Bus Stop Balancing

We balanced the bus stop spacing on Route 4 UBC/Powell and Route 7 Dunbar/Nanaimo to improve travel times and reliability.

Bus stop balancing on Routes 4 and 7 is now complete. We thank you for your feedback. All changes trialed on Jan. 17, 2022, will be made permanent. We reinstated ten bus stops initially identified for removal before the trial period. Further improvements are planned this summer on West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, such as bus bulbs and turn pockets.

Introduction

When bus stops are too close or too far away, it's inconvenient for our customers. Route

We balanced the bus stop spacing on Route 4 UBC/Powell and Route 7 Dunbar/Nanaimo to improve travel times and reliability.

Bus stop balancing on Routes 4 and 7 is now complete. We thank you for your feedback. All changes trialed on Jan. 17, 2022, will be made permanent. We reinstated ten bus stops initially identified for removal before the trial period. Further improvements are planned this summer on West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, such as bus bulbs and turn pockets.

Introduction

When bus stops are too close or too far away, it's inconvenient for our customers. Route 4 and Route 7 had some of the closest stops in the region. Two out of three stops (65%) on Route 4 were only 1 or 2 blocks apart. In a single round-trip, Route 4 made 121 stops. Similarly, three out of four stops (77%) on Route 7 were only 1 or 2 blocks apart, with 149 stops per round trip. For the 3.6 million customers who use Route 4 and the 4.9 million customers on Route 7 each year, this meant longer, unpredictable travel times.*

There are two ways we are improving travel times and reliability:

  1. Bus stop balancing means carefully removing or relocating some of the closest bus stops to balance convenient access and travel time.
  2. Bus bulbs are extensions of the sidewalk so that buses don’t have to merge back into traffic.


Benefits and Impacts

Balanced bus stops and bus bulbs mean:

  • Faster and more reliable commutes with round trip savings of 6 minutes per customer
  • Safer and smoother rides
  • More space for community amenities such as wider sidewalks, patio seating, bike racks, or loading zones

By removing some bus stops and installing bus bulbs in the busiest areas, customers could save over 6 minutes of travel time on each round trip.

In addition to bus stop balancing and bus bulbs, there are other bus-priority measures that TransLink and the City of Vancouver are considering, to improve the speed and reliability of your journey on Routes 4 and 7 in the future. Your feedback helped to determine those locations.

*Pre-Covid data

  • Route 7

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    Bus stop balancing on Route 7 is now complete. We thank you for your feedback. All changes trialed on January 17 will be made permanent. We reinstated ten bus stops initially identified for removal before the trial period. Further improvements are planned this summer on West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, such as bus bulbs and turn pockets.

    We balanced the bus stop spacing on Route 7 Dunbar/Nanaimo to improve travel times and reliability. As part of this project, we will also add a select number of bus bulbs on the route’s busiest corridor on West 4th Avenue.

    We’ve carefully considered the physical constraints, accessibility, convenience, and transit performance, among other criteria, in selecting each bus stop. To minimize impacts on customers, we made changes to approximately one in five of the closest bus stops along Route 7. This means:

    • 92% of customers can use their existing bus stop and enjoy a faster, more reliable trip.
    • About 7% of customers will need to use a different bus stop. That bus stop may be further away, but this will be offset by shorter trip on the bus. Bus stops will be about 2 – 4 blocks apart, on average.

    Changes to Stops on Route 7

    Route 7 Nanaimo – Eastbound

    Stop Name Stop Action Other routes using stop
    NB Dunbar St at W 26 Ave 50306 Remove bus stop
    NB Dunbar St at W 16 Ave 50311 Remove bus stop
    EB W 4 Ave at Waterloo St 50390 Remove bus stop
    EB W 4 Ave at Blenheim St
    New bus stop created
    EB W 4 Ave at Trutch St 50391 Remove bus stop
    EB W 4 Ave at Balaclava St

    New bus stop created

    EB W 4 Ave at Bayswater St
    50392
    Remove bus stop

    EB W 4 Ave at Larch St 50395 Remove bus stop 14
    EB W 4 Ave at Vine St 50397 Remove bus stop 14, 44, 84
    EB W 4 Ave at Yew St
    New bus stop created 14, 44, 84
    EB W 4 Ave at Arbutus St 50398 Remove bus stop 14
    EB W 4 Ave at Maple St
    New bus stop created 14
    EB W 4 Ave at Cypress St 50399 Remove bus stop 14
    EB Powell St at Mclean Dr 50432 Remove bus stop 209
    SB Nanaimo St at Franklin St 50670 Remove bus stop
    SB Nanaimo St at Turner St 50672 Remove bus stop
    SB Nanaimo St at Parker St 50674 Remove bus stop
    SB Nanaimo St at Grant St 60439 Remove bus stop
    SB Nanaimo St at E 7 Ave 50681 Remove bus stop
    SB Nanaimo St at E 12 Ave 50684 Remove bus stop


    Route 7 Dunbar – Westbound

    Stop Name Stop Action Other routes using stop
    NB Nanaimo St at N Grandview Hwy 50719 Remove bus stop
    NB Nanaimo St at Grant St 50725 Remove bus stop
    NB Nanaimo St at Napier St 50727 Remove bus stop
    NB Nanaimo St at E Pender St 50729 Remove bus stop
    NB Nanaimo St at Pandora St 50736 Remove bus stop
    WB Powell St at Woodland Dr 50509 Remove bus stop 209
    WB W 4 Ave at Arbutus St 50581 Remove bus stop 14
    WB W 4 Ave at Yew St
    New bus stop created 14, 44, 84
    WB W 4 Ave at Vine St 58299 Remove bus stop 14, 44, 84
    WB W 4 Ave at Bayswater St 50586 Remove bus stop
    SB Alma St at W 10 Ave (Nearside)
    Note: Only Route 7 will be moved from this stop to the farside location
    50357 Remove bus stop 9, 14, 42, 99, N17
    SB Alma St at W 10 Ave (Farside)
    New bus stop created


    Initially we proposed to remove the following stops. However, after receiving public feedback, we have decided that these stops will remain. Thank you to all the customers that provided comments.

    • 50437  EB Dundas St at Templeton Dr
    • 50494  WB Dundas St at N Templeton Dr
    • 50495  WB Dundas St at Wall St
    • 50367  SB Dunbar St at W 27 Ave
    • 50368  SB Dunbar St at W 29 Ave
    • 50371  SB Dunbar St at W 35 Ave
    • 50373  SB Dunbar St at W 39 Ave
    • 50299  NB Dunbar St at W 39 Ave
    • 50301  NB Dunbar St at W 36 Ave
    • 50304  NB Dunbar St at W 30 Ave


    Initially we proposed to add the following stops. However, after receiving public feedback, we have decided that these stops will not open. Thank you to all the customers that provided comments.

    • WB Dundas St at N Lakewood Dr
    • SB Dunbar St at W 28 Ave
  • Route 4

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    Bus stop balancing on Route 4 is now complete. We thank you for your feedback. All changes trialed on January 17 will be made permanent. We reinstated three bus stops initially identified for removal before the trial period. Further improvements are planned this summer on West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, such as bus bulbs and turn pockets.

    We balanced the bus stop spacing on Route 4 UBC/Powell to improve travel times and reliability. As part of this project, we will also add a select number of bus bulbs on the route’s busiest corridor on West 4th Avenue.

    We’ve carefully considered the physical constraints, accessibility, convenience, and transit performance, among other criteria, in selecting each bus stop. To minimize impacts on customers, we made changes to approximately one in five of the closest bus stops along Route 4. This means:

    • 93% of customers can use their existing bus stop and enjoy a faster, more reliable trip.
    • About 6% of customers will need to use a different bus stop. That bus stop may be further away, but this will be offset by shorter trip on the bus. Bus stops will be about 2 – 4 blocks apart, on average.

    Changes to Stops on Route 4

    Route 4 Powell – Eastbound

    Stop Name Stop Action Other routes using stop
    NB Blanca St at W 8 Ave 50344 Remove bus stop
    EB W 4 Ave at Dieppe Lane 59298 Remove bus stop 42
    EB W 4 Ave at Highbury St 50353 Remove bus stop
    EB W 4 Ave at Waterloo St 50390 Remove bus stop
    EB W 4 Ave at Blenheim St
    New bus stop created
    EB W 4 Ave at Trutch St 50391 Remove bus stop
    EB W 4 Ave at Balaclava St
    New bus stop created
    EB W 4 Ave at Bayswater St 50392 Remove bus stop
    EB W 4 Ave at Larch St 50395 Remove bus stop 14
    EB W 4 Ave at Vine St 50397 Remove bus stop 14, 44, 84
    EB W 4 Ave at Yew St
    New bus stop created 14, 44, 84
    EB W 4 Ave at Arbutus St 50398 Remove bus stop 14
    EB W 4 Ave at Maple St
    New bus stop created 14
    EB W 4 Ave at Cypress St 50399 Remove bus stop 14
    EB Powell St at Mclean Dr 50432 Remove bus stop 209
    NB N Nanaimo St at Cambridge St 50439 Remove bus stop 209
    EB McGill St at N Kamloops St 50441 Remove bus stop 209
    EB McGill St at N Renfrew St 50444 Remove bus stop


    Route 4 UBC– Westbound

    Stop Name Stop Action Other routes using stop
    WB Powell St at Woodland Dr 50509 Remove bus stop 209
    WB W 4 Ave at Arbutus St 50581 Remove bus stop 14
    WB W 4 Ave at Yew St
    New bus stop created 14, 44, 84
    WB W 4 Ave at Vine St 58299 Remove bus stop 14, 44, 84
    WB W 4 Ave at Bayswater St 50586 Remove bus stop
    WB W 4 Ave at 4000 Block 50592 Remove bus stop 42
    WB W 4 Ave at Tolmie St 50597 Remove bus stop
    SB Blanca St at W 6 Ave 50599 Remove bus stop


    Initially we proposed to remove the following stops. However, after receiving public feedback, we have decided that these stops will remain. Thank you to all the customers that provided comments.

    • 50437  EB Dundas St at Templeton Dr
    • 50494  WB Dundas St at N Templeton Dr
    • 50495  WB Dundas St at Wall St


    Initially we proposed to add the following stop. However, after receiving public feedback, we have decided that this stop will not open. Thank you to all the customers that provided comments.

    • WB Dundas St at N Lakewood Dr
  • Route 17

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    We've balanced the bus stop spacing on Route 17 Oak/Downtown to improve travel times and reliability.

    When bus stops are too close together, customers spend more time waiting. Route 17 has some of the closest stops in the region. Half of the stops are less than 250 metres apart (about 2 blocks). Some bus stops are directly across the street from one another, less than 75 metres apart!


    Benefits and Impacts

    Balanced bus stop spacing on the 17 means:

    • Faster and more reliable commutes with round trip savings of 4 minutes per customer
    • Safer and smoother rides
    • More space on the bus and sidewalk


    We carefully considered the physical constraints, accessibility, convenience, and transit performance, among other criteria, in selecting each bus stop. To minimize impacts on customers, we proposed changes to approximately one in five of the least used bus stops along Route 17. This means:

    • 92 per cent of customers will continue to use their current bus stops and enjoy a faster, more reliable trip.
    • Only 8 per cent may experience a longer walk or roll, which will be offset by a shorter trip on the bus.
    • The average spacing between bus stops will be 358 metres, which is about a 4 minute walk or 5 minute roll.


    Removed Stops


    • NB Oak St at W 71 Ave – Stop # 50741
    • NB Oak St at W 64 Ave – Stop # 50744
    • NB Oak St at W 53 Ave – Stop # 50749
    • NB Oak St at W 51 Ave – Stop # 50750
    • NB Oak St at W 43 Ave – Stop # 50753
    • NB Oak St Nearside W 41 Ave – Stop # 50754
    • NB Oak St at 5100 Block – Stop # 50452
    • NB Oak St at W 22 Ave – Stop # 50457 (Stop Reinstated)
    • NB Oak St at W 14 Ave – Stop # 50460
    • NB Cambie St at W 8 Ave – Stop # 50482 (Stop Reinstated)
    • SB Oak St at W 14 Ave – Stop # 50332
    • SB Oak St at Balfour Ave – Stop # 50336 (Stop Reinstated)
    • SB Oak St at 5600 Block – Stop # 50343
    • SB Oak St at W 43 Ave – Stop # 50806
    • SB Oak St at W 52 Ave – Stop # 50809
    • SB Oak St at W 64 Ave – Stop # 50814
    • SEB SW Marine Dr at Laurel St – Stop # 52125
      • Also affects routes 10 and 100 
    • EB SW Marine Dr at Ash St – Stop # 52128
      • Also affects routes 10 and 100
  • Route 25

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    We’ve balanced the bus stop spacing on Route 25 Brentwood Station/UBC.

    When bus stops are too close together, customers spend more time waiting. Route 25 has 150 bus stops. More than half of these stops are less than 300 metres apart (about 2 blocks).


    Benefits and Impacts

    Balanced bus stop spacing on the 25 means: 

    • Faster and more reliable commutes with round trip savings of 4 minutes per customer
    • Safer and smoother rides
    • More space on the bus and sidewalk


    We carefully considered the physical constraints, accessibility, convenience, and transit performance, among other criteria, in selecting each bus stop. To minimize impacts on customers, we proposed changes to approximately one in eight of the least used bus stops along Route 25. This means:

    • 97 per cent of customers will continue to use their current bus stops and enjoy a faster, more reliable trip.
    • Only 3 per cent may experience a longer walk or roll which will be offset by a shorter trip on the bus.
    • The average spacing between bus stops will be 372 metres, which is about a 4 minute walk or 5 minute roll.


    Removed Stops







    • EB W 16 Ave at Courtenay St – Stop # 51489
      • Also affects route 33
    • SB Dunbar St at W 19 Ave – Stop # 50363
      • Also affects route 7
    • SB Dunbar St at W 23 Ave – Stop # 50365
      • Also affects route 7
    • EB W King Edward Ave at Collingwood St – Stop # 51494
    • EB W King Edward Ave at Balaclava St – Stop # 51496
    • EB W King Edward Ave at Alexandra St – Stop # 51506
    • EB W King Edward Ave at Osler St – Stop # 51509
    • EB W King Edward Ave at Ash St – Stop # 51512
    • EB E King Edward Ave at Clark Dr – Stop # 51524
    • NB Nanaimo St at E 27 Ave – Stop # 51528
    • EB E 22 Ave at Penticton St – Stop # 50691
    • EB E 22 Ave at Kaslo St – Stop # 51531
    • Brentwood Station Bay 6 – Stop # 58496
      • This stop will remain in service for routes 123 and 130  
    • WB E 22 Ave at Nootka St – Stop # 51557
    • WB E 22 Ave at Kaslo St – Stop # 51559
    • WB E 22 Ave at Kamloops St – Stop # 50666
    • WB W King Edward Ave at Laurel St – Stop # 51576
    • WB W King Edward Ave at Cartier St – Stop # 51579 (Stop Reinstated)
    • WB W King Edward Ave at Brakenridge St – Stop # 51587
    • WB W King Edward Ave at Collingwood St – Stop # 50309
    • NB Dunbar St at W 20 Ave – Stop # 50814
      • Also affects route 7