Its been almost two years since the Canada line launched, but already the ridership figures are way ahead of schedule.
So much so, in fact, that this week Canada Line commuters can expect more frequent service during longer peak hours throughout the rapid transit system starting Wednesday.
TransLink is adding two trains to the line that runs from Richmond and Vancouver International Airport to Vancouver's downtown core to bring the total complement to 16 during peak service hours.
During the week, that means more trains and shorter wait times between 6:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Peak service will start at the regular times of 9 a.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. Sundays and holidays, but will run an hour later each day until 7 p.m.
The changes might not be accurately reflected on TransLink's online trip planner until Labour Day, so TransLink has recommended arriving a bit earlier than usual for time-sensitive trips starting Aug. 10.
TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie said the permanent change is in response to an increase in demand over the last two years.
Daily ridership is clearing 116,000 but wasn't expected to hit the 100,000 a day mark until 2013.
"It really has grown more quickly than the forecast," Hardie said.
He said usage during the Olympics helped.
"People found it as a good way to get downtown and after the Games, they kept on using it," he said.
The line also links well with other bus, train and seabus routes, he said, which has been "critical" in gaining higher ridership.
TransLink expects to provide 340 million transit rides this year, Hardie noted.
Based on the prediction that ridership would go up, Hardie said TransLink planned and budgeted for service increases, so the change represents no additional cost.
The increase in service was planned in the operating contract between TransLink and InTransit BC, the company that built the Canada Line.
