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R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus

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    Project Overview

    Say hello to the new R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus!

    Starting September 2026, we’re extending the existing R2 Marine Drive RapidBus from its current eastern terminus at Phibbs Exchange to Metrotown Station following Hastings Street and Willingdon Avenue. Get ready for more frequent, all-day service between the North Shore, Vancouver, and Burnaby seven days a week.

    With the R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus, we’re bringing all-door boarding, accessible loading areas, bus stop shelters at select locations, and accessibility features such as text-to-audio functionality and tactile pads. Larger 60-foot buses will create room for 50% more people, giving customers more space on board, shorter waits, and a more comfortable trip.

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

    R2 RapidBus Route and Stops

    Map of R2 Extension Bus Route

    What's Changing

    To support the R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus, we’re adjusting service on some existing bus routes.

    List of Stops

    We’re keeping all the bus stops currently served by the R2 Marine Drive RapidBus.

    • Park Royal

      • Buses to Horseshoe Bay Ferries

    • Capilano Road

    • Pemberton Avenue

    • Hamilton Avenue

    • Bewicke Avenue

    • Lonsdale Quay

      • Connections to SeaBus

    • 3rd Street

    • Ridgeway Avenue

    • Brooksbank Avenue

    • Phibbs Exchange

      • Buses to Capilano University

    In addition to all the stops listed above, the R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus will serve eight additional stops.

    • Kootenay Loop

      • Connections to R5 Hastings St RapidBus

    • Gilmore

      • Connections to R5 Hastings St RapidBus

    • Willingdon

      • Connections to R5 Hastings St RapidBus

    • Brentwood Station

      • Connections to Millenium Line

    • BCIT

    • Moscrop

    • Kingsway

    • Metrotown Station

      • Connections to Expo Line

    Changes to Routes #222 and #130

    The peak hour #222 Metrotown/Phibbs Exchange route will be discontinued. The new R2 Extension will replace the #222 with all-day service, seven days a week, to add more capacity and alleviate overcrowding.

    The #130 Metrotown/Phibbs Exchange route will continue to provide local service, with most trips terminating at Kootenay Loop. Customers needing to continue to Phibbs Exchange can transfer to the new R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus.

    Construction Information

    Construction is starting along the new R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus corridor to get things ready for a September launch. As each bus stop is different, construction activities and schedules will be different for each location. Please be mindful of construction activities and adjust your trip accordingly.

    This section will be updated when more information becomes available.

    Vancouver – Hastings St at Kootenay St

    Anticipated Start: Week of Apr. 20
    Estimated Completion Late May 2026

    We’re building new bus bays at this location and upgrading existing bus bays to accommodate longer buses. These stops will support future R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus and R5 Hastings St RapidBus services. Construction activities will be taking place on both sides of Hastings Street.

    What to expect:

    • During construction, work will be taking place along the curb and sidewalk.

    • Some bus stops may be temporarily moved.

    • One or two traffic lanes may be closed per direction.

    • Temporary parking restrictions and sidewalk closures between Skeena St and Boundary Rd.

      • Access to nearby roads, sidewalks, and properties will be maintained.

    • Drivers and transit riders should plan for extra travel time.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why is TransLink extending the R2 RapidBus to Metrotown Station?

    This corridor is currently served by Route 222, which operates only during weekday peak hours and does not run on weekends, providing limited access. Thousands of transit 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 provide more frequent, all-day service with larger buses and more capacity when compared to the existing Route 222.

    In Burnaby, the R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus will also connect the areas between Metrotown, Brentwood Town Centre, and Burnaby Heights with a new high frequency, high-capacity transit service that aligns with its Official Community Plan and Transportation Plan.

    Will the R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus replace Route 222?

    The R2 Marine-Willingdon will replace the existing Route 222 and provide an enhanced experience for customers that the RapidBus is known for – including all day service and larger buses.

    The existing 222 is a limited-stop, peak-hour only weekday service running from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.). It does not provide service on weekends. It runs between Phibbs Exchange and Metrotown with additional stops at BCIT, Brentwood, Burnaby Heights, and Boundary Road.

    What will happen to the 130 Metrotown Station/Phibbs Exchange route?

    Route 130 will continue to provide local service with frequent stops, but most northbound trips will now end at Kootenay Loop. Customers needing to continue to Phibbs Exchange can transfer to the R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus – with a new stop at Kootenay Loop.

    • Frequency on Route 130 will be adjusted to every 10-minutes at peak and every 15-30 minutes off-peak once the R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus enters service.

    • All off-peak trips will end at Kootenay Loop, while two peak trips per hour will continue to Phibbs Exchange.

    Will the R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus be faster than existing services?

    The extension increases frequency and capacity, and its limited-stop design is expected to improve travel times compared with Route 130. Travel times between Phibbs Exchange and Metrotown are currently estimated to decrease by 20 to 30% compared with the existing service on Route 130. This project will also increase capacity along the Willingdon corridor and on the North Shore. While increase at peak periods is expected to be modest, off-peak capacity on Willingdon is expected to rise by at least 50%.

    Future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) planning will consider additional measures to further improve reliability.

    Compared to the existing Route 222, what new stops are being added on this route?

    New stops are being added where spacing between existing stops is larger than ideal and where there are opportunities to serve more people.

    • Hastings and Gilmore: to better connect customers to the Burnaby Heights neighborhood and commercial area.

    • Willingdon and Moscrop: to provide Moscrop Secondary School students with better transit access.

    • Willingdon and Kingsway: to improve access in a highly populated area and reduce walking distances for many customers who would otherwise have to travel to Metrotown for their nearest R2 stop.

    Is this taking a lane away on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge?

    No vehicle lane removal is planned on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge as part of this project.

    Will there be changes to the HOV hours of operation on Hastings Street?

    In Burnaby, no changes are planned to the HOV hours of operation along Hastings Street.

    In Vancouver, no changes are planned to the HOV hours of operation along Hastings Street. In early 2026, the City of Vancouver asked businesses, residents and transit users for feedback on proposed bus lane changes between Kaslo Street and Boundary Road. Implementation of these bus lanes are paused to further assess how bus priority measures can better support the Hastings corridor. Visit vancouver.ca/hastings-transit for more information.

    Will there be changes to HOV or other bus priority measures on Willingdon Avenue?

    No, there are no plans to change HOV or bus priority on Willingdon Avenue. The existing HOV hours of operation will remain in effect.

    In Burnaby will parking be removed on Hastings or Willingdon?

    Since there are no changes to the HOV lane hour of operations on Hastings Street, most of the parking on Hastings Street will remain the same as it is today.

    There are minor changes to parking at the stop locations on Hastings Street to ensure the safety of our customers, bus operators, pedestrians, and drivers.

    There are no changes to parking on Willingdon Avenue.

    Will the R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus improve service for Capilano University students?

    While the R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus does not directly serve Capilano University, it will benefit many students, especially those who live in Burnaby or south of the Fraser River. Students will be able to rely on more frequent service between the Expo Line, Millennium Line, and Phibbs Exchange, where they can connect to Route 245 to Capilano University.

    In September 2026, TransLink will also be adding additional weekday midday trips to Route 245. This will shorten travel times for students and make their journeys less crowded and more comfortable.

    Why are some stops temporary?

    Some permanent stops are constrained by adjacent developments. Temporary stops are in place to maintain transit access for riders until permanent construction is completed, and stops return to their regular locations.

    By completing construction on the permanent stops today where available, we are minimizing any future disruptions.

    How will the project be funded?

    Funding is provided through the 2025 Investment Plan, including capital works and additional service hours.

    Is this a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project?

    No, this project is not BRT as the new R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus does not have any advanced bus priority features like dedicated lanes or transit signal priority on Hastings Street or Willingdon Avenue in Burnaby.

    TransLink and our municipal partners have been planning to upgrade the Route 222 Willingdon Express to a RapidBus service as a near-term transportation improvement to better serve customers on this corridor.

    TransLink and our municipal partners continue to work on the design plans for the Metrotown to North Shore BRT including on the route options. No decision has been made on the final route for BRT. For more information on Metrotown-North Shore BRT, please visit our Bus Rapid Transit Program page.