TransLink to run Downtown Vancouver circle bus route during FIFA World Cup | Daily Hive

TransLink to run temporary Downtown Vancouver circular bus route during FIFA World Cup

Map of the temporary No. 1 Downtown Vancouver South Circulator bus route during the FIFA World Cup. (TransLink)

A new circuitous bus route will be deployed within the Downtown Vancouver peninsula to help serve the expected crowds that will descend into the area for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and improve overall accessibility and connectivity by public transit due to the detours for various temporary road closures during the tournament.

TransLink announced today this temporary bus route will run from June 8 to July 12 — beginning just before the start of the tournament period, and ending about a week before the championship final.

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The No. 1 Downtown South Circulator bus route will run along West Pender Street, Burrard Street, Davie Street, and Cambie Street, creating a looping service within the Central Business District, Yaletown, the easternmost border of the West End neighbourhood, and other peripheral areas.

It will make stops near the Expo Line’s Burrard Station and Canada Line’s Yaletown-Roundhouse Station, with other stops also within close walking distance to the Hastings Street entrance for the Canada Line’s Waterfront Station entrance and the Beatty Street entrance for the Expo Line’s Stadium-Chinatown Station.

The No. 1 will run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, and every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

translink 1 downtown vancouver south circulator fifa world cup bus route

Map of the temporary No. 1 Downtown Vancouver South Circulator bus route during the FIFA World Cup. (TransLink)

TransLink is also boosting the frequencies of various existing bus routes that serve Downtown Vancouver, in addition to increasing service on SkyTrain, SeaBus, and the West Coast Express commuter rail. During the tournament, the Expo Line’s Main Street-Science World Station will be the nearest SkyTrain station to BC Place Stadium, as the “Last Mile” pedestrian route along Quebec Street/Pacific Boulevard starting outside the station will serve as the only entrance leading to the stadium’s exterior security screening area and entrance. There will be no direct pedestrian access to BC Place Stadium at Stadium-Chinatown Station.

One of the most significant bus route detours will be carried out for the No. 23 English Bay/Main Street-Science World Station bus route due to the two-month, full-time closure of Pacific Boulevard next to BC Place Stadium from May 23 to late July and the temporary closure of Expo Boulevard next to the venue on match days only. The No. 23 will reroute via Main Street, West Pender Street, and Cambie Street, with its route along Pacific Boulevard/Pacific Street/Beach Avenue west of Davie Street remaining the same.

All the while, TransLink will also boost frequencies on the No. 23 from June 8 to July 12 to help meet the expected surge in ridership demand.

Additionally, for about seven weeks from June 8 to July 26, all bus routes that typically use Granville Street within Downtown Vancouver will be rerouted to Howe Street for the southbound direction and Seymour Street for the northbound direction. This reroute of all vehicle traffic, including TransLink buses, will enable Granville Street’s transformation into a car-free, pedestrian-oriented activation for the FIFA World Cup between West Georgia Street and Davie Street, with Downtown Van (the local business improvement association for Downtown Vancouver) leading the street’s beautification and programming.

Over at the northeast corner of Vancouver, tens of thousands of spectators per day are expected to descend on the PNE fairgrounds at Hastings Park for the official FIFA Fan Festival, which will be open for 28 days of the 39-day tournament period.

The free festival at the PNE will be served by various enhanced TransLink bus services, including the new temporary No. 11 FIFA Fan Festival Express running along Renfrew Street between the Expo Line’s 29th Avenue Station and the PNE’s Pacific Coliseum entrance, with a connection to the Millennium Line at Renfrew Station. The No. 11’s routing is similar to TransLink’s special bus shuttle service during the PNE Fair period each year.

The No. 11 will operate only on the days when the FIFA Fan Festival is open. It will run every five minutes from two hours before the gate is opens to two hours after the gate closes.

Extra service is also being provided on the R5 Hastings Street RapidBus to provide more service between Downtown Vancouver and the FIFA Fan Festival.

Additionally, the No. 28 Phibbs Exchange/Joyce Station, No. 130 Phibbs Exchange/Metrotown Station, and the No. 222 Willingdon Express (Phibbs Exchange/Metrotown Station) will detour slightly west around Hastings Park via McGill Street, Renfrew Street, and East Hastings Street to provide additional service to reach the FIFA Fan Festival, instead of the normal direct route via Highway 1 across the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge.

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