NINE Reindeer Buses are sleighed into service on Thursday, continuing a beloved holiday tradition in Metro Vancouver.
In addition to spreading cheer and making spirits bright, the red-nosed reindeers will collect and deliver donated toys for Metro Vancouver families in need.
The Reindeer Bus is part of a 36-year initiative known as Toys for Tots. Each year, toys and cash donations from staff at Coast Mountain bus depots and TransLink offices are delivered from the Reindeer Bus to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau to be distributed to low-income families.
“The last two years have been especially challenging for many families in our region and giving back to our community is incredibly important,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “I’m proud of the contributions made by our employees and hope that these buses and the donations will bring a smile to many faces this holiday season.”
Reindeer facts:
- Over the years, 86,912 toys and over $50,500 have been donated
- Each Reindeer Bus is named after a different reindeer guiding Santa’s sleigh
- The routes the Reindeer Buses will travel on will vary each day based on scheduling by elves in each bus depot
- The buses have been decorated by Santa’s elves at each bus depot
Customers who would like to donate to Toys for Tots can drop off unwrapped toys until December 14 — before the toys are delivered to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau by Santa and Mrs. Claus on the Reindeer Bus — at the following locations:
- Compass Customer Service Centre outside of Stadium–Chinatown Station
- SkyTrain Customer Assistance Counter at Commercial–Broadway
- Leave them with SeaBus staff at Waterfront or Lonsdale Quay SeaBus Terminals
Customers who spot the Reindeer Buses are encouraged to upload a picture to social media, using #ReindeerBus.
TransLink has also launched a new line of holiday merchandise featuring the Reindeer Bus in its online store.
