TransLink has launched its new RapidBus service in the Greater Vancouver Area, improving bus service frequency and reliability where demand is greatest. The significant increases in service will add 65,000 more annual bus service hours to the system, making space for up to 20,000 more people each weekday.
The new service, launched on January 6, will impact the following new and existing routes:
- R1 King George Blvd (Guildford Exchange/Newton Exchange)
- Eight-minute service during peak hours
- R3 Lougheed Hwy (Coquitlam Central Station/Haney Place)
- 10-minute service during peak hours
- R4 41st Ave (Joyce Station/UBC)
- Three to six-minute service during peak hours
- R5 Hastings St (Burrard Station/SFU)
- Four to five-minute service during peak hours
Outside of peak hours, all RapidBus routes will have 15-minute service or better from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. To make the bus system more efficient, adjustments have been made to some Metro Vancouver bus routes.
Key changes include:
- 41 Joyce Station/Crown
- New terminus at Crown Street, instead of UBC Bus Exchange
- 15-minute service every day during service hours
- 43 Joyce Station/UBC
- Service replaced by R4 RapidBus
- 480 UBC/Bridgeport
- Will run peak hours only
For faster service between Bridgeport and UBC, it is recommended that customers take the Canada Line and the R4 RapidBus connecting with Oakridge Station.
According to an article from the Vancouver Sun, the R2 Marine Drive route running between Park Royal in West Vancouver and Phibbs Exchange in the District of North Vancouver, will open in April. The article also suggests that two additional routes are scheduled to come online in late 2021 or early 2022.
The third phase of TransLink’s 10-year plan calls for five additional routes to be added to the RapidBus system.
