RapidBus (TransLink)
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RapidBus is an express bus network with bus rapid transit elements in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
History
On November 23, 2016, the TransLink Mayors' Council and TransLink's board of directors approved the first phase of the 10-Year Vision, which included provisions for new B-Line routes (later rebranded as RapidBus) which began service in January 2020. In July 2019, TransLink announced that all future B-Line routes would officially be launched under new "RapidBus" branding and that the 95 and 96 B-Lines would also transition to that branding, leaving route 99 as the only remaining B-Line.
The first wave of routes using the RapidBus branding – consisting of the R1 King George Blvd (the former 96 B-Line), the new R3 Lougheed Hwy, the new R4 41st Ave (replacing the 43 express service along 41st Avenue), and the R5 Hastings St (the former 95 B-Line) – launched on January 6, 2020.
The R2 Marine Drive launched on April 6, 2020, after construction delays, replacing the former 239. The R6 Scott Rd launched on January 2, 2024, with service in Surrey and Delta.
Features
- All-door boarding
- Shelters and benches at stops
- Tactile pads
- Real-time information
- Information panels at stops
- On-board route diagrams
- Transit priority measures on streets to improve travel times
- Custom exterior bus livery
- Frequent service
RapidBus routes
Future phases
Cancelled RapidBus routes
Fraser Highway
Proposals for a Fraser Highway B-Line were made in 2018 along with what would become the Marine Drive, Lougheed Highway, and 41st Avenue RapidBus routes. However, a decision was made in December of that year to cancel the proposed route (which would have been rebranded as RapidBus) in favour of a revision of service on routes 502 and 503 in the short term, and an extension of the Expo Line from Surrey to Langley Centre in the long term.
R7 Richmond – Metrotown station
This line was cancelled in October 2023 following the rejection of a proposed route by Richmond's city council. The R7 route would have roughly followed the existing 430 route via Bridgeport Road, the Knight Street Bridge, and 49th Avenue.
Bus rapid transit lines
TransLink intends to implement 9 bus rapid transit (BRT) lines in the coming decade, including 3 that will be upgraded from RapidBus, contingent on funding from senior levels of government. The lines will feature all-day frequent service with limited stops, near-continuous dedicated lanes and signal priority at major intersections, high-capacity buses with all-door boarding. The lines will have "rail-like" stations with next-bus departure screens, transit maps and weather protection.
Future phases
| Route | Launch date | Termini | Connection | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King George Boulevard BRT | TBD | Surrey Central | White Rock Centre | Expo Line (SkyTrain) Surrey Central Expo Line (SkyTrain) King George List of bus routes in Metro Vancouver Newton Exchange List of bus routes in Metro Vancouver South Surrey Park and Ride List of bus routes in Metro Vancouver White Rock Centre |
| Langley – Haney Place BRT | TBD | Haney Place Exchange | Willowbrook | List of bus routes in Metro Vancouver Haney Place Exchange List of bus routes in Metro Vancouver Carvolth Exchange Expo Line (SkyTrain) Willowbrook |
| Metrotown – North Shore BRT | TBD | Park Royal Exchange | Metrotown | List of bus routes in Metro Vancouver Park Royal Exchange SeaBus Lonsdale Quay List of bus routes in Metro Vancouver Phibbs Exchange List of bus routes in Metro Vancouver Kootenay Loop Millennium Line Brentwood Town Centre List of bus routes in Metro Vancouver BCIT Exchange Expo Line (SkyTrain) Metrotown |