TransLink announces 'single-largest' service increase to its network

Lissandra Melo / Shuuterstock

Hailing it as “the single largest expansion to bus service” since the launch of the 10-Year-Vision Plan, TransLink announced this week that is expanding its hours and adding new connections to its regional network.

“This is the third in a series of boosts to bus service we’ve done so far this year,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond. “The great news is there’s more to come over the next two years as part of delivering the 10-Year Vision.”

In total, 105,000 additional transit service hours will be added across Metro Vancouver. The increase is meant to reduce crowding and wait times, as well as provide better connections.

Some of the key routes adding service hours include:

620 Tsawwassen Ferry/Bridgeport Station;
240 15th Street/Vancouver
351 Crescent Beach/Bridgeport Station.

Back-to-school service and additions

While transit schedules are regularly adjusted for back-to-school season, TransLink is making permanent changes to some of its key post-secondary routes.

There will be permanent bus frequency increases along a number of routes, including:

25 Brentwood Station/UBC;
49 Metrotown Station/Dunbar Loop/UBC;
84 UBC/VCC Station; and
130 Metrotown/Hastings/Kootenay/Cap U

New routes for new neighbourhoods

TransLink is also adding service for the first time in three growing neighbourhoods.

Clayton Heights (Surrey/Langley);
Morgan Creek (Surrey/White Rock);
Silver Valley (Maple Ridge).

The new service areas are meant to put a bus stop within a five-minute walk of the 20,000 residents combined who call the three neighbourhoods home.

“The new routes into… Silver Valley will provide access for our citizens, especially youth, who have not been able to easily access services in the City Centre and connect to the existing transit network,” said Maple Ridge Mayor Nicole Read.

Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner echoed Read’s thoughts.

“I’m pleased to welcome new and expanded bus service… to growing communities in Surrey where additional access to public transit is needed,” said Hepner.

Four times a year, TransLink adjusts bus service across the region to reflect seasonal ridership and put services where they are needed most.

This latest service implementation comes at a time when TransLink is experiencing record-high ridership – with more than 200 million boardings in the first six months of 2017 – a 5.6% increase from the same period in 2016.