TransLink Reveals 15-Year Bus Network Overhaul for Vancouver, Burnaby & New Westminster

TransLink Finalizes 15-Year Plan for Burrad Peninsula Bus Network Overhaul

TransLink has finalized its 15-year plan to overhaul the bus network across the Burrad Peninsula – encompassing Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, UBC, and the University Endowment Lands. The plan, revealed on March 20, 2026, outlines 59 recommended changes to bus routes, building on a draft plan released in early 2025 for public consultation.

The changes range from creating new limited-stop express routes and crosstown connections to adjusting existing routes and even eliminating some altogether. A key component of the plan involves improving connections with the upcoming Broadway Subway, with adjustments planned for routes like the No. 9 UBC/Alma/Commercial-Broadway to maintain frequent service after the subway’s opening in 2027. Several routes, including the No. 14 UBC/Downtown/Hastings and No. 16 29th Avenue/Arbutus, which were temporarily rerouted during subway construction, will return to their original paths, with some exceptions.

Notably, the plan includes a new bus route circling Stanley Park, traversing the entire 8.5-km perimeter road and connecting to Waterfront Station. This route, already funded in TransLink’s 2025 Investment Plan, is anticipated to launch as early as 2027. Other significant changes include rerouting the No. 4 UBC/Downtown/Powell, which will no longer serve downtown Vancouver, and dividing the existing No. 16 route into two separate services to better serve areas like the Broadway Plan area and the Senakw rental housing complex.

Infrastructure Constraints and Future Expansion

While the plan outlines ambitious improvements, TransLink acknowledges significant hurdles to implementation. The transit authority noted in 2024 that current bus depot capacity limits service expansion to a maximum of 15 percent. Many of the planned changes will require substantial capital investment, including expanding bus exchanges, acquiring additional buses, and building new depot facilities. This highlights a critical infrastructure bottleneck that will need to be addressed to fully realize the benefits of the revamped bus network.

The phased implementation of the plan also reflects funding realities. Some changes are contingent on securing funding through TransLink’s Mayors’ Council Investment Plans, while smaller adjustments can be introduced through regular quarterly service changes. TransLink is concurrently developing a similar plan for Surrey, Langley City, Langley Township, North Delta, and White Rock, indicating a broader regional effort to optimize bus networks.

Beyond route adjustments, the plan envisions new crosstown routes, including services along 57th and 54th Avenues, East 1st Avenue, Grandview Highway, and Canada Way. Seven new limited-stop express routes are also proposed, mirroring existing local routes to provide faster service along key corridors. These include express routes connecting Phibbs Exchange in North Vancouver to downtown Vancouver and the Expo Line, as well as express services between key hubs like Metrotown and UBC.

Looking ahead, the plan anticipates further adjustments as the Millennium Line extends to UBC in the 2030s. The No. 42 route, currently serving Spanish Banks, will be significantly shortened, and the No. 84 UBC/VCC-Clark Station express route may be adjusted or discontinued. The opening of the Burnaby Mountain gondola is also expected to lead to the elimination of the No. 145 SFU/Production Way-University route.

The Burrad Peninsula Area Transport Plan represents a significant undertaking for TransLink, aiming to create a more efficient, reliable, and connected bus network. However, its success hinges on securing the necessary funding and addressing the existing infrastructure constraints that limit service expansion. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether TransLink can deliver on its vision for a modernized bus system across the region.