TRANSLINK says it is improving safety and comfort with new solar-powered lights at bus stops.
The project will test lights at 14 locations where customers or staff have identified a need for improved lighting. The initiative will improve visibility for both bus operators and waiting passengers — helping customers feel safer and more visible when travelling at night or in the early morning.
“This initiative is part of our commitment to improve the customer experience through innovation,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “We’ve heard from riders that lighting makes a big difference at bus stops, and this pilot will help us explore how solar technology can make waiting for the bus safer and more comfortable.”
The new lights:
- Illuminate at the push of a button located on the bus stop pole
- Use LED bulbs powered by a solar panel
- Are developed by BC-based company Urban Solar
The test locations are spaced throughout Metro Vancouver to get feedback from riders across the region, with a focus on popular stops where customers have identified a need for better lighting. Nine locations are currently installed with five more to be installed in the coming weeks.
| Municipality | Location | Bus Routes |
| Burnaby | Willingdon @ Canada Way | 25, 130 |
| Langley City | Fraser Highway @ 196a Street | 501, 502, 503 |
| Delta | Highway 17 @ Tsawwassen Drive | 620 |
| North Vancouver City | W 15 Street @ Lonsdale Avenue | 240, 241 |
| North Vancouver District | Dollarton Highway @ 3100 Block | 212 |
| Surrey | Scott Road @ 80th Avenue | 301, 319 |
| Tsawwassen First Nation | 52nd Street @ Canoe Pass Way | 601, 609 |
| White Rock | Marine Drive @ Stevens Street | 354, 361 |
| White Rock | Thrift Avenue @ Johnston Road | 321, 345 |
| Municipality | Location | Bus Routes |
| Delta | 72nd Avenue and Scott Road | 312, 316, 391 |
| North Vancouver City | E 15 Street @Lonsdale Avenue | 240, 255, 881 |
| Surrey | 128 Street @ 96 Avenue | 323, 393 |
| Surrey | 156 Street @104 Avenue | 326, 335 |
| West Vancouver | Keith Road @ Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal | 257 |
This project is a result of Urban Solar’s winning submission in TransLink’s 2024 Open Call for Innovation, an annual program inviting organizations and entrepreneurs to propose creative suggestions for new technologies that could improve the customer experience.
TransLink is testing the technology’s effectiveness and will gather feedback from both customers and Bus Operators, which will help determine whether to expand the program to more stops in the future. Customers can share their feedback through a QR code posted on the bus stop poles at each location.
