We’ve released the Burrard Peninsula Area Transport Plan, a long-term guide that lays out how transit and transportation could improve across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, the University of British Columbia, and the University Endowment Lands over the next 15 years. The plan focuses on making it easier, faster, and safer for people to get where they need to go, whether that’s by bus, SkyTrain, bike, or walking.

The Burrard Peninsula study area also lies within the traditional and unceded territories of several First Nations, including kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen First Nation), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and qiqéyt (Qayqayt First Nation). We value the input of Indigenous communities in shaping this plan.

A roadmap shaped by customers and communities

The plan was developed over multiple years using transportation data, close work with local and provincial partners, and feedback from two rounds of public engagement. Customers, community groups, and First Nations shared what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change as the region grows.

The result is a practical blueprint that helps guide future transit investments and service improvements.

What does the plan focus on?

The Burrard Peninsula Area Transport Plan targets three big priorities:

• Better bus service
• Stronger walking and cycling connections
• Safer, more reliable movement of goods

Here are some of the highlights transit customers may notice over time:

Improving bus service and connections

To keep up with growing demand and new infrastructure like the Broadway Subway, the plan recommends:

• 59 proposed bus route changes to make trips faster, more direct, and better connected
• New bus routes, including a Stanley Park route already funded through the 2025 Investment Plan
• More comfortable, safer, and easier-to-use transit, with a focus on customer experience
• Bus priority measures (like transit lanes and signal priority) on busy corridors to improve reliability and reduce delays

Not every change will happen at once, but together, these improvements aim to help customers spend less time waiting and more time getting where they’re going.

Making it easier to walk, bike, and access transit

The plan also supports:

• Expanding the Major Bike Network, making cycling a more convenient option for shorter trips or connecting to transit
• Better walking and bike access to SkyTrain stations and bus exchanges, with safer, more direct routes
• Improved connections that support people of all ages and abilities

These upgrades help make active transportation a more practical choice, whether you’re biking to the bus or walking the last few blocks home.

Supporting safer goods movement

The plan looks at how goods move across the Burrard Peninsula and recommends improvements that:

• Prioritize the safety of people walking and cycling
• Improve the reliability of goods movement routes
• Reduce emissions, working with municipal and provincial partners to support a cleaner transportation system

When will changes happen?

This is a long-term, 15-year plan, and improvements will roll out in phases.

• Smaller changes, like minor bus route adjustments, may happen through TransLink’s regular quarterly service changes
• Larger projects, such as new routes or major infrastructure upgrades, will depend on funding through future investment plans

As projects move forward, customers will be kept informed about what’s changing and when.

Looking ahead

The Burrard Peninsula Area Transport Plan is about planning ahead so that transit continues to meet the needs of a growing, changing region.

With better bus service, stronger walking and cycling connections, and safer streets for everyone, the goal is a transportation system that works better for customers today and into the future.

The post What’s next for transit on the Burrard Peninsula? A look at TransLink’s new Area Transport Plan appeared first on The Buzzer blog.

They include Transit Operators, SkyTrain and Canada Line Attendants, SkyTrain Supervisors, SeaBus Marine Attendants, Transit Security Officers, Transit Supervisors, and many others you see throughout the system.

They’re the eyes on the road, at SkyTrain Stations, and bus exchanges 24/7. They are also the ears that hear from transit riders and communities across Metro Vancouver. At times, they are first on the scene, quickly alerting first responders like Transit Police.

Their vigilance and presence across the region make all the difference. These stories show exactly how.

SkyTrain Attendant helps a missing patient return safely

🗓️ February 2026

One night, SkyTrain Attendant Sukh Behal noticed a man who looked very confused at King George Station. He called Transit Police, who were able to determine that the man was a patient and reported missing from Royal Columbian Hospital.

The patient made it back safely to continue getting the care he needed, thanks to Sukh’s keen observation.

SkyTrain Supervisor helps retrieve a stolen bike

🗓️ November 2025

SkyTrain Supervisor Fabian Tong is always alert about stolen bikes on the system, and has located several of them while on shift; one of those occasions happened in 2025.

One night, he noticed a man in possession of a stolen bike at Commercial–Broadway Station. He recognized the bike from the Project 529 website, an online resource for recording missing bikes. Without hesitation, he alerted Transit Police.

Officers arrived and confirmed the bike was listed as stolen.

Thanks to Fabian’s quick action, the bike was returned to its registered owner.

Transit Operator doused fire at a cheese shop

🗓️ August 2024

While driving the #20 Victoria bus in downtown Vancouver around 2 a.m., Transit Operator Brian Donovan saw a cheese shop storefront on fire. Without hesitation, he sprang into action — stopping the bus safely and pulling out a fire extinguisher, which is kept on all buses.

Within seconds, the fire was out and he was back on the bus, on his way to the next stop.

Brian’s bravery and quick thinking earned him special recognition from Chief Karen Fry of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. She noted fires can double in size every 30 seconds, so Brian’s swift action to put out the fire, and prevent it from getting worse was truly commendable. He also saved the local business from severe damage that could have caused a shutdown for months.

Transit Operator helps reunite lost child with parents

🗓️ July 2024

While driving the R4 41st Ave RapidBus route, Transit Operator Moneesh Goundar noticed a boy alone at a bus stop, with no shoes and an iPad in hand.

“I thought the parents were behind him, so I looked around to try to locate them,” said Moneesh.

Without an adult in sight, Moneesh contacted T-Comm, Coast Mountain Bus Company’s control centre, who alerted the Vancouver Police Department and found the boy’s parents.

While waiting for the parents, Moneesh kept the boy, who is on the autism spectrum, calm and occupied. “He wanted to watch videos on his iPad but there was no Wi-Fi, so I showed him Paw Patrol videos on my phone.”

Transit Operator saves a passenger from choking

🗓️ September 2024

While pulling into a bus stop on an R5 Hasting St RapidBus, Transit Operator Travis Noel noticed a woman in distress on the sidewalk. She was making signals with her hands across her throat, indicating she was choking. Immediately, Travis parked the bus safely and stepped out to help.

“The first thing that went through my mind was: I hope I can do the Heimlich manoeuvre to help her,” said Travis. “I hadn’t done it before, but I learned the Heimlich manoeuvre in my high school first aid class. Thankfully, after a few attempts, I was able to clear what was stuck, and the woman was able to catch her breath.”

Once the woman settled, a bus passenger offered to stay with her to call for medical help. After the incident, the passenger contacted Coast Mountain Bus Company with words of praise, saying “The driver was very calm and kind… The driver might have saved her life.”

Missing dog made it home safely thanks to a SkyTrain Attendant, Transit Operator, T-Comm, and Transit Police

🗓️ September 2022

Ollie, a Border Collie, was out with his owner one afternoon. For a brief moment, the owner tied Ollie outside of a business in downtown Vancouver. When he returned, Ollie was gone.

The owner reported it immediately to the Vancouver Police Department and posted on his social media.

Hours later, a SkyTrain Attendant saw the post and just before she ended her shift at Lougheed Town Centre Station, she saw a woman board the #9 bus with a dog that looked identical to Ollie. The attendant reported it to Transit Police, who requested T-Comm put out an alert to all Transit Operators in the area.

Transit Operator Anmol Parmar, who was driving the #9 bus, recognized Ollie and the suspect as described in the alert onboard his bus. He then provided real-time updates to TComm Supervisor, Gordon Misner, who coordinated Ollie and the suspect’s location with Transit Police. The officers intercepted the suspect and Ollie made it home safe.

These stories are just a few examples of how frontline staff help keep transit riders and communities safe every day.

As Chief Fry from Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services puts it, “They’re kind of being our everyday heroes out there.”

March 18 is Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation Day. Join us in thanking the nearly 10,000 dedicated transit staff who keep our communities moving safely every day. Show your appreciation by thanking a bus operator, an STA, and other transit staff you see in-person.

You can also share your thanks on social media by tagging #thankstransit and @TransLink.

The post “Everyday heroes”: when frontline staff step up to keep transit safe appeared first on The Buzzer blog.

Making all of that happen are more than 9,000 amazing frontline transit workers. Operators, attendants, maintenance crews, mechanics, dispatchers, and so many others keep the system moving, day in and day out.

On March 18, we’re joining transit agencies across Canada, and the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA), to celebrate Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation Day.

We’d love for you to join us by saying thanks.

It doesn’t take much to show your appreciation. Here are a few easy ways to do it:

1. Join us at Waterfront Station and leave a written message

Where: Waterfront Station

When: Wednesday, March 18

Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

You can find us inside Waterfront Station, right in the concourse linking the Expo Line, West Coast Express, and SeaBus. Swing by our booth and add a message to our giant thank-you wall for transit workers.

Take a moment to fill out a card and show some love to our hardworking frontline staff.

2. Tell them in person

The next time you run into your favourite transit worker, say hello! If you’ve got time to thank them, even better. You never know when a simple hello and a moment of gratitude could make someone’s day.

3. Tell us your story

Have a specific transit worker you’d like to thank? Comment below, share about it on your socials, and tag us @TransLink!

The post 3 simple ways to say thanks for Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation Day on March 18 appeared first on The Buzzer blog.

No two spring breakers are the same. Whether you’re travelling with kids, hanging out with friends, or planning a solo day of exploring, these activities offer something for everyone.

These spring break hot spots near transit are also part of our Offers* program; that means you can get a discount, or a deal, just by showing your Compass Card or proof-of-fare purchased.

With those savings, why not try something new? You never know what visit or activity might spark your interest, and you’re likely to stumble across cool new places when you take transit.

1. H.R. MacMillan Space Centreand Museum of Vancouver

📍 Address: 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC
🎫 Admission (H.R. MacMillan): $27.50 for adults, $19.60 for children, kids under 5 get in free.
🎫 Admission (Museum of Vancouver): $24 for adults, $19 for youth, cchildren 12 and under get in free when accompanied by an adult.
Transit: 2 Macdonald/Downtown, 84 UBC/VCC–Clark Station, 50 South False Creek/Waterfront Station
🏷️ Offer (H.R. MacMillan): Show your Compass Card or proof of same-day fare to receive 25% off general admission. Valid for in-person admission payment only; not valid for special events.
🏷️ Offer (Museum of Vancouver): Show your Compass Card or proof of same-day fare to receive 2-for-1 admission.

The Museum of Vancouver offers hands‑on exhibits that invite visitors of all ages to learn and explore at their own pace. From interactive displays about local culture and design to exhibitions that connect Vancouver’s past, present, and future, it’s a good stop for curious spring breakers.

Next door, science and space come to life at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre through immersive planetarium shows and interactive exhibits. Whether you’re learning about stars, planets, or the latest cosmic discoveries, it’s an entertaining and educational out-of-this-world experience.

2. FlyOver

📍 Address: 999 Canada Pl #201, Vancouver, BC
🎫 Admission: $35 for adults, $25 for children.
Transit: Waterfront Station
🏷️ Offer: Show your Compass Card or proof of same-day fare to receive 20% off single admission.*

FlyOver is an immersive virtual flight that takes you over breathtaking landscapes using motion, wind, and scents for an exciting, memorable ride that’s perfect for all ages.

3. BC Sports Hall of Fame at BC Place

📍 Address: Gate A of BC Place, Vancouver, BC
🎫 Admission: $20 for adults, $12 for children, children 4 and under get in free with a paid adult ticket.
Transit: Stadium–Chinatown Station
🏷️ Offer: Show your Compass Card or proof of same-day fare to receive 2-for-1 on admission.*

The BC Sports Hall of Fame has interactive exhibits and iconic sports memorabilia, letting visitors explore the achievements and stories of BC’s top athletes in a fun, hands‑on setting.

4. Grouse Mountain

📍 Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver 
🎫 Admission: $84 for adults, $44 for children, children 2 and under get in free.
Transit: 236 Grouse Mountain/Lonsdale Quay, 232 Grouse Mountain/Phibbs Exchange
🏷️ Offer: Show your Compass Card or proof of same-day fare to receive $10 off onsite adult and senior mountain admission. Available in-person only at Guest Services.*

An easy bus ride away from North Vancouver (squeeze in a SeaBus ride with this one!), Grouse Mountain has snowy fun, outdoor adventures, and family‑friendly attractions for a full day of winter (or spring!) wonderment.

5. The World of Kidtropolis

📍 Address: 110-5940 No 2 Rd, Richmond
🎫 Admission: $28 for 1 child and 1 adult admission for drop-in play.
Transit: 401 One Road/Brighouse Station
🏷️ Offer: Show your Compass Card or proof of fare to receive a 15% discount on drop-in admission tickets. Not applicable on special events, birthday parties, and kid camps. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts.*

Younger spring breakers take the lead at The World of Kidtropolis: an indoor miniature city where kids can role‑play real‑world jobs, earn play money, and explore hands‑on activities designed to spark their imagination and creativity.

6. West Coast Mini Putt

📍Address: 7391 Elmbridge Way, Richmond, BC
🎫 Admission: $18.50 for adults, $13.50 for children.
Transit: Lansdowne Station
🏷️ Offer: Show your Compass Card or proof of fare to receive $2 off admission.*

Add a little friendly competition to spring break at West Coast Mini Putt, where colourful indoor courses make for an easy, all‑ages activity that’s fun rain or shine.

*TransLink is not responsible for delivery or execution of offers and is not liable for any costs associated with providing offer to customers. We recommend checking with the offer location for the terms & conditions of each specific offer.

The post Save with your Compass Card on these 6 spring break activities appeared first on The Buzzer blog.

With 100 days until the first whistle of FIFA World Cup 2026 in Vancouver, we’re getting ready to welcome the world to our region and help everyone get where they need to go.

Major events bring big crowds, and that means more people travelling across Metro Vancouver. Whether you’re heading to a match at BC Place, watching the action at the FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE, or just making your usual trip across the region, we’re planning ahead to keep transit moving smoothly.

Our system was built for moments like this.

Metro Vancouver has hosted global events before, from Expo 86 to the 2010 Winter Olympics, and transit played a major role in getting people there. For FIFA World Cup 2026, we’re scaling up service across our system to help move fans, visitors, and residents during the tournament.

Here’s what to expect.

More bus service across Metro Vancouver

We’re adding more than 12,000 additional bus service hours throughout the tournament to help customers travel across the region.

This includes:

• Extra service on routes serving the FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE
• A dedicated shuttle connecting the PNE to SkyTrain on the Expo and Millennium lines
• More service in the downtown core, where travel demand will be highest
• Extra buses on standby to respond to crowd surges in real time

Transit supervisors will be closely monitoring ridership so we can deploy additional buses when and where they’re needed.

Extra SkyTrain service on match days

SkyTrain will be running more frequently to help move large crowds before and after matches at BC Place.

On match days, customers can expect:

• Trains approximately every two minutes at downtown stations before and after matches
• One hour of extended service on nights when matches start at 8 p.m. or later
• Empty trains waiting at Main Street–Science World Station after matches to help fans get home quickly

Because of the secure event perimeter around BC Place, Stadium–Chinatown and Yaletown–Roundhouse stations will not provide pedestrian access to the stadium on match days.

If you’re heading to the match, plan to use Main Street–Science World Station.

More SeaBus sailings

If you’re travelling across Burrard Inlet, SeaBus will also see increased service during the tournament.

Expect:

• 15-minute service or better all day, every day
• 10-minute sailings before and after matches
• Extended operating hours when late matches are scheduled

This will help keep people moving smoothly between the North Shore and downtown Vancouver.

Special West Coast Express service

For fans travelling from the Fraser Valley and Northeast Sector, we’ll also be running special West Coast Express service on weekend match days.

Special round-trip trains will operate on:

📅 Saturday, June 13
📅 Sunday, June 21

One train will travel westbound before each match, with an eastbound train returning after the game.

HandyDART access during the tournament

HandyDART customers will have designated pick-up and drop-off locations near both tournament venues.

📍 BC Place: Expo Boulevard and Carrall Street, and Nelson Street between Pacific and Expo Boulevards
📍 FIFA Fan Festival: Gate 2 Parking Lot 1 and Gate 10 Parking Lot 9

Pick-up windows will be adjusted to account for road closures, congestion, and matches that may go into extra time.

More staff across the system

During the tournament, you’ll see more frontline staff across the transit network helping customers navigate busy stations and major event crowds.

This includes additional:

• SkyTrain and Canada Line attendants
• Transit Police and security officers
• Transit supervisors
• SeaBus marine attendants
• Customer information agents
• Transit volunteers

They’ll be there to answer questions, provide directions, and help keep everyone moving safely.

Transit will be the fastest way to the action

With road closures, traffic management, and controlled access zones around event venues, driving near BC Place and the PNE will be limited.

Transit will be the fastest and easiest way to reach both the stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival.

Plan your trip ahead of time

If you’re planning to attend matches or events during FIFA World Cup 2026 Vancouver, a little preparation can go a long way.

✔ Visit translink.ca/worldcupvan for updates
✔ Sign up for Transit Alerts
✔ Use Compass, contactless credit/debit, or mobile wallet for quick and easy fare payment

We’re excited to help welcome the world to Metro Vancouver and make sure everyone can get to the action.

The post TransLink’s game plan for FIFA World Cup 2026 Vancouver appeared first on The Buzzer blog.

It makes its debut at the 52nd Annual Chinatown Spring Festival Parade on Feb. 22 where transit staff will walk alongside it. Afterwards, you’ll find it in service on routes throughout Vancouver.

About our Year of the Horse bus wrap:

The Year of the Horse is represented running through rolling hills, with bright cherry blossoms and a blazing mane. It’s mane and tail are made of fire, meant to represent movement, progress and connection.  The number of horses (6) is a lucky number. The mural also captures a stampede of horses running together, symbolizing strength and high energy. Designed in-house, it carries our communities into the New Year with confidence and optimism.

Take transit to the Chinatown Spring Festival Parade

📍 Address: Parade begins at Vancouver Chinatown Millennium Gate, Pender Street, Vancouver
📅 Date: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026
🕚 Time: 11 a.m. (parade start), 2 to 4 p.m. (fair at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Plaza)
🎟️ Admission: Free!
Transit: Stadium–Chinatown Station (Expo Line), R5 Hastings St RapidBus, 3 Main/Waterfront Station, 8 Fraser/SE Marine Dr, 19 Metrotown Station/Stanley Park, 22 Knight/Downtown, or 50 Waterfront Station/False Creek South

The parade will go forward, rain or shine, so be sure to pack accordingly. If you’re planning on lining the parade route, arrive a little earlier than the start time to get a good spot. Be sure to wave hello when the Lunar New Year bus rolls by!

Enjoy family-friendly activities and entertainment during both the parade and the fair.

Festivities continue post-parade with the free Spring Festival Cultural Fair at the Chinese Cultural Centre and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Plaza from 2 to 4 p.m.

Don’t forget to use TransLink’s Trip Planner to find your transit route, simply punch in your location and where you’re headed, and it’ll show you what transit to take.

These routes are affected by the parade route from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

• 3 Main/Waterfront
• 4 UBC/Downtown/Powell
• 7 Nanaimo/Dunbar
• 8 Fraser/Waterfront
• 19 Metrotown/Stanley Park
• 22 Knight/Downtown
• 23 Main St Station/English Bay
• 50 Waterfront/False Creek South
• 210 Upper Lynn Valley/Burrard
• 211 Seymour/Phibbs Exchange/Burrard

For more information on parade closures, visit our Transit Alerts page to see how your bus may be affected.

The post TransLink’s Lunar New Year bus for the Year of the Horse revealed! appeared first on The Buzzer blog.

In partnership with BC Hydro, we’ve added 15 new public electric vehicle (EV) chargers at Coquitlam Central Station in the Park and Ride lot — and they’re open to everyone.

Coquitlam Central Station is a major transit hub in the network, connecting you to the SkyTrain’s Millennium Line, West Coast Express, and bus routes throughout the Tri-Cities and east toward Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.

So, park, charge and ride transit!

At this station, there are seven Level 2 chargers, which can charge an EV in three to 30 hours — perfect for transit customers. With no idle fees, you can park your car and charge all day. Just pay our Park and Ride daily rate of $3 plus BC Hydro’s charging rate.

Or perhaps you’re staying for just a little while and want faster charging. There are eight Level 3 chargers, which can charge a vehicle in 15 minutes to three hours. You’ll receive free parking for one hour from TransLink, pay the charging rate, and then idle fees will apply from BC Hydro if you remain at the charger after your vehicle is fully charged.

With these chargers, this brings the total number of EV chargers across the transit network to 53.

The Park and Ride lot at Coquitlam Central Station joins lots at Port Coquitlam Station and South Surrey as locations that are equipped with EV charging. Each location has both Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations.

TransLink and BC Hydro continue to look for opportunities to expand this partnership at more Park and Ride locations across Metro Vancouver.

This is our regional transportation strategy, Transport 2050, in action. The plan includes objectives to decrease greenhouse gas emissions from light-duty vehicles in the region by 65 percent compared to 2010 levels and achieve carbon-free transportation by 2050.

Through projects like this in partnership with BC Hydro, we are helping to facilitate the transition to zero-emissions vehicles, creating a more sustainable and convenient transportation network.

Learn more:

• The Buzzer: EV charging hubs launch at Port Coquitlam and South Surrey Park and Ride
• Visit translink.ca/parkandride for more information about parking at TransLink Park and Rides.
• For more information about using the EV chargers on site, visit BC Hydro’s website or phone their customer centre at 1.866.338.3369.

The post Electric vehicle charging arrives at Coquitlam Central Station appeared first on The Buzzer blog.

But you don’t stand over the Fraser River for nearly a century without becoming part of the family.

When the Pattullo opened on Nov. 15, 1937, it was a marvel of the modern era. It was built to replace the old, combined road-and-rail bridge, and at a cost of $4 million, it was the gateway that truly tied the South of the Fraser to the rest of the region. Since then, it’s estimated that over a billion trips have been made across those four narrow lanes.

But those billion trips represent much more than just traffic flow. They were a billion times we crossed the water to see a friend, to make it home for dinner, or to reach the places where our biggest life milestones were waiting for us.

The Pattullo was the bridge that carried us home from the Royal Columbian Hospital with a newborn in the back seat. It was the backdrop for countless first days of school, and the route to that high-stakes job interview in the city.

Built in the 1930s for vehicles that were much smaller than those today, the bridge developed a reputation for keeping drivers on their toes. Those narrow lanes didn’t leave much room for error — or mirrors — but it was a bridge with character. In between the focused steering and the tight S-curve, it still managed to offer some of the best views in the region. If you timed your drive just right, you’d catch the sunrise hitting the Port Mann Bridge to the east, or a summer sunset painting SkyTrain’s cable-stayed SkyBridge to the west.

Over the years, we’ve watched the landscape change from those lanes. We saw the riverfront of New Westminster transform into a bustling hub and watched as Surrey grew into a place that opened its arms to thousands of newcomers from around the world. The Pattullo even had a front-row seat to the birth of modern transit in our region as SkyTrain expanded across the Fraser River in the mid-80s. The old bridge watched from just a few metres away as the slender pylons of the SkyBridge began to rise from the riverbed. It stood by as the first SkyTrain cars hummed across the water in 1989, welcoming a new partner to the task of moving Metro Vancouver.

Through all that growth and innovation, the Pattullo stayed the same.

It wasn’t always an easy relationship. We’ve all spent time sitting in the crawl of congestion, cursing traffic (wishing we were on the neighbouring SkyBridge as transit commuters whizzed by). It was the way we got to grandma’s house for Sunday dinner or the way we reached the beach on a Saturday morning.

For one final weekend, Metro Vancouverites from near and far gave the old bridge the send-off it deserved. The engines fell silent and the bridge belonged entirely to the people. Thousands of residents from across the region gathered to walk the span one last time. It was a beautiful, chaotic parade of neighbours — bikes, scooters, dogs — so many dogs, and even a few horses — all crossing at a pace that allowed us to finally stop and say thank you.

The air was filled with laughter and the sound of people reminiscing as they snapped final photos against the orange steel. Perhaps most moving was seeing people leave their mark on the bridge itself. Armed with markers and memories, visitors signed their names, scribbled heartfelt thank yous, and shared brief stories of the decades they spent crossing these lanes. It was a final, personal connection to a structure that had carried so many for so long.

Thank you, Pattullo, for the nearly 100 years of service. You stayed on the job for decades longer than anyone ever intended, standing firm as a workhorse for a region that grew much faster than the engineers of 1937 could have imagined. Thank you for holding us up through the storms, for being the first landmark we looked for on the flight home, and for connecting our communities back when we were just starting to grow.

For the 77,500 vehicles that used the Pattullo every year, the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge is a wider and safer four-lane crossing with separated paths for walking and cycling. We’re moving on to something new, but we’re taking nearly nine decades of memories with us across the river.

The post 88 years of connections: Saying goodbye to the Pattullo Bridge appeared first on The Buzzer blog.

Being away from friends and family, it had him feeling homesick, so he built a piece of home online, one he can visit (and virtually ride) anytime.

As a transit fan and a Metro Vancouver local, nothing reminds Julian more of home but the SkyTrain.

Since 2022, Julian has been building a virtual SkyTrain world in the computer and mobile game, Roblox. Like the game Minecraft, users can freely explore, build, and create characters and worlds (also known as “experiences” in Roblox).

It’s also an online multiplayer game which means other users, wherever they are across the world, can ride the SkyTrain and see Metro Vancouver sights virtually!

How Julian built the SkyTrain network in Roblox

The SkyTrain network in Roblox took years to build. It requires a huge amount of patience, dedication, and passion to create an entire world from scratch. Creating the model of the Mark V SkyTrain alone took about a week, spending about an hour a day, or eight hours if worked on non-stop. Not to mention the time it takes to gather and photograph reference materials.

For more than four years, Julian has been able to build the Expo Line from Waterfront to Columbia stations, including everything in between. That includes every model of SkyTrain, SeaBus, bus, West Coast Express, iconic sights such as Science World and the TELUS “boot” building, the interior and exterior of SkyTrain stations, and even the TransLink Customer Service Centre.

While he has spent years working on this world, he is far from done. Julian is currently building the Canada Line — train, stations, attractions and all — during his spare time.

Why the SkyTrain?

Born and raised in Hong Kong, where transit is the primary means to get around for most residents, young Julian was surrounded with trains. In Hong Kong, trains travel mostly underground. So, when he moved to Vancouver, where trains travel on an elevated guideway most of the time, his appreciation for trains grew.

He recalls a memory when he was seven — Julian, in a car, asked his relatives if they could ride the Canada Line train. His relatives granted this simple request and together rode the train from Aberdeen to Lansdowne Station, a 2-minute ride, just one station over. Although it was a short ride, it was a ride he’ll never forget.

Now residing in Toronto for university and taking the underground subway there, Julian appreciated even more how SkyTrain isn’t only getting one from point A to B but also takes one on a tour to the iconic sights it runs along.

“Every time, the Expo Line goes through something unique. When you pass through Kingsway, it’s the TELUS building,” says Julian. “It’s not iconic to outsiders, but you know, if you’re from Vancouver, you would know that building.”

Good news is, Julian can visit that building even while in Toronto, through the comfort of his phone. And if there is an attraction that he’d like to visit, or a ride he wants to take, he can create it.

Here’s a series of photos in real life and what they look like if you visit Julian’s SkyTrain world in Roblox:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TransLink (@translink)

The post Vancouver local builds a virtual SkyTrain world in Roblox appeared first on The Buzzer blog.

Literally, in the new limited-edition Captain Canuck Compass Cards.

The two designs feature the iconic Canadian comic book superhero alongside a Vancouver staple, the SkyTrain. Featuring the (first model) and the Mark V SkyTrain (newest model).

In partnership with licensor Lev Gleason Publications Inc., these very-Canadian transit cards can be purchased at Fan Expo (Lev Gleason Booth #1131) from Feb. 14 to 16. Admission to Fan Expo applies. If you’re not going to the event, you can also purchase the cards online at TransLink Store from Feb. 14 until supplies last.

You can get a bundle for $39.99 which includes a Compass Card and poster. The Captain Canuck Compass Cards are standard adult cards and are encoded with a $6 refundable deposit. Purchases are limited to four bundles per customer.

Captain Canuck was created by Canadian artists Richard Comely and Ron Leishman. The first comic book edition was published in 1975.

In the comic, Captain Canuck wasn’t born a superhero. His non-superhero name is Tom Evans, a Mountie (Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer) and secret agent. One night, he was struck by a ray device after a surprise encounter with aliens. This gave him his superpowers, which include super strength, super speed, a photographic memory, and the durability to resist to injury.

His mission as Captain Canuck is to protect Canada, a powerful nation on Earth due to its vast natural resources, from foreign and alien invasion.

The Captain Canuck Compass Card proudly blends Canadian comic nostalgia and Vancouver transit heritage. The modern-style version featuring the Mark V was designed by Vancouver illustrator John Gallagher, while the nostalgic version, featuring a Mark I-inspired train, was designed by Canadian artist Richard Comely.

This collectible joins our collection of special edition Compass Cards released in previous years, including the DC Superhero Compass Cards and Elf Compass Cards.

They’re a fun way to personalize your everyday commute. Which card/s do you have so far?

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