TRANSLINK’S Reindeer Bus fleet hit the streets on Tuesday, spreading festive cheer across Metro Vancouver. The West Coast Express Santa Train also returns in December, bringing holiday magic to the region.
The iconic, red-nosed reindeers will collect and deliver toys to families in need as part of the Toys for Tots program. Each year, toys and cash donations are collected from staff at Coast Mountain Bus Company, BC Rapid Transit Company, HandyDART, Transit Police, and TransLink offices, and delivered to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.
New this year, customers will be able to track their favourite Reindeer Bus when they’re in service by using the Reindeer Bus tracker.
“Our Reindeer Buses and Santa Train are a beloved holiday tradition,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “We’re proud to support local charities and I encourage everyone to donate and take part in spreading joy and making the season brighter for those in need.”
Now in its 39th year, the Toys for Tots program is set to reach a milestone of donating 100,000 toys to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.
“Toys for Tots has helped thousands of families create special holiday memories for nearly 40 years,” says Executive Director for the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau Chris Bayliss. “Every donation matters, and we’re thrilled to work with TransLink to deliver these gifts to families in need.”
Reindeer Bus Facts:
- Over the years, 97,756 toys and over $56,660 have been collected and donated.
- The routes the Reindeer Bus will travel vary each day based on scheduling by elves at 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 at the following locations until Thursday, December 19:
- TransLink Customer Service Centre at Waterfront Station
- SkyTrain Customer Assistance Counter at Commercial–Broadway Station
- Lonsdale Quay SeaBus Terminal
The West Coast Express Santa Train also returns this year on Saturday, December 14. Families can hop aboard the festive train for free by donating a new, unwrapped toy or cash donation in exchange for a Compass DayPass. For more details on the schedule, visit translink.ca/wce.
Donations for the Santa Train will benefit the communities served by the West Coast Express. Beneficiaries include the Mission Christmas Bureau, the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society, the Tri-Cities Share Society, and the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.
Last year, over 6,000 customers took the West Coast Express Santa Train, donating 2,249 toys and over $2,800
No trip on a Reindeer Bus or the West Coast Express Santa Train would be complete without the latest TransLink Holiday Sweater. The TransLink Store has launched a new line of holiday merchandise, visit translinkstore.ca to find the perfect stocking stuffer for the transit lover in your life.
