Input will help decide between two route options

NEW WESTMINSTER, BC – TransLink is launching public engagement on the future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route between Metrotown and the North Shore. Members of the public are being asked to provide feedback on the project, rank features that are most important to them, and pick which of the two routes they prefer.

BRT will provide fast, frequent, and reliable service by operating with dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority at intersections, and weather-protected stations.

Buses will operate between Metrotown and Park Royal via the Ironworker’s Memorial Bridge. There are two possibilities for the route south of the bridge:

• Option 1: Connecting via Hastings Street and Willingdon Avenue.

• Option 2: Connecting via Boundary Road and Lougheed Highway.

While BRT typically operates with dedicated bus lanes, no traffic lanes will be removed on the Ironworker’s Memorial Bridge for this project.

Station locations were determined based on the following main criteria:

• Facilitating connections with major locations like SkyTrain’s Expo Line (Metrotown Station) and Millennium Line (Brentwood Town Centre Station), as well as with SeaBus at Lonsdale Exchange, and other transit hubs like Phibbs Exchange, the Kootenay Loop, and Park Royal.
• Supporting growing residential areas and key destinations like Metrotown, BCIT, Brentwood Town Centre, Burnaby Heights, Lynn Creek, Lower Lonsdale, Capilano Mall and Park Royal.
• Speeding up service for customers by having limited stops throughout the corridor that are spaced out.

Through the Access for Everyone plan, TransLink has identified up to nine corridors for BRT implementation; with the first three announced in late 2023. Engagement on the King George Boulevard and Langley-Haney Place BRT corridors took place earlier this year, with nearly 15,000 survey responses and 89 per cent support for the projects.

All three BRT projects have preliminary funding to advance planning work through the 2025 Investment Plan. Further funds will be needed to advance the project, and TransLink is working to secure this funding from all levels of government through future investment plans. TransLink estimates that BRT construction can be completed within three years, once full funding is secured.

Members of the public can learn more and participate in the engagement survey here until September 21. They can also attend in-person open houses between September 4 and 17, further details can be found on our website.

BRT Facts

• The Metrotown-North Shore BRT will span 21 kilometres with 16 or 17 stations depending on the final route option selected.
• Once complete, TransLink estimates the Metrotown–North Shore BRT will have 60,000 daily riders and an end-to-end travel time of 60 minutes during rush hour, which is competitive with driving.
• TransLink estimates that the Metrotown-North Shore BRT would provide rapid transit access to over 85,000 households and approximately 100,000 jobs that are within walking distance of the planned route.

Quotes:

Linda Buchanan, Mayor, City of North Vancouver –
“This investment is so welcomed and will have far reaching generational impacts.  For too long, people have simply not had a competitive alternative to travelling over the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge to their final destination be it home, work or leisure. With BRT, City of North Vancouver residents will have better, more frequent, and reliable transit connections within the North Shore and to the rest of the region reducing congestion, fostering economic growth and unlocking equitable opportunities to connect to jobs, post-secondary institutions and housing.”

Mike Hurley, Mayor, City of Burnaby –
“Creating a Bus Rapid Transit link between Metrotown and the North Shore is a huge win for Burnaby, the North Shore and the Metro Vancouver region. This north-south connection would provide excellent service to some of the fastest growing neighbourhoods in Burnaby, and help foster growth for businesses on both sides of the Burrard Inlet.”

Mike Little, Mayor, District of North Vancouver –
“BRT including stations from Phibbs to Park Royal offers North Shore residents an easier and more reliable form of transit. This project is an important step in tackling the North Shore’s traffic challenges, and I encourage people in the District to share their feedback. We look forward to continuing the long-term vision of the Mayors' Council that explores rapid transit improvements to and from the North Shore.”

Mark Sager, Mayor, District of West Vancouver –
“This will be very important for people in West Vancouver, as Bus Rapid Transit will enable more people to get to our community, move within the North Shore, and connect to the rest of the region quickly and efficiently. We are very pleased to be working with TransLink and to see even greater service made available to our residents and visitors.”

Ken Sim, Mayor, Vancouver –
“This BRT route is going to be a game changer. It will give people faster, more reliable connections to the Expo and Millennium Lines and open up easier access between Burnaby, Vancouver, and the North Shore. By making transit quicker and more convenient, we’re giving people more reasons to leave the car at home and choose transit instead.” 

Kevin Quinn, CEO, TransLink –
“This new BRT service will better connect the North Shore and Burnaby with rapid transit, unlocking access to thousands of jobsites along the way. It will speed up travel for customers with a reliable and comfortable ride, complete with dedicated bus lanes and weather-protected stations.”

Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, President, BCIT –
“Connecting the region to BCIT’s Burnaby Campus with BRT means providing easier access for Metro Vancouver students and residents who want to develop their skills and apply their education to build our region. BRT’s frequency of every 5 minutes will provide a more convenient rapid transit connection to our largest campus, and I encourage all BCIT students, employees, and members of our community to take part in this important public engagement.”

Laureen Styles, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, Capilano University –
“Reliable, efficient transit is essential for our students and employees who travel from across the region to study and work at Capilano University. A Bus Rapid Transit connection linking the North Shore to Burnaby and beyond will remove barriers to education and employment, reduce commuting stress, and strengthen the economic and cultural vitality of our communities. We welcome this next step in the planning for a future BRT given the positive impact it will have on our university and the North Shore.”

More information:
Participate in the survey here
Bus Rapid Transit Program Webpage

Media contact:
TransLink Media Relations
E: media@translink.ca