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Bus Rapid Transit Program

A conceptual illustration of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system showing a modern bus in a designated bus lane approaching a station with waiting passengers.

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Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, is a form of bus-based rapid transit that will provide fast, frequent, and reliable service using dedicated lanes with transit signal priority. BRT systems also provide stations instead of bus stops to make waiting more comfortable and boarding more efficient.

BRT is cost-effective to build because it can be implemented at street level while optimizing existing infrastructure. Another key advantage of BRT is that it can often be planned, constructed, and deployed in significantly less time compared to rail alternatives. This means we’ll be able to deliver the benefits of rapid transit to more people, sooner.

We’re in the early stages of an ambitious plan to build up to nine BRT corridors across the region over the next decade. King George Boulevard, Langley – Haney Place, and Metrotown – North Shore are the first three corridors to advance to further planning, engagement, and implementation.

Turn Up and Go

No need to pre-plan, check schedules, or worry about wait times. With BRT’s enhanced reliability and frequency, your experience couldn’t be easier: just turn up and go.

Peace of Mind

Ride with confidence on every BRT journey, knowing you’ll arrive safely, comfortably, and reliably – rain or shine, night or day.

Get There Fast

Avoid unforeseen wait times and skip past traffic, so you can get to the people and places that matter most, faster.

Learn About North American BRT Systems

BRT systems can be found in more than 200 cities around the world. By introducing BRT, our region is following in the footsteps of communities that have successfully leveraged their systems to improve transit reliability, shorten travel times, reduce congestion, support economic development, and build new housing. Learn about North American examples by playing the videos below.

BRT in the Access for Everyone Plan

The Access for Everyone plan includes an expansion of the region’s Major Transit Network by implementing approximately 170 kilometres of rapid transit on up to 11 corridors, nine of which have been identified as BRT corridors.

The nine BRT corridors include:

  • King George Boulevard

  • Langley – Haney Place

  • Metrotown – North Shore

  • Hastings Street

  • Lougheed Highway

  • Lynn Valley – Downtown/Lonsdale

  • Marine Dr Station – 22nd Street Station

  • Richmond Centre – Metrotown

  • Scott Road

Advancing the Priority Corridors

Regional Map for the three new Bus Rapid Transit Corridors

The Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation identified King George Boulevard, Langley – Haney Place, and Metrotown – North Shore as the first three corridors to advance to further planning, engagement, and implementation.

These corridors were selected based on their potential to maximize benefits for the region (including their potential to increase ridership and improve access), future housing and development growth projections, the feasibility of implementing new transit priority infrastructure, and early support from local governments to implement infrastructure changes in their communities.

The specific alignment, roadway designs, associated costs, and timelines have not yet been determined for each of the three corridors. TransLink and local government partners will immediately begin work to advance necessary planning and design work and engage with the public on these three corridors. As these projects are currently unfunded, a business case will be developed for each corridor to be included in a future update to the Investment Plan.

King George Boulevard

Corridor length: 23 kilometres

The King George Boulevard BRT corridor will improve transit access across the region, building on the success of the existing R1 King George Boulevard RapidBus, one of the fastest growing routes on the system.

This BRT corridor will improve Surrey’s access to SkyTrain, including the Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension. It will connect key town centres and other growth areas south of the Fraser River, including: Guildford Town Centre, Surrey Centre, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Bear Creek Park, Newton Centre, South Surrey Park & Ride, and Semiahmoo Centre.

Langley – Haney Place

Corridor length: 22 kilometres

The Langley – Haney Place BRT corridor will connect Langley Centre and Haney Place Exchange in Maple Ridge via 200th Street, the Golden Ears Bridge, and Lougheed Highway.

This BRT corridor is experiencing one of the fastest rates of population and job growth among all BRT corridors. It will provide a connection to the future Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension, and other key parts of the transit network, including: the R3 Lougheed Highway RapidBus, Carvolth Exchange and Park & Ride, improving access to Willowbrook and Langley Events Centre.

Metrotown – North Shore

Corridor length: 21 kilometres

The Metrotown – North Shore rapid transit corridor will connect major destinations such as Park Royal, Capilano Mall, Lower Lonsdale, Lower Lynn, Burnaby Heights, Brentwood, BCIT, and Metrotown. It will also improve connections to SkyTrain at Brentwood Town Centre on the Millennium Line and Metrotown Station on the Expo Line.

Recognizing the high transportation demand on this corridor, work has begun to extend the R2 Marine Drive RapidBus from Phibbs Exchange to Metrotown, providing a direct express connection between Burnaby and the North Shore. This will replace the limited, peak service 222 between Phibbs Exchange and Metrotown and provide all day service, higher capacity articulated buses, and enhanced stop amenities. For more information, visit the RapidBus page.

At the same time, an ultimate rapid transit connection will be determined through the Burrard Inlet Rapid Transit Program, which will plan for BRT and consider other rail alternatives. The study will evaluate technology, different route alignments, stop and station locations, and degree of roadway separation including options for a dedicated transit crossing of Burrard Inlet.


Resources

Reports

Contact Us

Please email the project team at brt@translink.ca if you have any question or comments about the Bus Rapid Transit Program.