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TransLink (Vancouver)
Encyclopedia
TransLink is the organization responsible for the regional transportation network of Metro Vancouver in British Columbia
, Canada
, including public transport and major roads and bridges. Its main facilities are located in the city of Burnaby.
TransLink was created in 1998 (then called the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, or GVTA) and fully implemented in April 1999 by the Government of British Columbia to replace BC Transit
in the Greater Vancouver Regional District and assume many transportation responsibilities previously held by the provincial government. TransLink is responsible for various modes of transportation in the Metro Vancouver region. Some of its operations extend into the Fraser Valley Regional District
(FVRD). On November 29, 2007, the province of British Columbia approved legislation changing the governance structure and official name of the organization.
, a subsidiary of TransLink, operates regular transit buses, generally powered by diesel or natural gas, in most of the region's municipalities, in addition to trolley buses
primarily within the City of Vancouver. The District Municipality of West Vancouver owns and operates the Blue Bus
system serving West Vancouver and Lions Bay. The schedules, fares, and routes of these services are integrated with other transit services operated by TransLink.
Within the City of Vancouver, buses generally run on a grid system, with most trolley bus routes operating radially out of Downtown and along north–south arteries, and most diesel buses providing east–west crosstown service, with the University of British Columbia
(UBC) as their western terminus. Outside the City of Vancouver, most buses operate on a hub-and-spoke system along feeder routes that connect with SkyTrain
, SeaBus
, West Coast Express
, or other regional centres.
Two high-capacity, high-frequency B-Line express routes use articulated bus
es, rounding out the regional public transportation backbone provided by SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express.
Electric trolley buses
operate on major routes in the City of Vancouver, with one route extending to neighbouring Burnaby. Most trolley bus routes operate in a north–south direction. Trolley buses receive electricity from a network of overhead wires. In the fall of 2006, TransLink introduced a new generation of electric trolley buses, replacing the old models built in the early 1980s. The new trolley buses have low floors and are fully wheelchair accessible.
Many local routes are serviced with buses manufactured by New Flyer
and Nova Bus
. More recently, TransLink has been utilizing hybrid diesel-electric buses
. Some suburban routes use Orion
coaches with high-back seats and luggage racks.
In late 2007, all TransLink buses became designated "fare paid zones". Under this system, a rider is required to retain a proof of payment (transfer) while on board the bus and produce it upon request by a transit official. On designated routes, larger three-door buses allow passengers to board through rear doors. As they are bypassing the driver and fare box, they must have a previously paid fare in their possession. On all other buses, passengers are required to board through the front doors and should show a valid fare to the bus driver. Fare inspections on buses are normally conducted by Transit Security Officers and on occasion by the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service. Failure to produce proof of payment may result in ejection from the bus and/or a fine of $173.
TransLink also operates a late-night bus service, called NightBus, along a series of routes extending from downtown throughout the city and to several suburbs. NightBuses leave Downtown Vancouver until 3 am. For the safety of passengers late at night, Transit Security Officers ride some of the nightbuses and respond to calls on board other nightbuses.
Originally completed in 1985 as a transit showcase for Expo 86
, the SkyTrain
automated rapid transit
system has become an important part of the region's transportation network. The original Expo Line operates from Downtown Vancouver
through southern Burnaby, New Westminster, and into Surrey
.
The system was further expanded with the opening of the Millennium Line
in 2002, which links eastern New Westminster and northern Burnaby to Vancouver. The Millennium Line was expected to eventually branch northeast through Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, this SkyTrain network extension will now be known as the Evergreen Line. It is expected to be open in summer 2016.
The Canada Line
, which opened on August 17, 2009, runs underground through Vancouver and then along an elevated guideway with two branches, to Richmond
and Vancouver International Airport
. It meets the other two lines at Waterfront Station
in downtown Vancouver, but it is operationally independent and has no track connection to them.
The Expo Line and Millennium Line are operated by British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd., a subsidiary of TransLink. The Canada Line is operated by ProTrans BC, a private concessionaire.
is a commuter railway
connecting downtown Vancouver to Metro Vancouver municipalities to the east and terminating in Mission
in the FVRD, north of the Fraser River
. It is operated by a subsidiary of TransLink.
is a passenger ferry service across Burrard Inlet
between Vancouver and the North Shore
municipalities that is operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company and integrated with the transit system. It holds approximately 400 people and sails every 15 minutes during rush hour.
The Albion ferry
was a free automobile ferry service between Langley Township
and Maple Ridge
across the Fraser River. The ferry service was retired when the Golden Ears Bridge opened, on June 16, 2009.
Below are the fare prices in Canadian Dollar
s effective January 1, 2008:
All Transit Fare holders are permitted to unlimited transfers throughout the number of zones printed on the ticket within a 90-minute period.
Concession fares apply to children aged 5–13, seniors aged 65+, and high school students aged 14–19 with a valid student identification card from a school in Metro Vancouver (known as a GoCard). Children aged 4 and younger ride for free. Zone fares apply weekdays before 6:30 pm. During evenings and on weekends, passengers can travel throughout the system on a one-zone fare. Students of the University of British Columbia
, Simon Fraser University, Langara College
, and Capilano University students receive a U-Pass
, which is included in student fees and is valid across all three zones. These U-Pass programs are negotiated as service contracts between TransLink and individual universities or student unions.
Failure to pay the fare is an offence under the Transit Conduct and Safety Regulations. Persons found without a valid fare are served with a Provincial Violation Ticket of $173 ($150 statutory fine and $23 Victims Surcharge). Fare inspections are conducted by the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service and Transit Security. Fraudulent use of fares (using a fake pass, using someone else's non-transferable pass, etc.) may result in criminal charges.
A limited-edition 2010 Winter Olympics
transit pass was made available for purchase. The pass was valid for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (February 8, 2010 to March 21, 2010).
In addition, an event ticket for the Games entitled the holder unlimited access to all TransLink transit services for the day of that event.
Coast Mountain Bus Company operates the security department, commonly known as the Transit Security Department. Transit Security Officers are mobile, ride buses and trains, inspect fares, and patrol TransLink properties. They work closely with SCBCTAPS to ensure safety throughout the transit network. Transit Security Officers are authorized to arrest persons committing criminal offences on or in relation to any TransLink property, as per the Criminal Code of Canada
. Transit Security Officers are also authorized to enforce Transit Conduct and Safety Regulations pursuant to the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act and to enforce the Transit Tariff. The Transit Security Department is also responsible for the CCTV camera system on board buses.
On November 14, 2006, the Canadian government announced that it would spend $37 million for improvements to transit security across Canada, including $9.8 million for the Vancouver area, although no details have been released as to how this money will be spent. CCTV cameras have been installed on some TransLink buses.
. It also created brands for the body's different services, each with a different logo based on these colours, with the exception of the West Coast Express
. The board decided against changing West Coast Express's purple colour to blue, since purple and yellow create a premium brand differentiable from TransLink's blue and yellow livery. Repainting of vehicles did not incur any additional costs, as it was completed during regular maintenance repaints or new vehicle purchases. At the time of approval, TransLink estimated that it would take until the end of 2007 to convert the entire fleet to the new livery.
, and Golden Ears Bridge
. TransLink coordinates and funds major capital projects on the Major Road Network. For minor projects, TransLink contributes up to half of the costs of municipal capital projects, up to the maximum funding allocated to each municipality.
TransLink invests $6 million in cycling each year (as of 2007). This money is spread among capital and operating projects, with some allocated to cost-sharing programs, which result in additional investment in cycling.
Metro Vancouver has a growing network of cycling paths. TransLink allocates funding to each municipality for cycling improvements, such as bike paths, through a cost-sharing program called the Bicycle Infrastructure Capital Cost Sharing Program. TransLink contributes up to half of the costs of municipal capital projects, up to the maximum funding allocated to each municipality. Municipalities are eligible to apply for a share of the available funding each year. Most of the funding is allocated this way whilst some funding is available in a competitive process called Regional Needs. The funding process is overseen by the Bicycle Working Group, composed of municipal bicycle representatives.
TransLink also produces a regional cycling map, which is available for sale or as a free .pdf file downloadable from its website. Many municipalities also produce their own local cycling maps.
TransLink supports many cycling-related community initiatives and events, particularly Bike Month, held every June.
All modes of transit in Metro Vancouver carry bicycles. Most buses operated by TransLink have bike racks, supplied by SportWorks. Bikes are allowed on the SeaBus. Bikes are also allowed on SkyTrain, except during weekday rush hours in the peak direction of travel (inbound to Vancouver in the morning rush hour and outbound from Vancouver in the evening rush hour).
TransLink installs and maintains bicycle parking racks and lockers at SkyTrain stations and transit interchanges through private contractors.
. Because of this, TransLink initiated the Access Transit Project, whose final report was completed in June 2007.
Some wheelchair users have complained that drivers sometimes fail to board wheelchairs before other passengers, which results in difficulties boarding, turning, and parking in designated wheelchair areas. There is space for two wheelchairs on each bus, and the wheelchair area is also used for walkers
and baby strollers
. Passengers in wheelchairs have priority for these positions, and lower-priority users (such as those with strollers) are required to vacate the space as needed. The fareboxes on buses have been the subject of complaints from some wheelchair users, since their size and placement makes it difficult for users of certain types of chairs or electric scooters
to manoeuvre around them.
In August 2006, TransLink began replacing its entire fleet of inaccessible electric trolley bus
es with low-floor trolley buses, 188 standard 12.2-m (40-foot) vehicles. In 2008 and 2009, it placed in service 74 new articulated
18.3-m (60-foot) trolley buses, which are used on routes #3 (Main), #8 (Fraser), and #20 (Victoria). By the end of 2009, the entire fleet of trolley buses was low-floor and accessible.
In late 2008, TransLink introduced voice announcement systems on most buses to help those with vision impairments or unfamiliar with the region, and to allow operators to focus on driving instead of making announcements. The annunciators use a computer-generated voice to call out bus stops and other messages, using GPS technology installed on each bus to identify the bus's location and the next stop. There are still a few problems with the system, however, such as audio quality and volume levels.
While most elevators at newer stations are bright and glass-enclosed, some elevators at older stations are small, dark, and removed from main entrances and exits, giving rise to concerns about personal safety.
Some newer accessibility features introduced include Bombardier Mark II cars with door indicator lights and LED route maps
is a supplementary system that provides transportation service to those who are unable to use the regular system due to mobility problems or a lack of accessible transit. HandyDART service is operated by seven different contractors throughout Metro Vancouver, most of which are not-for-profit corporations.
HandyDART users apply for a pass and pay for each trip. Each trip must be pre-booked, up to one week in advance, and is subject to availability at the desired time. Each contractor operates regionally, meaning that it is not always possible to use HandyDART for an entire trip (for example, from Burnaby to Vancouver).
Board members are in three groups, serving one-, two-, and three-year terms. The current members are:
announced a restructuring of TransLink. Major changes include new revenue-generating measures, a restructuring of the executive of the body, and increases in the areas under TransLink's jurisdiction.
The reorganization of TransLink proposed the following changes:
Falcon had previously called the old board "dysfunctional", saying that board members were focused on the interests of their own municipalities instead of the broader interests of the region. According to Falcon, the board of directors had "no ability there to develop the skill-set to understand major, multi-billion projects." British Columbia New Democratic Party critic David Chudnovsky
responded that the reorganization was "ludicrous" and that its purpose was "to get power away from our elected municipal politicians because once in a while they disagree with the aggressive privatization agenda of Mr. Falcon". Chudnovsky was also worried about the consequences of a property development slowdown.
On April 26, 2007, the provincial government introduced legislation to restructure TransLink. The proposed successor body was to be known as the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority. The legislation received Royal Assent
on November 29, 2007 and came into effect on January 1, 2008, with some parts of the organization, like the Council of Mayors, beginning functions the day after the legislation was approved.
On March 19, 2008, the Vancouver Sun reported that TransLink was launching a real estate division that may produce over $1.5 billion in revenue over the ensuing ten years.
NDP critic Maurine Karagianis
introduced a private member's bill dubbed the "TransLink Openness Act".
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, including public transport and major roads and bridges. Its main facilities are located in the city of Burnaby.
TransLink was created in 1998 (then called the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, or GVTA) and fully implemented in April 1999 by the Government of British Columbia to replace BC Transit
BC Transit
BC Transit is a provincial crown agency responsible for coordinating the delivery of public transportation within British Columbia, Canada, outside of Greater Vancouver...
in the Greater Vancouver Regional District and assume many transportation responsibilities previously held by the provincial government. TransLink is responsible for various modes of transportation in the Metro Vancouver region. Some of its operations extend into the Fraser Valley Regional District
Fraser Valley Regional District
The Fraser Valley Regional District is a regional district in British Columbia, Canada. The FVRD covers an area of 13,361.74 km²...
(FVRD). On November 29, 2007, the province of British Columbia approved legislation changing the governance structure and official name of the organization.
Transit
Buses
Buses in Metro Vancouver are operated by two companies. Coast Mountain Bus CompanyCoast Mountain Bus Company
Coast Mountain Bus Company is the contract operator for bus transit services in Metro Vancouver and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority known locally as TransLink, the entity responsible for transit...
, a subsidiary of TransLink, operates regular transit buses, generally powered by diesel or natural gas, in most of the region's municipalities, in addition to trolley buses
Trolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
primarily within the City of Vancouver. The District Municipality of West Vancouver owns and operates the Blue Bus
West Vancouver Blue Bus
West Vancouver Blue Bus Transit system began in 1912, and is the oldest continuously operated, municipal system in North America. These buses are part of the TransLink network but continue to be owned and operated by the District Municipality of West Vancouver under a contract to...
system serving West Vancouver and Lions Bay. The schedules, fares, and routes of these services are integrated with other transit services operated by TransLink.
Within the City of Vancouver, buses generally run on a grid system, with most trolley bus routes operating radially out of Downtown and along north–south arteries, and most diesel buses providing east–west crosstown service, with the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
(UBC) as their western terminus. Outside the City of Vancouver, most buses operate on a hub-and-spoke system along feeder routes that connect with SkyTrain
SkyTrain (Vancouver)
SkyTrain is a light rapid transit system in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. SkyTrain has of track and uses fully automated trains on grade-separated tracks, running mostly on elevated guideways, which helps SkyTrain to hold consistently high on-time reliability...
, SeaBus
SeaBus
The SeaBus is a passenger-only ferry service in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It crosses Burrard Inlet to connect the cities of Vancouver and North Vancouver. The SeaBus is owned and operated by the Coast Mountain Bus Company and is an important part of TransLink's integrated public...
, West Coast Express
West Coast Express
West Coast Express is the interregional commuter railway in British Columbia, Canada. Opened in 1995, it links Mission, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody with Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver, where it interchanges with SkyTrain rapid transit, SeaBus and...
, or other regional centres.
Articulated bus
An articulated bus is an articulated vehicle used in public transportation. It is usually a single-deck design, and comprises two rigid sections linked by a pivoting joint...
es, rounding out the regional public transportation backbone provided by SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express.
Electric trolley buses
Trolleybuses in Vancouver
The Vancouver trolleybus system forms part of the public transport network serving Metro Vancouver, in the province of British Columbia, Canada....
operate on major routes in the City of Vancouver, with one route extending to neighbouring Burnaby. Most trolley bus routes operate in a north–south direction. Trolley buses receive electricity from a network of overhead wires. In the fall of 2006, TransLink introduced a new generation of electric trolley buses, replacing the old models built in the early 1980s. The new trolley buses have low floors and are fully wheelchair accessible.
Many local routes are serviced with buses manufactured by New Flyer
New Flyer Industries
New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:...
and Nova Bus
Nova Bus
Nova Bus is a Canadian bus manufacturer in North America, owned by Volvo Buses, and headquartered in Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada.- History :The factory was originally a General Motors plant for building city transit buses intended for the Canadian market...
. More recently, TransLink has been utilizing hybrid diesel-electric buses
Hybrid electric bus
A hybrid electric bus combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. These type of buses normally use a diesel-electric powertrain and are also known as hybrid diesel-electric buses....
. Some suburban routes use Orion
Orion Bus Industries
Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975...
coaches with high-back seats and luggage racks.
In late 2007, all TransLink buses became designated "fare paid zones". Under this system, a rider is required to retain a proof of payment (transfer) while on board the bus and produce it upon request by a transit official. On designated routes, larger three-door buses allow passengers to board through rear doors. As they are bypassing the driver and fare box, they must have a previously paid fare in their possession. On all other buses, passengers are required to board through the front doors and should show a valid fare to the bus driver. Fare inspections on buses are normally conducted by Transit Security Officers and on occasion by the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service. Failure to produce proof of payment may result in ejection from the bus and/or a fine of $173.
TransLink also operates a late-night bus service, called NightBus, along a series of routes extending from downtown throughout the city and to several suburbs. NightBuses leave Downtown Vancouver until 3 am. For the safety of passengers late at night, Transit Security Officers ride some of the nightbuses and respond to calls on board other nightbuses.
SkyTrain
Expo 86
The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply Expo '86, was a World's Fair held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from Friday, May 2 until Monday, October 13, 1986...
, the SkyTrain
SkyTrain (Vancouver)
SkyTrain is a light rapid transit system in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. SkyTrain has of track and uses fully automated trains on grade-separated tracks, running mostly on elevated guideways, which helps SkyTrain to hold consistently high on-time reliability...
automated rapid transit
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
system has become an important part of the region's transportation network. The original Expo Line operates from Downtown Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
through southern Burnaby, New Westminster, and into Surrey
Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey is a city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver, the governing body of the Greater Vancouver Regional District...
.
The system was further expanded with the opening of the Millennium Line
Millennium Line
The Millennium Line is the second rapid transit line built in the SkyTrain light metro rapid transit system in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The line is owned and operated by TransLink. Millennium Line uses the colour yellow on route maps, wayfinding and station signage.-History:When...
in 2002, which links eastern New Westminster and northern Burnaby to Vancouver. The Millennium Line was expected to eventually branch northeast through Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, this SkyTrain network extension will now be known as the Evergreen Line. It is expected to be open in summer 2016.
The Canada Line
Canada Line
Canada Line is a rapid transit line in the Metro Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada. Opened in August 2009, it is the third line in TransLink's SkyTrain metro network, servicing Vancouver, Richmond, and the Vancouver International Airport...
, which opened on August 17, 2009, runs underground through Vancouver and then along an elevated guideway with two branches, to Richmond
Richmond, British Columbia
Richmond is a coastal city, incorporated in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Part of Metro Vancouver, its neighbouring communities are Vancouver and Burnaby to the north, New Westminster to the east, and Delta to the south, while the Strait of Georgia forms its western border...
and Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, about from Downtown Vancouver. In 2010 it was the second busiest airport in Canada by aircraft movements and passengers , behind Toronto Pearson International Airport, with non-stop flights daily to...
. It meets the other two lines at Waterfront Station
Waterfront Station (Vancouver)
Waterfront Station is a major intermodal public transportation facility and the main transit terminus in Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.-Location:...
in downtown Vancouver, but it is operationally independent and has no track connection to them.
The Expo Line and Millennium Line are operated by British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd., a subsidiary of TransLink. The Canada Line is operated by ProTrans BC, a private concessionaire.
West Coast Express
West Coast ExpressWest Coast Express
West Coast Express is the interregional commuter railway in British Columbia, Canada. Opened in 1995, it links Mission, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody with Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver, where it interchanges with SkyTrain rapid transit, SeaBus and...
is a commuter railway
Commuter rail in North America
Commuter rail services in the United States, Canada, and Mexico provide common carrier passenger transportation along railway tracks, with scheduled service on fixed routes on a non-reservation basis primarily for short-distance travel between a central business district and adjacent suburbs and...
connecting downtown Vancouver to Metro Vancouver municipalities to the east and terminating in Mission
Mission, British Columbia
Mission, the core of which was formerly known as Mission City, is a district municipality in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated on the north bank of the Fraser River overlooking the City of Abbotsford and with that city is part of the Central Fraser Valley. Mission is the...
in the FVRD, north of the Fraser River
Fraser River
The Fraser River is the longest river within British Columbia, Canada, rising at Fraser Pass near Mount Robson in the Rocky Mountains and flowing for , into the Strait of Georgia at the city of Vancouver. It is the tenth longest river in Canada...
. It is operated by a subsidiary of TransLink.
SeaBus/Ferries
SeaBusSeaBus
The SeaBus is a passenger-only ferry service in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It crosses Burrard Inlet to connect the cities of Vancouver and North Vancouver. The SeaBus is owned and operated by the Coast Mountain Bus Company and is an important part of TransLink's integrated public...
is a passenger ferry service across Burrard Inlet
Burrard Inlet
Burrard Inlet is a relatively shallow-sided coastal fjord in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Formed during the last Ice Age, it separates the City of Vancouver and the rest of the low-lying Burrard Peninsula from the slopes of the North Shore Mountains, home to the communities of West...
between Vancouver and the North Shore
North Shore (Greater Vancouver)
"Vancouver's North Shore" is a term commonly used to refer to several areas adjacent to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:*the District of West Vancouver;*the City of North Vancouver;*the District of North Vancouver; and...
municipalities that is operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company and integrated with the transit system. It holds approximately 400 people and sails every 15 minutes during rush hour.
The Albion ferry
Albion Ferry
The Albion Ferry, also known as the Fort Langley Ferry, was a free passenger and vehicle ferry service that was sailing across the Fraser River from June 7, 1957 to July 31, 2009...
was a free automobile ferry service between Langley Township
Langley, British Columbia (district municipality)
The Township of Langley is a district municipality immediately east of the City of Surrey in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It extends south from the Fraser River to the U.S. border, and west of the City of Abbotsford...
and Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Maple Ridge is a District Municipality in British Columbia, located in the northeastern section of Metro Vancouver. Maple Ridge has a population of approximately 68,949.-History:...
across the Fraser River. The ferry service was retired when the Golden Ears Bridge opened, on June 16, 2009.
Transit fares
Below are the fare prices in Canadian Dollar
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
s effective January 1, 2008:
| Fare type | One Zone | Two Zones | Three Zones |
| Adult | $2.50 | $3.75 | $5.00 |
| Concession | $1.75 | $2.50 | $3.50 |
All Transit Fare holders are permitted to unlimited transfers throughout the number of zones printed on the ticket within a 90-minute period.
Concession fares apply to children aged 5–13, seniors aged 65+, and high school students aged 14–19 with a valid student identification card from a school in Metro Vancouver (known as a GoCard). Children aged 4 and younger ride for free. Zone fares apply weekdays before 6:30 pm. During evenings and on weekends, passengers can travel throughout the system on a one-zone fare. Students of the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
, Simon Fraser University, Langara College
Langara College
Langara College is a public degree-granting college in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada which serves approximately 20,000 students annually through its university, career, and continuing studies programs...
, and Capilano University students receive a U-Pass
U-Pass (Vancouver)
Translink U-Pass, as part of U-Pass BC program, is a student public transportation monthly pass valid on the TransLink system in the Metro Vancouver, British Columbia....
, which is included in student fees and is valid across all three zones. These U-Pass programs are negotiated as service contracts between TransLink and individual universities or student unions.
Failure to pay the fare is an offence under the Transit Conduct and Safety Regulations. Persons found without a valid fare are served with a Provincial Violation Ticket of $173 ($150 statutory fine and $23 Victims Surcharge). Fare inspections are conducted by the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service and Transit Security. Fraudulent use of fares (using a fake pass, using someone else's non-transferable pass, etc.) may result in criminal charges.
A limited-edition 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
transit pass was made available for purchase. The pass was valid for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (February 8, 2010 to March 21, 2010).
| Concession | One zone | Two zones | Three zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| $63 | $110 | $149 | $204 |
In addition, an event ticket for the Games entitled the holder unlimited access to all TransLink transit services for the day of that event.
Transit police
TransLink replaced its Special Provincial Constables, who held limited policing power, with the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service (now the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service, or SCBCTAPS), in December 2005. The move was not without controversy, as some riders objected to armed officers patrolling the system. A court case in which a woman was awarded $52,000 for allegedly being beaten by a flashlight-wielding officer, in an incident that occurred before the transition, confirmed such fears for some. In contrast to the former TransLink special constables, SCBCTAPS constables have full police powers both on and off of TransLink property. They are based in New Westminster, BC.Coast Mountain Bus Company operates the security department, commonly known as the Transit Security Department. Transit Security Officers are mobile, ride buses and trains, inspect fares, and patrol TransLink properties. They work closely with SCBCTAPS to ensure safety throughout the transit network. Transit Security Officers are authorized to arrest persons committing criminal offences on or in relation to any TransLink property, as per the Criminal Code of Canada
Criminal Code of Canada
The Criminal Code or Code criminel is a law that codifies most criminal offences and procedures in Canada. Its official long title is "An Act respecting the criminal law"...
. Transit Security Officers are also authorized to enforce Transit Conduct and Safety Regulations pursuant to the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act and to enforce the Transit Tariff. The Transit Security Department is also responsible for the CCTV camera system on board buses.
On November 14, 2006, the Canadian government announced that it would spend $37 million for improvements to transit security across Canada, including $9.8 million for the Vancouver area, although no details have been released as to how this money will be spent. CCTV cameras have been installed on some TransLink buses.
Livery
Shortly after its inception, the TransLink board of directors approved replacement of the old colours of BC Transit with TransLink's new blue and yellow colour scheme or liveryLivery
A livery is a uniform, insignia or symbol adorning, in a non-military context, a person, an object or a vehicle that denotes a relationship between the wearer of the livery and an individual or corporate body. Often, elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or corporate body feature in...
. It also created brands for the body's different services, each with a different logo based on these colours, with the exception of the West Coast Express
West Coast Express
West Coast Express is the interregional commuter railway in British Columbia, Canada. Opened in 1995, it links Mission, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody with Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver, where it interchanges with SkyTrain rapid transit, SeaBus and...
. The board decided against changing West Coast Express's purple colour to blue, since purple and yellow create a premium brand differentiable from TransLink's blue and yellow livery. Repainting of vehicles did not incur any additional costs, as it was completed during regular maintenance repaints or new vehicle purchases. At the time of approval, TransLink estimated that it would take until the end of 2007 to convert the entire fleet to the new livery.
Roads
TransLink owns and maintains the Major Road Network, which comprises most major regional arteries not owned by the provincial government. It includes 2,200 lane-km (1,367 lane-mi) of roadways and the Knight Street Bridge, Pattullo Bridge, Westham Island BridgeWestham Island Bridge
The Westham Island Bridge is a partially single-lane, wood-deck truss bridge located in Ladner, British Columbia. The bridge passes over Canoe Pass in the Fraser River Estuary and connects Ladner with Westham Island. The bridge's length is approximately 325 m...
, and Golden Ears Bridge
Golden Ears Bridge
The Golden Ears Bridge is a six-lane extradosed bridge in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. It spans the Fraser River, connecting Langley on the south side with Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge on the north side. The All Electronic Toll bridge, owned by TransLink, has a clearance of , and a total...
. TransLink coordinates and funds major capital projects on the Major Road Network. For minor projects, TransLink contributes up to half of the costs of municipal capital projects, up to the maximum funding allocated to each municipality.
Transit-related improvements
TransLink allocates funding to each municipality for transit improvements, such as transit priority signals, queue-jumping lanes for buses, and bus lanes. TransLink contributes up to half of the costs of municipal capital projects, up to the maximum funding allocated to each municipality.Cycling
TransLink employs several engineers and planners who administer various aspects of the bicycle program. TransLink works with many cycling stakeholders, such as the VACC (Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition).TransLink invests $6 million in cycling each year (as of 2007). This money is spread among capital and operating projects, with some allocated to cost-sharing programs, which result in additional investment in cycling.
Metro Vancouver has a growing network of cycling paths. TransLink allocates funding to each municipality for cycling improvements, such as bike paths, through a cost-sharing program called the Bicycle Infrastructure Capital Cost Sharing Program. TransLink contributes up to half of the costs of municipal capital projects, up to the maximum funding allocated to each municipality. Municipalities are eligible to apply for a share of the available funding each year. Most of the funding is allocated this way whilst some funding is available in a competitive process called Regional Needs. The funding process is overseen by the Bicycle Working Group, composed of municipal bicycle representatives.
TransLink also produces a regional cycling map, which is available for sale or as a free .pdf file downloadable from its website. Many municipalities also produce their own local cycling maps.
TransLink supports many cycling-related community initiatives and events, particularly Bike Month, held every June.
All modes of transit in Metro Vancouver carry bicycles. Most buses operated by TransLink have bike racks, supplied by SportWorks. Bikes are allowed on the SeaBus. Bikes are also allowed on SkyTrain, except during weekday rush hours in the peak direction of travel (inbound to Vancouver in the morning rush hour and outbound from Vancouver in the evening rush hour).
TransLink installs and maintains bicycle parking racks and lockers at SkyTrain stations and transit interchanges through private contractors.
Emission control
AirCare is a regionally mandated automobile emissions program and is operated by a subsidiary of TransLink. TransLink plans to phase out the program by 2011.Accessibility
Vancouver's public transit network is one of the most accessible. All vehicles, stations and facilities are fully accessible, however several issues exist on parts of the system, notably wheelchair accessibility in some areas. Improvements have been made, and accessibility issues became particularly important with the hosting of the Paralympic Winter Games in 20102010 Winter Paralympics
The 2010 Winter Paralympics, officially the X Paralympic Winter Games, or the 10th Winter Paralympics, were held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada from March 12 to 21, 2010. The Opening Ceremony took place in BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and the Closing Ceremony in Whistler...
. Because of this, TransLink initiated the Access Transit Project, whose final report was completed in June 2007.
Buses
All buses are accessible, with mostly low-floor vehicles that have ramps, and some high-floor vehicles that have specially designed lifts. However, some stops are considered inaccessible if there is insufficient room to deploy the lifts or ramps.Some wheelchair users have complained that drivers sometimes fail to board wheelchairs before other passengers, which results in difficulties boarding, turning, and parking in designated wheelchair areas. There is space for two wheelchairs on each bus, and the wheelchair area is also used for walkers
Walker (tool)
A walker or walking frame is a tool for disabled or elderly people who need additional support to maintain balance or stability while walking...
and baby strollers
Baby transport
Baby transport consists of devices for transporting and carrying infants. A "child carrier" or "baby carrier" is a device used to carry an infant or small child on the body of an adult...
. Passengers in wheelchairs have priority for these positions, and lower-priority users (such as those with strollers) are required to vacate the space as needed. The fareboxes on buses have been the subject of complaints from some wheelchair users, since their size and placement makes it difficult for users of certain types of chairs or electric scooters
Mobility scooter
A mobility scooter is a mobility aid equivalent to a wheelchair but configured like a motorscooter. It is often referred to as a power-operated vehicle/scooter or electric scooter as well.-Description:...
to manoeuvre around them.
In August 2006, TransLink began replacing its entire fleet of inaccessible electric trolley bus
Trolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
es with low-floor trolley buses, 188 standard 12.2-m (40-foot) vehicles. In 2008 and 2009, it placed in service 74 new articulated
Articulated bus
An articulated bus is an articulated vehicle used in public transportation. It is usually a single-deck design, and comprises two rigid sections linked by a pivoting joint...
18.3-m (60-foot) trolley buses, which are used on routes #3 (Main), #8 (Fraser), and #20 (Victoria). By the end of 2009, the entire fleet of trolley buses was low-floor and accessible.
In late 2008, TransLink introduced voice announcement systems on most buses to help those with vision impairments or unfamiliar with the region, and to allow operators to focus on driving instead of making announcements. The annunciators use a computer-generated voice to call out bus stops and other messages, using GPS technology installed on each bus to identify the bus's location and the next stop. There are still a few problems with the system, however, such as audio quality and volume levels.
SkyTrain
All of the SkyTrain network including stations and vehicles are accessible (each older Bombardier Mark I car has one wheelchair-designated spot, and newer Mark II and Hyundai Rotem cars have two).While most elevators at newer stations are bright and glass-enclosed, some elevators at older stations are small, dark, and removed from main entrances and exits, giving rise to concerns about personal safety.
Some newer accessibility features introduced include Bombardier Mark II cars with door indicator lights and LED route maps
West Coast Express
All West Coast Express trains and stations are accessible. Ramps are provided at stations for boarding, and trains feature two wheelchair spaces on most cars, as well as an accessible washroomHandyDART
HandyDARTHandyDART
HandyDART is an accessible transit service in British Columbia that uses vans or small buses to transport disabled or elderly passengers who cannot use the normal transit system...
is a supplementary system that provides transportation service to those who are unable to use the regular system due to mobility problems or a lack of accessible transit. HandyDART service is operated by seven different contractors throughout Metro Vancouver, most of which are not-for-profit corporations.
HandyDART users apply for a pass and pay for each trip. Each trip must be pre-booked, up to one week in advance, and is subject to availability at the desired time. Each contractor operates regionally, meaning that it is not always possible to use HandyDART for an entire trip (for example, from Burnaby to Vancouver).
Mayors’ Council
The Mayors’ Council is composed of the 21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities, who represent the interests of citizens of the region. The Mayors’ Council appoints the Board of Directors for TransLink and the Regional Transportation Commissioner. It approves plans prepared by TransLink, including the transportation plan, regional funding, and borrowing limits.TransLink Board of Directors
The TransLink board is made up of individuals selected based on their skills and expertise, who must act in the best interests of TransLink. They do not represent any other interests or constituencies. They are responsible for hiring, compensating, and monitoring the performance of the CEO and for providing oversight of TransLink’s strategic planning, finances, major capital projects, and operations.Board members are in three groups, serving one-, two-, and three-year terms. The current members are:
| Name | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dale Parker | 3 years | Chairman |
| Nancy Olewiler | 3 years | Professor of Economics and Director of the Public Policy Program, SFU |
| David Unruh | 3 years | Director, Union Gas |
| James Bruce | 2 years | Chair, 2010 Games Operating Trust Society |
| Sarah Goodman | 2 years | Vice-President, Weyerhaeuser Weyerhaeuser Weyerhaeuser is one of the largest pulp and paper companies in the world. It is the world's largest private sector owner of softwood timberland; and the second largest owner of United States timberland, behind Plum Creek Timber... |
| Robert Tribe | 2 years | Professional engineer |
| Bob Garnett | 1 years | Chartered accountant |
| Cindy Piper | 1 years | Urban planner |
| Skip Triplett Skip Triplett Skip Triplett was the President and CEO of Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Vancouver, British Columbia.-REfs:... |
1 years | Retired |
| Source: | ||
Chief Executive Officer
The CEO runs TransLink, as directed by the board, and is responsible for preparing plans and reports for approval by the board and for building and operating TransLink’s transportation services in line with its annual and long-term plans.Regional Transportation Commissioner
The Regional Transportation Commissioner must approve all cash fare increases greater than the rate of inflation. The Commissioner also approves TransLink’s plans for annual customer satisfaction surveys, its customer complaint process, and any proposed sale of major assets. The Regional Transportation Commissioner operates separately from the Mayors' Council, the TransLink Board of Directors, and TransLink staff.2007 reorganization
On March 8, 2007, BC Minister of Transportation Kevin FalconKevin Falcon
Kevin Falcon is a Canadian politician and is the current Deputy Premier of British Columbia, Canada. He is a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the district of Surrey-Cloverdale and is a member of the BC Liberals...
announced a restructuring of TransLink. Major changes include new revenue-generating measures, a restructuring of the executive of the body, and increases in the areas under TransLink's jurisdiction.
The reorganization of TransLink proposed the following changes:
- TransLink will have the authority to generate revenue by controlling development of land near and around transit stations, including overriding municipal land-use planning.
- The old board will be replaced by a Council of Mayors from the municipalities in the area served by TransLink, a board of non-political experts appointed by the provincial government, and an Independent Commissioner of TransLink appointed by the Council of Mayors.
- The Provincial Government will set the regional transportation vision.
- The Board will guide the operation of TransLink as per the 3- and 10-year transportation plans. It will also develop the options for 3- and 10-year plans; one option will be a base option which maintains the status quo.
- The Council of Mayors will vote on which 3- and 10-year transportation plan options to adopt. Mayors will receive one vote per 20,000 people, or portion thereof, in their jurisdiction.
- The TransLink Independent Commissioner will ensure that TransLink's 3- and 10-year transportation plans are consistent with the regional transportation vision set by the Provincial Government.
- TransLink's jurisduction is initially planned to be expanded to include MissionMission, British ColumbiaMission, the core of which was formerly known as Mission City, is a district municipality in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated on the north bank of the Fraser River overlooking the City of Abbotsford and with that city is part of the Central Fraser Valley. Mission is the...
, AbbotsfordAbbotsford, British ColumbiaAbbotsford is a Canadian city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, adjacent to Greater Vancouver. It is the fifth largest municipality in British Columbia, home to 123,864 people . Its Census Metropolitan Area, which includes the District of Mission, is the 23rd largest in Canada,...
, and SquamishSquamish, British ColumbiaSquamish is a community and a district municipality in the Canadian province of British Columbia, located at the north end of Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Highway...
. In the long term, this may be further expanded to include the area along the Sea-to-Sky Highway as far north as PembertonPemberton, British ColumbiaPemberton is a village north of Whistler in the Pemberton Valley of British Columbia in Canada, with a population of 2,192. Until the 1960s the village could be accessed only by train but that changed when Highway 99 was built through Whistler and Pemberton.-Climate:The climate of Pemberton is...
and east to HopeHope, British ColumbiaHope is a district municipality located at the confluence of the Fraser and Coquihalla rivers in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Hope is at the eastern end of both the Fraser Valley and the Lower Mainland region, and is at the southern end of the Fraser Canyon...
. - TransLink will be funded using an approximate ratio of 1/3 of revenue from fuel taxes, 1/3 of revenue from property taxes, and 1/3 of revenue from other non-government sources (e.g., fares, advertising, property development).
- TransLink will hold the power to increase funding from fuel tax from 12 cents per litre (55 cents per Imp gal or 45 cents per US gal) to 15 cents per litre (68 cents per Imp gal or 57 cents per US gal).
- TransLink will increase funding by raising property taxes, parking sales taxes, and other sources of revenue (e.g., fares, property development).
- TransLink will eliminate the parking tax (different from parking sales tax) and the BC Hydro transportation levy.
- AirCare will be removed from TransLink's authority and will become the responsibility of Metro Vancouver.
- The Provincial Government will continue to contribute toward rapid transit projects, but funding will be contingent on municipalities increasing population densities around planned rapid transit stations.
Falcon had previously called the old board "dysfunctional", saying that board members were focused on the interests of their own municipalities instead of the broader interests of the region. According to Falcon, the board of directors had "no ability there to develop the skill-set to understand major, multi-billion projects." British Columbia New Democratic Party critic David Chudnovsky
David Chudnovsky (politician)
David Chudnovsky is a Canadian politician. As a member of the New Democratic Party, he was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Vancouver-Kensington on May 17, 2005. He served as Opposition Critic for Transportation...
responded that the reorganization was "ludicrous" and that its purpose was "to get power away from our elected municipal politicians because once in a while they disagree with the aggressive privatization agenda of Mr. Falcon". Chudnovsky was also worried about the consequences of a property development slowdown.
On April 26, 2007, the provincial government introduced legislation to restructure TransLink. The proposed successor body was to be known as the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority. The legislation received Royal Assent
Royal Assent
The granting of royal assent refers to the method by which any constitutional monarch formally approves and promulgates an act of his or her nation's parliament, thus making it a law...
on November 29, 2007 and came into effect on January 1, 2008, with some parts of the organization, like the Council of Mayors, beginning functions the day after the legislation was approved.
On March 19, 2008, the Vancouver Sun reported that TransLink was launching a real estate division that may produce over $1.5 billion in revenue over the ensuing ten years.
NDP critic Maurine Karagianis
Maurine Karagianis
Maurine Karagianis is a Canadian politician, currently the New Democratic Party MLA for the riding of Esquimalt-Royal Roads in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia....
introduced a private member's bill dubbed the "TransLink Openness Act".