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R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus

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    Project Overview

    R2 RapidBus is extending to Metrotown!

    Starting Monday, Sept. 7, the R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus will extend from Phibbs Exchange to Metrotown Station via Hastings Street and Willingdon Avenue. Arriving more than three months ahead of schedule, the extended route creates a direct, one-seat ride between Park Royal and Metrotown, with frequent service every 6 to 7 minutes during peak hours and every 10 to 15 minutes off-peak, running from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week.

    RapidBus features sheltered stops, accessible loading areas, all-door boarding, real-time information, and accessibility features such as text-to-audio digital bus arrival information, and tactile pads. With 60-foot articulated buses, the R2 provides more room on board for riders along the corridor. Customers will be able to reach key destinations along the extended route including Lonsdale Quay, Burnaby Heights, Brentwood, BCIT, and Metrotown.

    R2 RapidBus Route and Stops

    What's Changing

    New stops along the R2 extension

    The R2 will continue to serve all existing stops between Park Royal and Phibbs Exchange, then continue south to Metrotown Station, with eight new stops added along the extension:

    • Kootenay Loop

    • Hastings Street at Gilmore Avenue

    • Hastings Street at Willingdon Avenue

    • Brentwood Town Centre Station

    • Willingdon Avenue at Goard Way near BCIT

    • Willingdon Avenue at Moscrop Street

    • Willingdon Avenue at Kingsway

    • Metrotown Station

    The extended route connects with the R5 Hastings St RapidBus at Kootenay Loop, Gilmore Avenue, and Willingdon Avenue; the Millennium Line at Brentwood Town Centre Station; and the Expo Line at Metrotown Station.

    Route 222 is being replaced by the R2

    Starting Sept. 7, the extended R2 will take over service currently provided by Route 222 Metrotown Station/Phibbs Exchange. The last day of 222 service will be Sept. 4.

    The R2 will stop at all locations currently served by Route 222, along with additional stops. Customers will benefit from frequent, all-day service, seven days a week.

    Customers travelling north of Phibbs Exchange can stay on board for a direct ride to destinations including Lonsdale Quay and Park Royal. Larger 60-foot R2 buses will also provide more capacity than the buses currently used on Route 222.

    To view upcoming schedules for the R2, please visit the schedules page.

    Route 130 continues local service

    Starting Sept. 7, most Route 130 trips will start and end at Kootenay Loop instead of Phibbs Exchange. Two peak-hour trips will continue to Phibbs Exchange. At other times, customers travelling to or from Phibbs Exchange can connect with the R2 at Kootenay Loop.

    Route 130 will run approximately every 10 minutes during peak periods and every 15 to 30 minutes off-peak.

    Please visit Route 130’s schedules page to view these upcoming schedule changes

    Delivered in partnership

    This project represents an important connection for xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) members, supporting inclusion within the region and enhancing access to opportunities. Fully funded by the 2025 Investment Plan and delivered in partnership with the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation, municipal partners in the District of West Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, City of Vancouver, and the City of Burnaby, and the Government of British Columbia, the project reflects a shared commitment to improving regional transit connections.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why did TransLink extend the R2 RapidBus to Metrotown?

    Route 222, which currently serves the corridor, operates only during weekday peak hours and does not run on weekends, providing limited access. Thousands of riders travelling between the North Shore and Metrotown experience long travel times and overcrowding. Demand on this corridor continues to grow, and the extension responds to the need for stronger transit connections between the North Shore and Burnaby.

    The R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus will offer more frequent, all-day service with larger, higher-capacity buses compared to the existing Route 222.

    In Burnaby, it will also connect Metrotown, Brentwood Town Centre, and Burnaby Heights with new high-frequency transit service that aligns with the City of Burnaby's Official Community Plan and Transportation Plan.

    How is the R2 different from Route 222?

    Route 222 currently operates between Phibbs Exchange and Metrotown during weekday peak periods only. Starting September 7, the extended R2 will serve all Route 222 stops, along with additional stops, with frequent service throughout the day, seven days a week.

    The R2 will also continue beyond Phibbs Exchange to the North Shore, giving customers a direct, one-seat ride between Park Royal and Metrotown.

    Larger 60-foot buses provide more room on board, and RapidBus features include all-door boarding, accessible loading areas, text-to-audio functionality, and tactile pads.

    What changes will be made to the local bus service?

    Route 130 will remain in place, providing frequent all-day local service. With the R2 extension, all off-peak Route 130 trips will start and end at Kootenay Loop. Customers travelling farther can connect with the R2 RapidBus.

    Will all stops on the R2 extension be in service at launch?

    No. Nearby development construction is affecting permanent stop locations westbound near Kootenay Loop, Gilmore Avenue, and Willingdon Avenue, and southbound near Goard Way.

    Temporary or existing stops will be available at these locations when R2 service begins on Sept. 7. Permanent stops will open once nearby construction is complete.

    Visit translink.ca/alerts for the latest stop information.

    How did TransLink decide where to add new stops on the route?

    New stops were added where the spacing between existing stops would be larger than ideal and where there are opportunities to serve more people.

    Stops at Hastings and Gilmore better connect customers to the Burnaby Heights neighbourhood and commercial area, Willingdon and Moscrop gives Moscrop Secondary students better transit access, and Willingdon and Kingsway reduces walking distances in a highly populated area.

    What accessibility features will be available on the extended R2?

    The R2 includes RapidBus accessibility features such as accessible loading areas, all-door boarding, text-to-audio functionality, and tactile pads.

    Fourteen existing stops along the extension have also been modified with accessibility features to accommodate 60-foot articulated buses.

    What are the longer-term plans for transit between Metrotown and the North Shore?

    The R2 extension is a near-term improvement to provide more service and better connections along the Metrotown-North Shore corridor, building ridership ahead of future rapid transit service.

    TransLink and municipal partners are continuing to plan for future rapid transit through the Burrard Inlet Rapid Transit Program. The program is looking at Bus Rapid Transit and rail options, including possible routes and station locations, and how much of the roadway would be dedicated to transit. No final option has been selected.