TransLink announces new RapidBus service

TransLinkhas unveiled itsnew limited-stop bus service, which it sayswill be hitting the road in January.

In a written statement, TransLink saysthe distinctly blue and green 'RapidBus' will service five regional routes and will have the combined capacity to move more than 12,000 customers per hour during rush hour.

"The B-Lines have served us well over many years, but we've taken the new RapidBus service to the next level. RapidBus will deliver a faster, more frequent service with new customer amenities," said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond

On July 19, TransLinkalso previewed the look of its new double-decker buses on social media. The fleet will service Metro Vancouver starting in the fall of 2019.

What makes them faster?

TransLink said RapidBus will be 20 per cent faster than local bus service because of bus-only lanes, fewer stops, signal priority andall door boarding.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Desmond said the bus stops will have real-time digital signsto let customers know when the next bus is arriving. He also said customers with vision impairment will be able to push a button on the signs to getaudio updates.

Where they will run

TransLink said the following routes will be running at least every 10minutes during peak hours:

• R1: King George Boulevard (Guildford Town Centre to Newton Exchange) upgraded 96 B-Line
• R2: Marine Drive (Park Royal to Phibbs Exchange)
• R3: Lougheed Highway (Coquitlam Central Station to Haney Place)
• R4: 41st Avenue (UBC to JoyceCollingwood Station)
• R5: Hastings (SFU to Burrard Station) upgraded 95 B-Line

AtTuesday's news conference, Desmond confirmed Vancouver's 99 bus is the only one keeping the B-linemoniker. It will be retired with the opening of the Broadway Subway in 2025.

TransLink said two additional RapidBus routes are plannedin Surrey, Delta and Richmond for 2021.