Faster, more reliable bus service, with a better customer experience, delivered in two years. That was the challenge set forth to TransLink’s RapidBus project team. Access worked with Metro Vancouver’s TransLink to deliver the first phase of RapidBus, a 76-kilometer network of high-quality, limited stop bus routes with extensive transit priority.

RapidBus allows for a quick and cost-effective implementation of high-quality rapid transit, bringing comfort, reliability, high-frequency, and speed for a fraction of the cost and time of rail or traditional BRT. Transit is prioritized with dedicated bus lanes and signals deployed strategically throughout the route, prioritizing the biggest hot spots of delay. The result is a minimum of 20% reduction in end-to-end travel time for all routes. Amenities such as real-time information, high-quality urban integration, and protected waiting areas elevate the customer experience.

Our task was to deliver the first five of 11 routes – approximately 76 kilometers and 120 stops – by early 2020. This was a highly complex project, working with over a dozen municipalities, the University of British Columbia, and the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, who all have different approving authority across the RapidBus network. We partnered closely with TransLink’s operating entity, Coast Mountain Bus Company, to deliver integrated projects that support bus operations and safety while enhancing community mobility options.