TRANSLINK said on Monday it is making it easier for thousands of people to get to work, school, and other important destinations this fall by adding capacity on busy routes, improving reliability, and expanding transit into growing employment areas.

Starting September 7, customers will see new or improved service on 21 routes across Metro Vancouver. These changes include the early delivery of two major 2025 Investment Plan commitments: the extension of the R2 RapidBus to Metrotown, and the introduction of the new #556 service to Langley’s Gloucester Industrial Area.

These improvements are helping workers reach major job centres, giving employers access to a wider workforce, connecting students to post-secondary campuses, and providing more service in growing communities across Metro Vancouver. The upgrades are made possible by TransLink’s 2025 Investment Plan, approved by the Mayors’ Council. 

Fast-tracked and being delivered three months ahead of schedule, the R2 Marine–Willingdon RapidBus will be extended from Phibbs Exchange to Metrotown Station, and will create a new all-day direct connection across one of the region’s busiest corridors. The upgraded R2 will replace the #222 Willingdon Express, which will end service on September 4. The existing R2 RapidBus has more than 1.9 million boardings per year; the route extension will:

• Reduce wait times with six-to-seven-minute frequencies during peak periods.
• Add 60-foot articulated buses along the corridor, with 50 per cent more room on board.
• Connect students and workers to Capilano University (via Route 245), SFU, and BCIT.

To make the best use of TransLink’s bus fleet and match vehicle capacity with ridership demand, vehicle size on the R3 Lougheed Highway RapidBus will transition to 40-foot buses. Service levels will remain unchanged, and customers are expected to be able to find a seat on approximately 99 per cent of trips. All-door boarding will no longer be available, and customers will board through the front door.

Launching one year ahead of schedule, the new #556 community shuttle route will bring transit service to Gloucester Industrial Estates for the first time, connecting workers to a growing employment area in Langley Township and helping employers reach a wider workforce. The route was developed in response to community feedback and will support an area expected to see more than 7,500 jobs added over the next decade. The #556 will connect Langley Centre and Gloucester Industrial Estates via 56 Avenue, operating every 30 minutes during weekday peak hours.

“We’re so excited to provide people with a direct, reliable transit connection to the Gloucester Industrial Area — giving new access to jobs and helping employers attract and retain the talent they need,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “By delivering this route a full year ahead of schedule, we’re supporting local workers and businesses faster, while strengthening our regional economy.”

Through the 2025 Investment Plan, work also continues to deliver new or improved service to other key industrial areas in Metro Vancouver, including Annacis Island, Campbell Heights in Surrey, and Tilbury in Delta.

In addition, TransLink is improving access, reliability, and connectivity across the region by increasing year-round service on 19 other routes this fall. Seasonal service also returns to provide more trips on five routes serving post-secondary schools, including UBC, SFU, and Capilano University.

Together, these changes will create more room on busy routes, improve connections to jobs and campuses, and support growing communities with transit that better meets people’s daily needs.

More route information and full details can be found at Fall Service Changes.