Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion II

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by Glow Fun City

I think Translink should use whatever alternative revenue sources they can find to slow down fare increases…

I've been to transit gift shops in other cities that have all kinds of cool merch available (and they sell very well!). The fact that people will line up for hours to get limited run Compass Cards should indicate that there is more money to be made.

One one hand I absolutely agree with you that merchandising is something international transit agencies excel at and we're pathetic at, but Translink also needs to raise fares every year, at the very least to maintain costs at inflation. Maintenance costs, capital costs, and wages increase faster than inflation, so what's your solution to pay for it all?

[Phrescata]

Have the mark V trains been taken out of service? For the last week or so I’ve only seen them parked at the OMC and storage tracks. I haven’t seen any on the expo line other than the trains currently being tested.

[madog222]

Yup, it's been since the end of July at least. Apparently an issue with the car gangways.
Today there was at least one in revenue service.

[officedweller]

Of interest:

REM in Montreal's airport branch will be single track tunnel from Marie Curie Station to YUL Station.
That distance could be as long as 2.5 km (length of bored tunnel under the runways).
One difference is that the YUL terminus has 2 platforms and 2 tracks, so a train can depart as soon as the next arrrives.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db8wCMEKMhU/?igsh=bmdqNXo0dDFzOHYz
Wrong-railing is just for testing.

Video of YUL Station:
https://youtu.be/n1xLBC3b4xU?si=FS5Aog5i9yqFLIlm

[Sheba]

I just got an 'occupant' letter (dated Aug 5) from TransLink today. Starting this month they're going to be doing night work "to replace the remaining rail between Royal Oak and Edmonds Skytrain Stations" Sun to Thurs 10pm - 4am. The only end date they give is "Fall 2026"

They've been working on the elevator at Royal Oak Station for the last couple weeks and I finally looked up the bus they're telling people to use at Edmonds if they can't use the stairs at Royal Oak (a lot of stairs and no escalator). If their prior estimates hold it should take about 4 months to complete the work there.

Instead of putting in a shuttle they're telling people to take the 148 - a bus that's only every 30 mins and takes 15 mins to travel between the stations (vs a 3 min train ride or 6 mins driving according to google maps). Honestly I don't know why they're not mentioning the 119 as well - sure it only travels to Kingsway and Royal Oak (where plenty of the people stepping off at Royal Oak Station would be going) but it's about every 12 mins.

A few times now I've seen older people going up those stairs in slow motion as it's faster for them than taking the bus to Edmonds and getting on the train there.

[madog222]

R2 extension to Metrotown starts September 7th.

[MIPS]

Originally Posted by chowhou

but Translink also needs to raise fares every year, at the very least to maintain costs at inflation. Maintenance costs, capital costs, and wages increase faster than inflation, so what's your solution to pay for it all?

SkyTrain is still celebrating it's 40th birthday for a few more months. They've had ample time to crank out limited edition 40th anniversary merch.

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by MIPS

SkyTrain is still celebrating it's 40th birthday for a few more months. They've had ample time to crank out limited edition 40th anniversary merch.

There's just no profit motive to do so, really.

[mcj]

Originally Posted by MIPS

SkyTrain is still celebrating it's 40th birthday for a few more months. They've had ample time to crank out limited edition 40th anniversary merch.

I'd buy a t-shirt.

[Glow Fun City]

Originally Posted by mcj

I'd buy a t-shirt.

Definitely! 👍

[officedweller]

Roof leak during the storm on Saturday at Broadway City Hall Station:

https://x.com/VanCityVice/status/2091682036729942277

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Roof leak during the storm on Saturday at Broadway City Hall Station:

https://x.com/VanCityVice/status/2091682036729942277

The current station roof looks like a giant bowl angled to where those skylights are placed.

[officedweller]

That makes sense as to why it leaked there.
Maybe it hasn't been re-tarred/roofed since 2009.

TransLink's one-seat RapidBus ride between Park Royal and Metrotown starts early September


https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/r2-marin...2026-metrotown-translink#google_vignette

[ninjakafi_81]

Originally Posted by officedweller

TransLink's one-seat RapidBus ride between Park Royal and Metrotown starts early September

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/r2-marin...2026-metrotown-translink#google_vignette

Not mentioned in the article but in order for the R2 to be extended to Metrotown they had to downsize the R3.

Starting in September, the R3 will being using standard 40ft buses with no changes to the frequency. I guess that shows how poor the ridership numbers is for the R3.

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by officedweller

That makes sense as to why it leaked there.
Maybe it hasn't been re-tarred/roofed since 2009.

TransLink's one-seat RapidBus ride between Park Royal and Metrotown starts early September

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/r2-marin...2026-metrotown-translink#google_vignette

Apparently the R2 will be using a new “Bay 15” and not Bay 5 as the 222 has been.

Bay 15 appears to be located on the north side of Central Boulevard, across from Bay 12. I can’t quite figure out how this is going to work, considering the R3 will continue to use Willingdon and Central Boulevard. How is it going to turn around?

Map from Translink:

[madog222]

Originally Posted by Dave2

Apparently the R2 will be using a new “Bay 15” and not Bay 5 as the 222 has been.

Bay 15 appears to be located on the north side of Central Boulevard, across from Bay 12. I can’t quite figure out how this is going to work, considering the R3 will continue to use Willingdon and Central Boulevard. How is it going to turn around?

Looping clockwise around Bonsor Park via Bonsor, Bennett, Nelson, and Imperial. The updated route map overlay is already available on Translink's website. https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps/route/r2/direction/1/map?pageSize=5

The southbound offload will be at Bay 14 which is on the south side of Central Blvd just past Bay 13.

[ninjakafi_81]

Originally Posted by Dave2

Apparently the R2 will be using a new “Bay 15” and not Bay 5 as the 222 has been.

Bay 15 appears to be located on the north side of Central Boulevard, across from Bay 12. I can’t quite figure out how this is going to work, considering the R3 will continue to use Willingdon and Central Boulevard. How is it going to turn around?

Map from Translink:

The way buses turn back around is; Central Blvd -> left onto Bonsor -> right onto Nelson -> right onto Imperial -> right back onto Central Blvd to Metrotown Stn bay 15. A new layover spot has also been constructed right in front of the Bonsor Rec Centre along Bonsor Ave for the R2.

[jollyburger]

There was some popup in May/June

The TransLink Store pop-up is coming to Metropolis at Metrotown as part of a special 40th anniversary celebration. As both SkyTrain and the MET mark this milestone year, shoppers are invited to experience this limited-time TransLink Store Metrotown activation in the heart of the centre.
Taking place in Grand Court on May 30 and June 6 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the TransLink Store Metrotown pop-up will feature exclusive merchandise, including the highly anticipated SkyTrain MKV plush. This collectible item is perfect for transit enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to celebrate a piece of Metro Vancouver history.
Metropolis at Metrotown has been a central hub for community, connection, and everyday experiences for 40 years. This collaboration with TransLink brings together two iconic parts of the region, creating a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with both brands in one exciting retail experience. If you’ve been following our 40th Anniversary celebrations, this is another must-visit moment at the MET.
Whether you’re stopping by while shopping, commuting, or exploring Burnaby, the TransLink Store Metrotown event is a fun and memorable way to be part of the celebration. Quantities of the SkyTrain MKV plush are limited, so early arrival is recommended.

https://do604.com/events/2026/5/30/translink-store-pop-up-tickets



https://x.com/TransLink/status/2057159677369077904/photo/1

The plushie is still for sale.

https://translinkstore.ca/

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by madog222

Looping clockwise around Bonsor Park via Bonsor, Bennett, Nelson, and Imperial. The updated route map overlay is already available on Translink's website. https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps/route/r2/direction/1/map?pageSize=5

The southbound offload will be at Bay 14 which is on the south side of Central Blvd just past Bay 13.

I get it now, thanks for the reply. The map certainly helps. I had also forgotten that the R routes use articulated buses, hence the changes from the 222. I’m a regular user of the 144, so this does actually affect me, in a good way imo. A lot more seating in the loop than at Bay 14.

[jollyburger]

DH posted a photo of the concrete pad being installed back in July



https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/r2-marin...aunch-september-2026-metrotown-translink