TransLink is rolling out its fall service increases, including a bus directly from West Vancouver to UBC.
But this doesn’t include reinstating the 480 bus that travelled directly from Richmond to UBC, cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A TransLink spokesperson explained in July to Richmond city council how the transit authority didn’t have the resources to reinstate this service and claimed taking the Canada Line and transferring to UBC buses in Vancouver was just as fast.
TransLink’s vice-president of planning, Sarah Ross, told city council at that time there were other areas, for example, South of the Fraser, where demand has increased and needed more bus service.
She added resources for the 480 bus – which included 12 buses and 25 drivers – were reallocated around the region.
In place of the 480 bus from Bridgeport to UBC, those commuting to UBC are encouraged to take the Canada Line and transfer to express buses on 41st and 49th avenues in Vancouver.
A Richmond resident and student, James Yu, collected about 800 signatures on a petition to reinstate the Richmond-UBC bus, prompting city council to ask TransLink to explain to them why the bus wasn't brought back.
After the TransLink presentation, city council voted unanimously to write to the CEO of TransLink and its board to reinstate the 480 bus.
The West Vancouver express service, the 44 bus, will go between UBC and Dundarave.
“The route 44 extension will provide a one-seat ride, offering a direct alternative for customers transferring between routes 250 and 44 in Downtown Vancouver,” read the news release from TransLink.
Other increases in service will be on the routes in Surrey and Burnaby.
The changes will take effect on Sept. 4.
Go to translink.ca/servicechanges for more information on specific route changes.
