New all-day service will create more direct connection to jobs, schools, and major destinations across the North Shore, Vancouver, and Burnaby

BURNABY, BC – TransLink is delivering a major new regional transit connection three months ahead of schedule and under budget, with the R2 RapidBus extension to Metrotown launching on September 7.

The new R2 Marine–Willingdon RapidBus will be extended from Phibbs Exchange to Metrotown Station, via Hastings Street and Willingdon Avenue. The new route will connect customers to a corridor that provides access to approximately 98,000 jobs, as well as major post-secondary institutions, town centres, shopping areas, and two SkyTrain lines.

More than 14,000 transit trips are made each weekday between Phibbs Exchange and Metrotown, showing strong demand for travel along this corridor. The new route will serve key destinations, including Park Royal, Capilano Mall, Lower Lonsdale, Lower Lynn Valley, Burnaby Heights, Brentwood Town Centre, BCIT, and Metrotown — while providing connections to SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium lines.

The existing R2 RapidBus already carries more than 1.9 million boardings each year. Extending the route to Metrotown will:

• Create a direct connection between Park Royal and Metrotown, eliminating the need to transfer at Phibbs Exchange.
• Provide frequent, all-day service seven days a week, including buses every six to seven minutes during peak periods.
• Add capacity along the corridor with 60-foot buses, offering approximately 50 per cent more room than standard buses.
• Improve access to major employment, education, shopping, and transit hubs across three municipalities.

Fourteen bus stops have been upgraded to accommodate larger buses and improve accessibility, including the addition of tactile walking surface indicators and accessible loading areas. Nine new Bus Passenger Information Displays (BPIDs) have been installed, providing real-time information and text-to-speech functionality for customers. Eight new stops have also been added along the route, with two new bus shelters in Burnaby.

The new R2 service will replace the #222 Willingdon Express between Phibbs Exchange and Metrotown, which will continue to operate until September 4. Unlike the #222, the R2 will provide all-day service, seven days a week, with more capacity to help address crowding along the corridor.

Route 130 will continue to provide local service, with most trips terminating at Kootenay Loop. The R2 extension does not include changes to bus priority or HOV lanes in Burnaby.

To coincide with the R2 extension, #245 service is also being increased this fall to improve transit for Capilano University students. 

Launching the R2 extension ahead of schedule — and under budget — is part of TransLink’s work to deliver service funded through the 2025 Investment Plan quickly and responsibly, providing more capacity and better connections as Metro Vancouver’s population and economy continue to grow.

This R2 extension reflects a shared commitment, made possible with support and collaboration from the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation, the City of Burnaby, the District of North Vancouver, the city of North Vancouver, the District of West Vancouver, the City of Vancouver, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and the Province of British Columbia.

Planning will also continue for future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and other possible rapid transit improvements in this part of the region. A decision on the final route option for BRT in Vancouver and Burnaby will be made in 2027.

Quotes:

Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink –
“People rely on transit every day to get to work, school, and where they need to go. Delivering the R2 extension three months early means customers will have more direct connection across one of Metro Vancouver’s busiest corridors sooner. The extended route will connect people to nearly 100,000 jobs and key destinations across the North Shore, Vancouver, and Burnaby, demonstrating the impact we can have when we invest in better transit connections.”

Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver–Lonsdale on behalf of Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit, Government of British Columbia –
“The extended R2 RapidBus service provides a one-seat link between the North Shore and the SkyTrain network, giving people in North and West Vancouver a direct transit connection to the broader region. Frequent, comfortable service means more people can choose transit, taking pressure off some of the busiest routes on the North Shore. Delivering it ahead of schedule shows what's possible when partners invest in transit together. This is a huge step forward, and there's more to come.”

Brad West, Mayor of Port Coquitlam and Chair of Mayor’s Council –
“The R2 extension is a great example of what we can achieve when mayors, municipalities, and TransLink work together to deliver on the 2025 Investment Plan. This project will strengthen our economy and demonstrates why continued investment in rapid transit is essential for Metro Vancouver’s future. But we can’t stop here; we’ve shown we can deliver, and now we need long-term funding commitments from senior governments to build the next generation of Bus Rapid Transit projects to keep our region moving.”

Mark Sager, Mayor of West Vancouver –
“I'm proud of our partnership with TransLink and our neighbour municipalities for delivering this project ahead of schedule in response to the demand along this busy corridor. This service will not only benefit those who live in, work in, and visit West Vancouver, but also improve connections between our community and other major hubs in our region.”

Linda Buchanan, Mayor of City of North Vancouver –
“The R2 RapidBus extension is a significant step forward for improving transit to the North Shore and providing an additional option for all day, everyday access to the SkyTrain network. This investment will help expand and connect workers to employment opportunities supporting local businesses and economic growth. Stronger transportation connections also mean less congestion and a more accessible region, where people can choose transit for more of their everyday trips.”

Mike Little, Mayor of District of North Vancouver –
“The R2 RapidBus extension is great news for North Shore residents, workers, and students, especially as it’s delivered ahead of schedule. Traffic congestion continues to be a significant challenge for our residents and those traveling through our region. While there is no single solution, improving transit connections is an important step to provide people with more travel options and a more connected transit network.”

Mike Hurley, Mayor of Burnaby –
“The extension of the R2 RapidBus to Metrotown is a major win for Burnaby residents and everyone who relies on transit to move throughout the region. As Burnaby continues to grow, investments in high-quality transit are essential to keeping people connected to jobs, education, and services across Metro Vancouver.”

Ken Sim, Mayor of Vancouver –
“The R2 RapidBus extension will strengthen connections across Metro Vancouver and keep pace with the region’s growing transportation needs. Improving transit links between the North Shore, Vancouver, and Burnaby makes it easier for people to get around and support a region where residents and businesses can thrive. The launch of the R2 extension shows what we can achieve when local governments and regional partners work together to deliver more reliable and more accessible transit.”

yəχʷyaχʷələq Wayne Sparrow, Chief of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band) –
“Improving connections across our region helps people access jobs, education and opportunities, while strengthening the communities we all share. Musqueam is pleased to see the R2 RapidBus extension move forward and to work alongside TransLink and our regional partners on transportation improvements that benefit people throughout our territory and the broader region."

Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, Chairperson of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) –
“The R2 extension improves access to jobs, education, and essential services for our Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw community, and reflects the kind of collaborative planning that benefits the region as a whole. We're pleased to see this investment arrive ahead of schedule and look forward to continuing to work with TransLink and our municipal and provincial partners on transit solutions that serve both Squamish Nation and our neighbours.”

Justin George, Chief of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) –
“The early arrival of the R2 RapidBus extension is a major win for regional connectivity, and most importantly, this will facilitate the ease of travel for North Shore families, residents, and the Tsleil-Waututh community. səlilwətaɬ commends and is appreciative of TransLink for their continuance of reliable and accessible transit for our entire community.”

Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, President of BCIT –
The extension of the R2 RapidBus line is a meaningful investment in student access, workforce mobility, and regional growth. For BCIT, improved transit helps connect our community to education and employment opportunities, while supporting the job-ready talent that powers British Columbia’s economy.  

Jason Dewling, President and Vice-Chancellor of Capilano University –
“Capilano University welcomes the R2 RapidBus extension as an important investment in regional mobility. Our students and employees rely heavily on public transit, and better connections between the North Shore, Burnaby, and Vancouver make education, employment, and community life more accessible. As students return this fall, this improvement underscores the importance of continued investment in transit.”

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