Why many TransLink real-time, next-bus digital displays have disappeared
For months, many of TransLink’s RapidBus bus stops have been missing their real-time, next-bus digital displays.
These are monochrome LCD displays that show the arrival times of the next five bus departures at the bus stop, including buses on non-RapidBus routes that also serve the location.
- You might also like:
- TransLink's new R6 RapidBus route in Delta and Surrey is now Metro Vancouver's sixth busiest bus route
- This is what TransLink's Bus Rapid Transit stations could look like
- How TransLink bus routes could change from Broadway subway opening
- 60 new TransLink bus shelters to be installed in Surrey this year
These original signs — termed by the public transit authority as “Bus Passenger Information Displays (BPIDs) — were installed just in time for the launch of the first five RapidBus routes in early 2020, including the pivot of two previous B-Line routes into the RapidBus brand of frequent, limited-stop faster bus services.
It was also previously noted that these signs run on a battery that lasts for about three years, which removes the need to install power connections.
A RapidBus stop missing its real-time, next-bus digital display. (Kenneth Chan)
Upon inquiry, a TransLink spokesperson told Daily Hive Urbanized these original displays were removed as they no longer work due to their reliance on the old 3G network, which is being discontinued by Canadian telecommunications service companies.
These displays were found on the R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 RapidBus routes, as well as some other locations such as select Main Street bus stops in Vancouver.
New replacement displays are now on their way
Currently, the public transit authority is in the early stages of the rollout of new upgraded displays, beginning with the R2 Marine Drive RapidBus on the North Shore. These new displays will run on 4G-compatible technology.
Previous original digital displays:
Previous original RapidBus monochrome real-time, next-bus digital display. (Kenneth Chan)
New digital displays:
New monochrome real-time, next-bus digital displays installed for the bus stops of the R6 Scott Road RapidBus. (TransLink)
Furthermore, new monochrome BPIDs were also installed at the bus bays of UBC bus exchange earlier this year, replacing the original LCD screens installed in late 2021 that experienced technical issues. Under a pilot project, these LCD screens at every bus bay began experiencing issues about one year later, and progressively failed.
Similar displays have also been installed at Phibbs bus exchange in North Vancouver and the bus stops for the newer R6 Scott Road RapidBus in Delta and Surrey.
Previous LCD digital displays at UBC bus exchange:
2021-installed LCD real-time, next-bus displays at UBC bus exchange, now removed due to technical issues. (TransLink)
New replacement monochrome displays at UBC bus exchange:
New replacement monochrome real-time, next-bus digital displays installed at UBC bus exchange in 2025. (TransLink)
New replacement monochrome real-time, next-bus digital displays installed at UBC bus exchange in 2025. (TransLink)
Such displays are part of the enhanced features of RapidBus routes, which also takes into account their higher ridership overall for the increased utility of such enhancements. Several of these routes are among Metro Vancouver’s busiest bus routes — especially the R4 41st Avenue RapidBus in Vancouver, R6 Scott Road RapidBus, and R1 King George Boulevard RapidBus in Surrey.
In terms of 2024 ridership, here is how the R6 compares with other RapidBus routes and the 99 B-Line, which remains the busiest bus route in Metro Vancouver:
- 99 B-Line (Vancouver)
- 2024 annual boardings: 10.624 million
- Busiest bus route ranking: 1st out of 195 bus routes
- 2024 weekday average boardings: 34,200
- 2024 Saturday average boardings: 21,400
- 2024 Sunday/holiday average boardings: 15,400
- R4 41st Avenue RapidBus (Vancouver):
- 2024 annual boardings: 8.803 million
- Busiest bus route ranking: 2nd out of 195 bus routes
- 2024 weekday average boardings: 27,900
- 2024 Saturday average boardings: 18,100
- 2024 Sunday/holiday average boardings: 14,100
- R6 Scott Road RapidBus (Delta, Surrey):
- 2024 annual boardings: 5.246 million
- Busiest bus route ranking: 6th out of 195 bus routes
- 2024 weekday average boardings: 15,700
- 2024 Saturday average boardings: 12,500
- 2024 Sunday/holiday average boardings: 10,700
- R1 King George Boulevard RapidBus (Surrey)
- 2024 annual boardings: 5.163 million
- Busiest bus route ranking: 7th out of 195 bus routes
- 2024 weekday average boardings: 15,400
- 2024 Saturday average boardings: 12,000
- 2024 Sunday/holiday average boardings: 10,700
- R5 Hastings Street RapidBus (Vancouver, Burnaby)
- 2024 annual boardings: 4.347 million
- Busiest bus route ranking: 10th out of 195 bus routes
- 2024 weekday average boardings: 13,700
- 2024 Saturday average boardings: 8,900
- 2024 Sunday/holiday average boardings: 7,300
- R2 Marine Drive RapidBus (West Vancouver, North Vancouver City, North Vancouver District)
- 2024 annual boardings: 1.944 million
- Bus bus route ranking: 42nd out of 195 bus routes
- 2024 weekday average boardings: 5,700
- 2024 Saturday average boardings: 5,000
- 2024 Sunday/holiday average boardings: 4,000
- R3 Lougheed Highway RapidBus (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows)
- 2024 annual boardings: 1.07 million
- Busiest bus route ranking: 74th out of 195 bus routes
- 2024 weekday average boardings: 3,200
- 2024 Saturday average boardings: 2,700
- 2024 Sunday/holiday average boardings: 2,100
- You might also like:
- TransLink's new R6 RapidBus route in Delta and Surrey is now Metro Vancouver's sixth busiest bus route
- This is what TransLink's Bus Rapid Transit stations could look like
- How TransLink bus routes could change from Broadway subway opening
- 60 new TransLink bus shelters to be installed in Surrey this year