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Yesterday, Canadian, British Columbia and local officials marked the 25th anniversary of TransLink’s SkyTrain, which has transported 1.2 billion riders in Vancouver since it debuted in 1986.

During the past 25 years, the system has been expanded to include the Millennium and Canada lines. More than $4 billion has been invested by the Canadian government, province, TransLink and other partners.

Currently, about $2 billion worth of improvements are planned or under way, including the construction of the Evergreen Line, expansion of SkyTrain’s operations and maintenance center, installation of fare gates and addition of 48 new rail cars, TransLink officials said in a prepared statement.

“Our intention for the SkyTrain system was to nurture livable town center developments, move people without impeding other vehicles, enable multi-use in the right of way and help sustain the overall environment,” said Bill Bennett, who served as British Columbia’s premier when SkyTrain opened.