TransLink summer service changes begin on Monday

TransLink is alerting passengers of some schedule and route changes that are set to take effect this coming Monday.

Starting on June 25, passengers boarding Millennium Line trains at Lougheed Station will need to board at different platforms.

To board a Millennium Line train heading towards VCC-Clark Station, customers should wait at platform 3, on the north side of the station and closest to the mall.
To board a Millennium Line train heading towards Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station, customers should wait at platform 1, on the south side of the station and furthest from the mall.

New platform boarding plans (TransLink)

Expo Line platforms, however, will not change.

Currently, Millennium Line trains switch tracks several times before and after Lougheed Station, resulting in delays.

This pattern was the best and easiest option to implement for the launch of the Evergreen Extension,” said TransLink in a release. “Having monitored train operations since then, we are confident we can move to a new pattern with minimal disruptions and operational risks.”

Once the change is in effect, trains will proceed more directly and efficiently through the station, resulting in a faster and more reliable trip for customers.

Leading up to the change, TransLink is running a customer-awareness campaign that includes train and platform announcements, station signage, additional on-site staff, and social media posts. Starting June 25, customers should follow station signage to ensure they are standing on the correct platform to catch a Millennium Line train.

Bus routes being adjusted

In addition to the SkyTrain changes, three bus routes are also being adjusted:

319 Scott Road Station/Newton Exchange Weekdays:
Service increase to every 7-15 minutes between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. (up from 8-20 minutes).
20 Victoria/Downtown –Layover Pilot Project with City of Vancouver:
Customers may notice small changes to schedule times, but service levels will be maintained.
44 UBC/Downtown – will no longer serve five bus stops to provide express service downtown.

Transit fares to increase on Canada Day

In addition to the schedule changes, it will cost a few cents more to take transit in Metro Vancouver, beginning on Canada Day this year.

On Monday morning, TransLink said that starting July 1, transit fares will increase by five to 10 cents, per trip.

The change was originally announced back November 2016 as part of Phase One of the Mayors’ Council 10-Year Vision for Regional Transportation, and the first of the annual increases went into effect on Canada Day 2017.

As of the first of next month:

Single-use concession fares will increase by five cents for Stored Value fares and 10 cents for cash fares.
Single-use adult fares will increase by 10 cents (this includes HandyDART).
DayPass fares will increase by 25 cents.
Monthly pass fares will increase between $1 and $2, depending on zone type.
Fare increases will be the same on West Coast Express.

Here is the full schedule of increases through 2019:

Planned transit fare increases in Metro Vancouver from 2017 to 2019. (TransLink)

In a release, TransLink called the increases “modest” and said the price changes are helping to “fund transit investments to increase capacity, reduce overcrowding, and introduce bus service in new areas.”

Compass Card-holders who use Stored Value will continue to enjoy a discounted fare compared to cash customers.

TransLink also noted that even with the impending increases, “Metro Vancouver continues to have the lowest average fares of all major Canadian cities.”

The company said improvements being funded in part through the fare increases include:

Five new B-Line bus routes.
10% increase in bus service by 2019.
15% increase in HandyDART service by 2019.
20% increase in rail service following the delivery of 56 new SkyTrain and 24 new Canada Line cars beginning later this year.

Bus routes being adjusted

Transit fares to increase on Canada Day

See also