{{Short description|Express bus network in Metro Vancouver, Canada}} {{Use Canadian English|date=April 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox bus line |logo = |logo_width = |name = RapidBus |color = |number = |image = TransLink Rapidbus 19018 Commissioning.jpg |caption = |system = TransLink |routes = 6 |stops = 75 |length = |open = January 6, 2020<ref name="launchdate" /> |close = |operator = Coast Mountain Bus Company |character = |stock = |linelength = |ridership = |el = |map = {{maplink-road|from=RapidBus (TransLink).map}} RapidBus highlighted in green |map_state = uncollapsed |notes = }}
'''RapidBus''' is an express bus network with bus rapid transit elements in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
== History == On November 23, 2016, the TransLink Mayors' Council and TransLink's board of directors approved the first phase of the 10-Year Vision, which included provisions for new B-Line routes (later rebranded as RapidBus) which began service in January 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Phase One of the 10-Year Vision Backgrounder |url=http://tenyearvision.translink.ca/downloads/Phase%20One%20Summary.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201183332/https://tenyearvision.translink.ca/downloads/Phase%20One%20Summary.pdf |archive-date=February 1, 2022 |access-date=March 21, 2017 |website=tenyearvision.translink.ca |publisher=TransLink}}</ref> In July 2019, TransLink announced that all future B-Line routes would officially be launched under new "RapidBus" branding and that the 95 and 96 B-Lines would also transition to that branding, leaving route 99 as the only remaining B-Line.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Saltman |first=Jennifer |date=July 24, 2019 |title=TransLink unveils new RapidBus service to replace B-Lines |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/translink-unveils-new-rapidbus-service-to-replace-b-lines |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630092725/https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/translink-unveils-new-rapidbus-service-to-replace-b-lines |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |access-date=October 17, 2023 |website=The Vancouver Sun}}</ref>
The first wave of routes using the RapidBus branding{{snd}}consisting of the R1 King George Blvd (the former 96 B-Line), the new R3 Lougheed Hwy, the new R4 41st Ave (replacing the 43 express service along 41st Avenue), and the R5 Hastings St (the former 95 B-Line){{snd}}launched on January 6, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RapidBus Program |url=https://www.translink.ca/Plans-and-Projects/RapidBus-Program.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724010113/https://www.translink.ca/Plans-and-Projects/RapidBus-Program.aspx |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |access-date=July 23, 2019 |website=translink.ca |publisher=TransLink}}</ref><ref name="launchdate">{{Cite web |title=RapidBus is Coming! |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=sQkPUATu61k |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914231702/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQkPUATu61k |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=July 23, 2019 |website=YouTube| date=July 23, 2019 |publisher=TransLink |url-status=live}}</ref>
The R2 Marine Drive launched on April 6, 2020, after construction delays, replacing the former 239.<ref name="r2launch">{{Cite web |url=https://www.translink.ca/Plans-and-Projects/RapidBus-Program/R2-Marine-Dr.aspx |title=R2: Marine Dr |website=translink.ca |publisher=TransLink |access-date=February 7, 2020 |archive-date=February 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208035359/https://www.translink.ca/Plans-and-Projects/RapidBus-Program/R2-Marine-Dr.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> The R6 Scott Rd launched on January 2, 2024, with service in Surrey and Delta.<ref>{{Cite web | title=TransLink unveils new RapidBus service for Surrey and Delta |work=CBC News | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/translink-unveils-new-r6-rapidbus-in-surrey-1.7072835 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102233727/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/translink-unveils-new-r6-rapidbus-in-surrey-1.7072835 | access-date=February 16, 2025 | archive-date=January 2, 2024}}</ref><ref name="r6launch"/>
== Features == [[File:Bus stop near Waterfront station, Vancouver (20200613 143940).jpg|thumb|Bus stop with real-time arrival information near Waterfront station]] * All-door boarding * Shelters and benches at stops * Tactile pads * Real-time information * Information panels at stops * On-board route diagrams * Transit priority measures on streets to improve travel times * Custom exterior bus livery * Frequent service
== RapidBus routes ==
{| class="wikitable" |+ |- ! Route ! Launch date ! colspan="2" | Termini ! Connections ! Stops |- | R1 King George Blvd | September 2, 2013 (as 96 B-Line) | Guildford Exchange | Newton Exchange | {{plainlist| * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Newton Exchange * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} Surrey Central * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} King George * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Guildford Exchange }} | 12 |- | R2 Marine Dr | April 6, 2020<ref name="r2launch" /> | Park Royal Exchange | Phibbs Exchange | {{plainlist| * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Park Royal Shopping Centre * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|seabus|size=20}} Lonsdale Quay * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Phibbs Exchange }} | 10 |- | R3 Lougheed Hwy | January 6, 2020 | Coquitlam Central station | Haney Place Exchange | {{plainlist| * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|millennium|size=20}} {{rail-interchange|vancouver|wce|size=20}} Coquitlam Central * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Haney Place }} | 8 |- | R4 41st Ave | September 4, 2000 (as 43 Express) | UBC Exchange | Joyce–Collingwood station | {{plainlist| * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} Joyce–Collingwood * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|canada|size=20}} Oakridge–41st Avenue * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Dunbar Loop * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} UBC Exchange }} | 17 |- | R5 Hastings St | December 19, 2016 (as 95 B-Line) | Burrard station | SFU Exchange | {{plainlist| * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} Burrard * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} {{rail-interchange|vancouver|canada|size=20}} {{rail-interchange|vancouver|seabus|size=20}} {{rail-interchange|vancouver|wce|size=20}} Waterfront * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Kootenay Loop * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} SFU Exchange }} | 16 |- | R6 Scott Rd | January 2, 2024<ref name="r6launch">{{Cite web |title=R6 Scott Road RapidBus |publisher=TransLink |url=https://www.translink.ca/plans-and-projects/projects/bus-projects/r6-scott-road-rapidbus |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=TransLink.ca}}</ref> | Scott Road station | Newton Exchange | {{plainlist| * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} Scott Road * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Scottsdale Exchange * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Newton Exchange }} |13 |}
===Future phases=== {| class="wikitable" |+ |- ! Route ! Launch date ! colspan="2" | Termini ! Connections |- | Lions Gate | {{abbr|TBD|To be decided}} | Stadium–Chinatown station | Lynn Valley Centre | {{plainlist| * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} Stadium–Chinatown * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} Granville * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|canada|size=20}} Vancouver City Centre * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} Burrard * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|seabus|size=20}} Lonsdale Quay }} |- | Victoria Drive | {{abbr|TBD|To be decided}} | Downtown | Harrison Loop | {{plainlist| * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} {{rail-interchange|vancouver|millennium|size=20}} Commercial–Broadway }} |- | White Rock | {{abbr|TBD|To be decided}} | Newton Exchange | White Rock Centre | {{plainlist| * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Newton Exchange * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} South Surrey Park and Ride * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} White Rock Centre }} |- | Coquitlam to Langley | {{abbr|TBD|To be decided}} | Coquitlam Central station | Langley Centre | {{plainlist| * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|millennium|size=20}} {{rail-interchange|vancouver|wce|size=20}} Coquitlam Central * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|wce|size=20}} Maple Meadows * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Carvolth Exchange * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Langley Centre }} |- |R2 Extension to Metrotown<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.translink.ca/plans-and-projects/projects/bus-projects/rapidbus-projects#r2-extension-to-metrotown |title=RapidBus Projects {{!}} R2 Extension to Metrotown|publisher=TransLink |website=translink.ca |access-date=September 19, 2024}}</ref> |2027 |Metrotown station |Park Royal Exchange |{{Plainlist| * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Park Royal Shopping Centre * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|seabus|size=20}} Lonsdale Quay * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Phibbs Exchange * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|millennium|size=20}} Brentwood Town Centre * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} Metrotown }} |}
== Cancelled RapidBus routes ==
=== Fraser Highway === Proposals for a Fraser Highway B-Line were made in 2018 along with what would become the Marine Drive, Lougheed Highway, and 41st Avenue RapidBus routes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2018 |title=TransLink to add 4 new B-Line bus routes by end of 2019 |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/translink-to-add-4-new-b-line-bus-routes-by-end-of-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307014857/https://bc.ctvnews.ca/translink-to-add-4-new-b-line-bus-routes-by-end-of-2019-1.3831537 |archive-date=March 7, 2018 |access-date=October 17, 2023 |website=CTV Vancouver}}</ref> However, a decision was made in December of that year to cancel the proposed route (which would have been rebranded as RapidBus)<ref name=":0" /> in favour of a revision of service on routes 502 and 503 in the short term, and an extension of the Expo Line from Surrey to Langley Centre in the long term.<ref name="mayorscouncil">{{cite web |date=December 13, 2018 |title=Mayor's Council On Regional Transportation Public Meeting Agenda Revised: December 11, 2018 |url=https://www.translink.ca/-/media/Documents/about_translink/governance_and_board/council_minutes_and_reports/2018/december/Agenda--Mayors-Council-PUBLIC-MTG--Dec-13-REVISED.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219222434/https://www.translink.ca/-/media/Documents/about_translink/governance_and_board/council_minutes_and_reports/2018/december/Agenda--Mayors-Council-PUBLIC-MTG--Dec-13-REVISED.PDF |archive-date=December 19, 2019 |access-date=December 19, 2019 |publisher=TransLink |page=83}}</ref>
=== R7 Richmond – Metrotown station === This line was cancelled in October 2023 following the rejection of a proposed route by Richmond's city council. The R7 route would have roughly followed the existing 430 route via Bridgeport Road, the Knight Street Bridge, and 49th Avenue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=October 16, 2023 |title=No BRT, no RapidBus: Richmond City Council rejects TransLink's proposed route to Metrotown |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/richmond-brt-rapidbus-rejection-translink |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017082851/https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/richmond-brt-rapidbus-rejection-translink |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |access-date=October 17, 2023 |website=Daily Hive Vancouver}}</ref>
== Bus rapid transit lines == TransLink intends to implement 9 bus rapid transit (BRT) lines in the coming decade, including 3 that will be upgraded from RapidBus, contingent on funding from senior levels of government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=April 20, 2022 |title=TransLink to double bus service, including 9 new Bus Rapid Transit lines {{!}} Urbanized |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-10-year-expansion-priorities-brt-skytrain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420210310/https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-10-year-expansion-priorities-brt-skytrain |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |access-date=June 22, 2022 |url-status=live |website=dailyhive.com}}</ref> The lines will feature all-day frequent service with limited stops, near-continuous dedicated lanes and signal priority at major intersections, high-capacity buses with all-door boarding.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2023 |title=BRT Attributes for Metro Vancouver |url=https://www.translink.ca/-/media/translink/documents/plans-and-projects/rapid-transit/bus-rapid-transit/brt-attributes-for-metro-vancouver.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117000630/https://www.translink.ca/-/media/translink/documents/plans-and-projects/rapid-transit/bus-rapid-transit/brt-attributes-for-metro-vancouver.pdf |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=Translink}}</ref> The lines will have "rail-like" stations with next-bus departure screens, transit maps and weather protection.<ref name=":2" />
=== Future phases === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Route !Launch date ! colspan="2" |Termini !Connection |- |King George Boulevard BRT<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Bus Rapid Transit |url=https://www.translink.ca/brt |access-date=April 15, 2026 |website=www.translink.ca |language=en-CA}}</ref> | {{abbr|TBD|To be decided}} |Surrey Central station |White Rock Centre |{{Plainlist|* {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} Surrey Central * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} King George * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Newton Exchange * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} South Surrey Park and Ride * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} White Rock Centre}} |- |Langley – Haney Place BRT<ref name=":1" /> | {{abbr|TBD|To be decided}} |Haney Place Exchange |Willowbrook station |{{Plainlist|* {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Haney Place Exchange * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Carvolth Exchange * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} Willowbrook}} |- |Metrotown – North Shore BRT<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Opinion: If TransLink builds Bus Rapid Transit, it must be done right {{!}} Urbanized |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-metrotown-north-shore-brt-routes-opinion |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Daily Hive |language=en}}</ref> | {{abbr|TBD|To be decided}} |Park Royal Exchange |Metrotown station |{{Plainlist|* {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Park Royal Exchange * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|seabus|size=20}} Lonsdale Quay * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Phibbs Exchange * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} Kootenay Loop * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|millennium|size=20}} Brentwood Town Centre * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|bus|size=20}} BCIT Exchange * {{rail-interchange|vancouver|expo|size=20}} Metrotown}} |}
==See also== * List of bus routes in Metro Vancouver
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Attached KML|display=title,inline}} * [https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps/rapidbus TransLink]
{{TransLink Services|state_skytrain=collapsed|state_bus=uncollapsed}}
Category:RapidBus (TransLink) Category:2020 establishments in British Columbia