RapidBus arrives at UBC

Metro Vancouver commuters have a new transit option starting this month: taking one of the four new RapidBus express bus routes.

TransLink launched the RapidBus routes on January 6 which serve Surrey, Coquitlam and both SFU and UBC campuses. UBC students can now take the R4, which travels along 41st Avenue between Joyce-Collingwood station and UBC — effectively replacing the old 43 route.

RapidBus routes offer increased frequency, fewer stops, dedicated bus lanes, all-door boarding and new bus stop signs with live arrival times.

“RapidBus is a crucial part of improving the region’s bus service through the Mayors’ Vision,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond in a press release. “These RapidBus routes will benefit eight communities and bring our customers a more reliable bus service that they deserve.”

Second-year biochemistry student Rayyan Saiyed said the R4 has simplified his commute from Surrey. He previously took the 99, but he enjoys being able to transfer to a bus at Joyce-Collingwood instead of Commercial-Broadway.

“It’s much more convenient because for me, I don’t have to go all the way to Commercial,” he said.

Saiyed said that the R4 is less busy than the 99 — after timing his bus rides, the R4 took “30 to 40 minutes” compared to “40 to 50 minutes” on the 99.

Annabelle Wang, a second-year economics and computer science student, has also started taking the R4. This semester, she began transferring from the Canada Line to the R4 at Oakridge-41st station rather than switching to the 49 at Langara-49th station.

She said that the new bus is fast in the early morning, but less so during peak periods. For capacity, she said it’s unlikely to get a seat unless you board near the first stop.

“The problem I had one morning was that I stood in the rain … and I waited around 10–12 minutes for it,” said Wang. TransLink promises RapidBus arrivals every 10 minutes or better during peak times and at least every 15 minutes otherwise.

Along with the RapidBus fleet carrying new green livery, TransLink has added digital bus stop signs that list upcoming arrival times. While both Saiyed and Wang appreciate this, they both wish for another aesthetic improvement: painted lines that mark where passengers should line up.

“Everybody’s like, ‘I want a seat so I want to be where the doors open.’ So if [TransLink draws] little lines or something, it’s probably easier,” Wang said. “It’s not hard. It’s just paint.”

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