TransLink Launches R2 RapidBus Three Months Early, Under Budget

TransLink, New Westminster, BC, Canada, has launched a major new regional transit connection three months ahead of schedule and under budget: the R2 RapidBus extension to Metrotown. The new R2 Marine–Willingdon RapidBus will be extended from Phibbs Exchange to Metrotown Station, via Hastings Street and Willingdon Avenue.

The new route will connect customers to a corridor that provides access to approximately 98,000 jobs, as well as major post-secondary institutions, town centers, shopping areas, and two SkyTrain lines. The route will serve key destinations, including Park Royal, Capilano Mall, Lower Lonsdale, Lower Lynn Valley, Burnaby Heights, Brentwood Town Centre, British Columbia Institute of Technology, and Metrotown, while providing connections to SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium lines.

“People rely on transit every day to get to work, school, and where they need to go. Delivering the R2 extension three months early means customers will have more direct connection across one of Metro Vancouver’s busiest corridors sooner,” said Kevin Quinn, TransLink CEO. “The extended route will connect people to nearly 100,000 jobs and key destinations across the North Shore, Vancouver, and Burnaby, demonstrating the impact we can have when we invest in better transit connections.”

The new extension will provide frequent, all-day service seven days a week, including buses every six to seven minutes during peak periods; and add capacity along the corridor with 60-foot buses, offering approximately 50 per cent more room than standard buses.

Fourteen bus stops have been upgraded to accommodate larger buses and improve accessibility, including the addition of tactile walking surface indicators and accessible loading areas. Nine new Bus Passenger Information Displays have been installed, providing real-time information and text-to-speech functionality for customers. Eight new stops have also been added along the route, with two new bus shelters in Burnaby.

Launching the R2 extension ahead of schedule—and under budget—is part of TransLink’s work to deliver service funded through the 2025 Investment Plan quickly and responsibly, providing more capacity and better connections as Metro Vancouver’s population and economy continue to grow.

This R2 extension reflects a shared commitment, made possible with support and collaboration from the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation, the City of Burnaby, the District of North Vancouver, the city of North Vancouver, the District of West Vancouver, the City of Vancouver, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and the Province of British Columbia.

Planning will also continue for future BRT and other possible rapid transit improvements in this part of the region. A decision on the final route option for BRT in Vancouver and Burnaby will be made in 2027.