Vancouver's iconic reindeer buses and Santa train return to spread holiday magic | Daily Hive

TransLink

Vancouver always feels more festive when the Reindeer Buses are cruising around town, and now they’re making a holiday return.

TransLink is releasing seven of its Reindeer Buses into the wild to collect and deliver toys to families in need.

Each bus was decorated by volunteer transit elves at the TransLink depot.

Also helping to spread cheer this season is the West Coast Express Santa Train, scheduled to run during two weekends in December.

TransLink

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“When a Reindeer Bus pulls up to your stop, it’s impossible not to smile,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn in a release.

“As we celebrate 40 years of Toys for Tots, our teams are ready to deliver even more holiday magic across Metro Vancouver, and I encourage you to help carry that spirit by making a donation to the important charities that serve families in need.”

The annual Toys for Tots program collects cash donations and toys for staff at TransLink companies and delivers them to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.

Over the past decades, the program has collected over 103,300 presents and more than $59,000 for the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.

TransLink

“Toys for Tots has made the holidays brighter for countless families over the past four decades,” said Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau Executive Director Chris Bayliss in a statement.

“We’re deeply thankful for every donation we receive, and for partners like TransLink who help deliver these gifts to the children who need them.”

The West Coast Express Santa Train is also making a highly anticipated return this year on Saturday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 13.

Families can ride the train for free by exchanging a new, unwrapped toy or a cash donation for a West Coast Express return ticket.

West Coast Express Santa Train donations will be given to SHARE Family & Community Services in the Tri-Cities, the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society, as well as the Christmas Bureau in Mission.

TransLink

If you wish to donate unwrapped toys to Toys for Tots, you can drop them off at any of these locations:

TransLink Customer Service Centre at Waterfront Station
SkyTrain Customer Assistance Counter at Commercial-Broadway
Lonsdale Quay SeaBus Terminal

You can also treat yourself this holiday season by picking up some new TransLink holiday apparel, including the snazzy decorated Reindeer Bus sweater, toque and scarf.

For more inexpensive holiday events happening this year, check out our roundup of festive free things to do around Metro Vancouver.