Why are we adjusting stops?
Around half of the stops on Route 49 are closer than the recommended 300 m spacing, resulting in 123 stops per round trip. When stops are too close together, buses pull over more often, slowing down trips and making travel times harder to predict. By thoughtfully adjusting stop locations, buses can stay on schedule and move more people quickly and reliably.
How does TransLink decide which bus stops to remove?
We carefully consider many factors when evaluating stops for relocation or removal. This includes accessibility, ridership, transfer points, nearby destinations, physical constraints (e.g. hills), distance between stops, and impacts on other routes. We also look at whether the stop has a twin stop in the opposite direction, nearby crosswalks, or stop amenities (e.g., shelters or benches).
Finally, we consider locations where customers may benefit from the addition of a new stop, such as areas with higher populations of seniors or people with reduced mobility, as well as areas with a longer distance between stops.
Are bus lanes also being considered on 49th Avenue?
TransLink is working with the City of Vancouver to implement bus lanes along parts of the 49th Avenue corridor. Bus lanes help buses move through traffic more efficiently, supporting reliable service for thousands of transit users. Learn more about the City’s plans for bus lanes at vancouver.ca/49ave-transit.
Where else has TransLink done bus stop balancing?
Since 2020, TransLink and the City of Vancouver have worked together to deliver larger-scale bus stop relocation projects. Five bus routes with up to 80% of stops under 300 m were adjusted. More recently, we adjusted bus stop locations on Route 19 and Granville Street to improve travel times and reliability for customers.
How does engagement feedback influence the final plan?
TransLink carefully evaluates every piece of feedback we receive. Public engagement feedback from surveys, community events, and meetings with stakeholders have influenced the final plan in previous projects.
How is the public going to be notified about these changes?
TransLink will work closely with the City of Vancouver to inform transit riders, nearby residents, and businesses about the engagement process. During engagement, transit users may see notices at bus stops, and residents may receive informational postcards.
After public engagement concludes, this webpage will be updated with the final stop locations and an engagement summary. Signage will also be posted at bus stops in advance of the changes taking effect.
Throughout the process, TransLink will continue to engage with City of Vancouver advisory committees, business improvement associations, and transit advocacy groups to share information and hear feedback.
Are you proposing changes to Route 49 stops in Burnaby, UBC, or the UEL?
There are no changes proposed to Route 49 stops in the Burnaby, University of British Columbia, and the University Endowment Land areas.
How is this project funded?
Funding support for this bus priority project comes through TransLink’s Bus Speed and Reliability Program.
Is TransLink making improvements to other routes?
TransLink has scheduled bus priority improvements along additional corridors in Vancouver, targeting areas of high delay and high ridership. As part of its Bus Speed and Reliability program, TransLink intends to implement measures to improve travel times and service reliability for transit users.
What do TransLink Service Design Standards say about the distance between bus stops?
Adopted in 2018, the Transit Service Guidelines bring clarity and consistency to the process of adjusting and improving transit services to meet evolving customer needs. In the guidelines, stop spacing is measured by dividing the total distance of a given route by the total number of stops on the route minus one. This measure provides average stop spacing in metres. While the average stop spacing on a line should fall between the ranges provided in the guidelines, the actual distance between any two stops on a route can vary, depending on factors such as topography, road design, land use, and location of sidewalks.
For all-day frequent routes, an average spacing of 300 to 800 metres is recommended. The average distance between Route 49 stops, between Boundary Road and Crown St, is currently 280 metres. With our proposed changes, the average spacing will be 382 metres. See pages 24 to 25 of our Transit Service Guidelines for more information.
How does adjusting bus stop placements reduce overcrowding?
When bus stops are better spaced, service becomes more reliable, and buses are less likely to bunch together. Evenly timed buses result in a more even distribution of passengers. Time saved on routes allows resources to be used to increase service, helping manage overcrowding across the network.
I’m worried about the speed of buses in residential areas. Does extending the space between stops mean that buses will go faster?
The safety and security of our customers and employees is important to us. Bus operators are instructed to adhere to posted speed limits and operate safely at all times. Relocating bus stops involves consolidating and removing bus stops that are too close together to improve travel times and reliability for bus customers. This has no impact on the operating speed of buses.
How do TransLink’s bus stop optimizing plans compare with other regions?
Generally, Canadian and American bus stops are closer together than on other continents like Europe and Asia. Our target of over 300 m matches the spacing in cities overseas with much higher transit ridership. Many cities in Canada and the United States like Pittsburgh, Portland and Montreal optimize bus stop spacing. Los Angeles is currently reviewing and adjusting bus stop placements for their entire network, with a target of 320 m to 480 m spacing.
