the architecture firm Hancock Bruckner Eng & Wright[5] and, like all stations constructed as part of the original Millennium Line, has a unique design. The elevated station contains a mezzanine level connected to the platform level by stairs, escalators and elevators. There are two side platforms, separated by an artwork wheel. There was previously a stationary bike on the mezzanine level which would rotate the artwork wheel when ridden, but it was removed after it was vandalized.[citation needed]
Station information
Entrances
Sapperton station is served by one official entrance. It is located at the northeast end of the station. This entrance is connected to ground level by a walkway over Brunette Avenue that exits on Keary Street, across from the Royal Columbian Hospital.[6]
A second, unofficial entrance is at the south end of the station and is not wheelchair accessible. This entrance is technically an emergency exit that leads down from platform 1,[7] but people commonly use it as a safe way to access the station from Spruce Street, which is next to the station but not accessible using the main entrance. TransLink nevertheless installed Compass card readers at the site.[8]
Sapperton station is not served directly by any bus routes. Connections can be made to the 109 bus route, a short walk from the station at the intersection of Columbia Street and Keary Street:
