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Bus Projects

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    UBC Exchange Next Bus Digital Screen Pilot

    We've unveiled three new models of real-time information signs at bus stops within UBC Exchange to improve the quality and accessibility of real-time transit information for customers.

    Learn more

    The quality of our bus service and facilities are paramount to the success of our system. We have several infrastructure and fleet projects underway to improve bus speed and reliability, and our customers’ experience on our bus network.

    Many of these projects support the vision and requirements of our three main transit expansion plans: Transport 2050, the 10-Year Investment Plan, and Area Transit Plans.

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    Recently completed Under construction Design phase

    Bus Exchange Projects

    The Lonsdale Quay Exchange Upgrade is now substantially complete! As home of the second busiest bus exchange on the North Shore and the north SeaBus terminal, this exchange serves an integral role in connecting the North Shore to the rest of the region. In addition to these infrastructure upgrades, the exchange is now home to the R2 RapidBus.

    The upgrades have improved the comfort and safety of our transit passengers, better integrated the exchange with the neighbourhood, and have allowed for service expansion by accommodating the addition of the R2 RapidBus.

    Funding for the project is through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF).

    Upgrade highlights

    • An updated design to accommodate a new RapidBus, improve bus operation, and create a pedestrian-focussed exchange with customer needs at the forefront.

    • A raised ceiling throughout the exchange and a new ceiling above the passenger hub near the SeaBus fare gates that incorporates the existing skylights to brighten the area below.

    • New, brighter concrete pavers throughout the hub and exchange as well as new lighting to brighten up the entire area.

    • New tactile walking surface indicators at each bus bay.

    • Bus bay indicators on LED-lit column panels.

    • A new public art piece.

    Thank you to local residents and members of the community who joined us during public information sessions in February and March 2019.

    For more information, please email lonsdale.exchange@translink.ca.

    As part of the TransLink Maintenance and Repair Program, we’ve completed upgrades to the Nanaimo Bus Exchange to improve safety and comfort for our customers, and to prepare for future service expansion.

    The Nanaimo Bus Exchange serves the #25, the fifth busiest bus route on the system and prior to the upgrade, approximately 5,000 customers each weekday. These improvements will help to support the needs of our growing region and transit ridership.

    Upgrade includes:

    • New bus shelters, benches, and landscaping to make the environment more inviting;

    • A new plaza to reduce crowding and make it easier to transfer between bus and SkyTrain;

    • Enhanced lighting and sightlines to improve safety;

    • A new layout to improve pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist flow;

    • A public art piece illustrating historical locations along bus routes served by Nanaimo Exchange.

    Construction began early 2019 and completed in July 2020. We appreciate the patience of customers and neighbours while we worked to improve Nanaimo Exchange.

    Phibbs Exchange is one of the most important bus exchanges in the region, serving 16 bus routes and almost 16,000 passengers daily. Because of its position in the regional roadway network, the exchange is where many routes in the North Shore meet in a carefully managed pulse, allowing efficient transfers in all directions.

    The upgrades will improve comfort and safety for transit passengers, better integrate the exchange with the neighbourhood, and provide more service for growing customer demand and future service expansion.

    Upgrade Highlights:

    • Improved comfort and safety for transit passengers through better lighting, more weather protection, and enhanced accessibility with better connections for pedestrians and cyclists.

    • The Exchange will feature a boomerang-shaped passenger platform along the perimeter to serve major bus routes, a necessary upgrade to support future bus service improvements, including the new RapidBus route introduced in 2020.

    • With new and vibrant landscaping, and improved passenger amenities, the upgraded exchange will be a welcoming environment for the growing Lower Lynn community to connect to transit services in the north shore and throughout the region.

    Expected Timeline: To be confirmed

    Impacts:

    • All buses serving Phibbs Exchange will continue to operate and the exchange will remain accessible, however some bus stops will be temporarily relocated.

    Additional information to come ahead of construction.

    As part of the TransLink Maintenance and Repair Program, we’ve completed upgrades to Richmond–Brighouse Exchange by adding a new bus loop to improve safety and comfort for our customers, and improve the convenience of transferring between bus and rail. Thank you for your patience throughout construction.

    The Richmond–Brighouse Exchange was previously an on-street exchange only, located along No. 3 Road adjacent to the Richmond–Brighouse Canada Line station. The exchange serves 13 regular bus routes and the N10 NightBus and nearly 12,000 customers per average weekday in 2019. The exchange provides access to local and long-haul bus routes as well as connections to Canada Line.

    To better serve our customers and create a smoother transition from bus to rail, we’ve added a new bus loop to the exchange off No. 3 Road near Buswell Street. This will reduce the impact of the transit vehicles road users in the area and provide an improved transit experience for our customers.

    The new, ten-bay loop is designed with four bays dedicated to loading and unloading, five reserved for layovers, and one reserved for HandyDART pick-up and drop-off.

    Bus loop highlights:

    • Large shelters for customer safety and comfort

    • Comfortable and spacious waiting areas

    • Enhanced lighting for increased safety

    • New crosswalks for ease of access between the new exchange and Richmond Centre

    • A sheltered HandyDART pick-up location

    • New landscaping with trees and shrubs

    • New bike lockers

    • An acoustic wall to mitigate bus-related noise and light impacts for adjacent residences

    This project is funded by the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) and the City of Richmond.

    Construction began in November 2019 and substantially completed in spring 2020. Due to construction work required by neighbouring developments, the loop will be fully open in November 2020.

      

    Thank you to the community and customers for providing your feedback in our spring 2019 engagement and outreach. For any questions about the project, contact publicengagement@translink.ca.

    Next Bus Digital Screens

    Next Bus digital screen at UBC exchange

    UBC Digital Screen Pilot

    In December 2021, TransLink unveiled three new models of real-time information signs at bus stops within UBC Exchange to improve the quality and accessibility of real-time transit information and provide an even better transit experience for customers.

    Customers in the exchange will notice two types of new signs at some of the stops, each with a digital screen showing stop-related information, as well as a centralized digital information board—TransLink’s first!

    Some stops have poles which are designed to be seen from far away, while others have plinths, which are essentially a wider type of stand that are more easily experienced up close. The digital information board is centrally located to provide an easy one-stop-spot to plan your trip.

    All of these screens feature:

    • Next Bus arrival information

    • Alerts for individual bus routes, as well as systemwide alerts; and

    • Other relevant and timely transit information such as transit etiquette reminders and upcoming service change information.

    More than just what’s on screen, this pilot is also about the overall functionalities of the different models. This means:

    • Improved visibility and legibility, both day and night, for static and variable information including full colour backlit LCD screens with larger, clearer text, and backlit bus stop and route numbers;

    • An ability to provide a range of transit information and the flexibility to change information as needed; and

    • Enhanced accessibility of information in two formats including text-to-speech audio and a Braille panel with bus stop information.

    By integrating these features into three unique sign models, we’re able to evaluate how different types of technology can improve information sharing when used together in a purpose-built system. Over the next year, we will be assessing this new way of sharing information with our customers and how different technologies can help us to keep our customers informed throughout their journeys.

    We want to hear from you! If you have feedback on this pilot, please reach out to our Customer Information team at 604.953.3333.

    People waiting for the bus next to a bus stop with a BPIDs display

    As of Jan. 1, 2021, TransLink’s service provider will no longer support its 2G network, which has enabled internet connectivity to LED real-time information displays at some bus stops across the region. That is why 27 LED information displays at bus stops along Main Street will be retired and removed starting Dec. 31, 2020.

    These displays were installed in 2009 as part of a pilot project with Transport Canada and the City of Vancouver. This pilot project has provided valuable insight that has helped inform planning work for real-time bus information technology across the region.

    Displays at Main Street–Science World Station, and additional displays at Carvolth Exchange and South Surrey Park and Ride will be replaced with newer models to continue serving these transit hubs.

    For real-time transit information, we encourage customers to:

    Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Program

    A bus driving out of a bus exchange

    TransLink’s Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Program takes place during the summer months and is focussed on resurfacing asphalt walking, driving, and parking areas at Coast Mountain Bus Company transit centres and bus loops. This critical work supports the continued safety of our bus facilities for customers and employees today and for years to come.

    Active Projects

    2021 paving work is now complete, we would like to thank customers for their patience during these upgrades. Pavement rehabilitation work will resume in 2022.

    Past Projects

    Throughout summer of 2020 and 2021, we completed pavement rehabilitation projects at:

    • Richmond Transit Centre

    • Blanca Bus Loop

    • Granville & 63th Bus Loop

    • Victoria & 54th Bus Loop

    • Production Way–University Exchange

    • Bridgeport Bus Exchange

    • Braid Bus Exchange

    Thank you for your patience during construction!

    Braille and Tactile Walking Surface Indicators

    TransLink is installing braille signage on every bus stop pole across the system by the end of 2022. To make it easier to find bus stops, TransLink will also install tactile walking surface indicators (TWSI) at every bus stop on TransLink-owned property.

    The braille bus stop signs will contain:

    • Information written in both Unified English Braille and raised tactile letters

    • Bus stop ID numbers

    • Bus routes serving that bus stop

    • Bay or bus stop indicators

    • Customer Information phone number

    In addition to the braille signage, tactile walking surface indicators will be installed at every bus stop on property that TransLink owns. These raised surface indicators will be mounted on the ground to help customers who are blind or partially sighted know they are near a bus stop while helping direct them to the front door of the bus.

    These improvements will help customers who are blind or partially sighted to better navigate the transit system by letting them know which stop they are at and which buses they are waiting for. TransLink will be the first transit system in Canada to install braille signage across its entire bus system once installation is complete.