How close together are bus stops across the region?

    Approximately two-thirds of TransLink bus stops are too close together, based on the Transit Service Guidelines, which recommends average spacing of at least 300 metres for all-day frequent routes. On Route 4, 65% of the stops are less than 300 metres apart (less than 2 blocks) and on Route 7, 77% of the stops are below the range.

    How much time do TransLink buses spend at bus stops?

    TransLink buses spend one-sixth of their time waiting at bus stops.  Each year, that adds up to over 700,000 hours, or approximately $73 million in operating costs.  Making even small changes to this number can save customers time and improve regional transit.

    Why now?

    Our region has a unique opportunity to rethink how our roadways and cities can work better for everyone. Changing the region’s roads to improve the reliability of buses makes transit a more attractive transportation option, both during and after the pandemic. 

    How does TransLink decide which bus stops to remove?

    To minimize impacts on customers, we carefully considered many factors when evaluating each bus stop. This included accessibility, ridership, transfer points, nearby destinations, physical constraints (e.g., hills), spacing between stops on the route, and impacts on other routes.

    We also looked at whether it had a twin stop in the opposite direction, nearby crosswalks, or stop amenities (e.g., shelters, benches).  

    Finally, we considered 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 larger spacing between current stops.  

    Where else has TransLink done bus stop balancing?

    TransLink has successfully balanced bus stop spacing on Routes 2, N22, 17 and 25 to improve travel times and reliability. The feedback we received from customers has helped inform bus stop balancing initiatives on other corridors across the region.

    How will my feedback be used?

    Feedback from customers, residents, businesses, and operators will be analyzed to determine which changes will be made permanent. This analysis will help refine how the bus stop balancing program is rolled out on other routes across the region.  

     A final decision about which bus stops to permanently remove will be made after the close of the public feedback period in early spring.  

    What community consultation and engagement has occurred for this round of bus stop balancing?

    Engagement and consultation for bus stop balancing on Route 4 and 7 followed a rigorous planning process, informed by an analysis of which stops to consolidate, remove, or add. During this initial phase, we worked with municipal partners, bus operators, senior leadership, and key community stakeholders. We then took an initial proposal to key advisory committees, and amended our proposal based on their feedback.

    In November 2021, the amended proposal was taken public! We shared our draft proposal with the community in several ways, including:

    • Signs at every bus stop—including translated signs;

    • Partnership with Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB) to send emails and voicemails to members in surrounding postal codes;

    • Letters and phone calls to hundreds of stakeholders along both routes;

    • Details on our website, including an interactive map with information about why we did or did not propose changes to a bus stop;

    • Virtual and in-person meetings with specific stakeholders where changes were proposed nearby, as needed; and

    • Community feedback collected through an online survey.

    We collected feedback during this 6-week public notification period and modified our proposal, as needed.

    In January, we implemented bus stop balancing for a trial period. Throughout this period, we have continued to take feedback (by phone, online) and conduct individual meetings with stakeholders.

    After each bus stop balancing trial period ends and the survey closes, the project team analyses all the feedback collected throughout the program. Based on this feedback, we make a final recommendation about which stops should be permanently added or removed.

    Through an iterative process, we arrive at a proposal that balances providing people with close, convenient access to transit, and having faster, more reliable service.

    Which other Routes will be impacted by Bus stop Balancing on Route 17?

    Route 10, 100 and the N15 will all be impacted by bus stop balancing on Route 17. See below for specific stop information.

    • 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
    • NB Oak St at W 14 Ave – Stop # 50460
    • NB Cambie St at W 8 Ave – Stop # 50482
      • Also affects route N15
    • SB Oak St at W 14 Ave – Stop # 50332
    • SB Oak St at Balfour Ave – Stop # 50336
    • 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

    Which other Routes will be impacted by Bus stop Balancing on Route 25?

    Route 33 and 7 will all be impacted by bus stop balancing on Route 25. See below for specific stop information.

    • 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
    • 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