TransLink opens online shop

Have you ever wished for a water bottle, coffee mug or even a throw pillow that reflects Metro Vancouver’s transit system?

You’re in luck. On Tuesday, TransLink is launching its online merchandise store at translinkstore.ca.

“The idea came from our customers, originally,” said TransLink spokeswoman Jill Drews. “It’s something we get requests for regularly.”

Drews said TransLink looked at what other agencies around North America, such as the Toronto Transit Commission, are doing before coming up with its own products.

For instance, posters, T-shirts, water bottles and mugs feature a list of Vancouver bus-route names that were featured on bus blinds. Before buses had digital destination signs, route names were printed on a long roll and drivers had to turn a crank to change the destination displayed.

The transit-system map is also displayed on shower curtains, pillows, pencil cases and phone cases.

“We just wanted to take it further than a white mug with a TransLink logo on it,” Drews said.

Drews said the idea is to promote pride in the transit system and the region, rather than TransLink itself. “You won’t see the word TransLink on any of these items,” she said.

The store is run by SVS Marketing, which has a licensing deal with TransLink. Drews said this means there is little or no cost to taxpayers and any profits will be reinvested in the transit system.

For those who want to see the products before they buy, TransLink will host a pop-up shop at Gilmore SkyTrain Station Dec. 6-8.