TransLink Geared Up for World Cup

With under 100 days before the World Cup, public transit agencies across North America’s 16 host cities are finalizing plans to move the expected surge of fans. In Vancouver, BC, TransLink unveiled plans to seamlessly coordinate public transportation to and from BC Place for the seven games being hosted between June 13 and July 7.

The city previously hosted a World Expo, the Olympic Games, and the Women’s World Cup, experience that TransLink will leverage to move large crowds safely and reliably. “Our system was built for major events, and it’s ready for the world’s biggest,” said TransLink CEO and member, APTA Board of Directors, Kevin Quinn.

Given road closures and controlled areas, transit will be the fastest and easiest way to reach BC Place and the free FIFA Fan Festival, where games will be broadcast on large screens at Hastings Park. TransLink plans to increase service across its system—bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and the West Coast Express—to move people from within and outside of the city. The agency will also increase the number of frontline staff, including SkyTrain, Canada Line, and SeaBus Marine attendants; transit police, security officers, and supervisors; and customer information agents and transit volunteers to answer questions, manage crowds, provide directions, and support customer safety.

TransLink plans include:

• Approximately 600 additional bus trips per day and a dedicated shuttle between specific lines. Additional service will be provided downtown with buses on standby to respond to crowd surges and changing conditions.
• Extra service before and after matches on the city’s SkyTrain rapid transit and key match day station changes.
• More frequent SeaBus sailings across Burrard Inlet every day for the duration of the tournament and extended hours for evening matches.
• Special West Coast Express commuter trains for weekend matches.
• Designated pick-up locations for the HandyDART shared-ride service.