TransLink beefing up several key bus routes

Bus riders will receive a nice gift from Santa this holiday season in the form of winter service changes to routes across Metro Vancouver.

Starting this week and on Jan. 1, a dozen bus routes will receive permanent improvements, while seven others will receive regular schedule adjustments. Highlights include: Increasing service at busy times ■ for the 5, 6, 319, 323, 351, 555 and 95 B-Line to reduce overcrowding.

Increasing service for the 128, ■

130, 337, C5 and C7 to reduce waiting times.

Increasing service on weekends ■ for the 99 B-Line, the busiest bus route in Metro Vancouver.

Splitting the current 106 route ■ into two. A revised 106 will travel between New Westminster and Edmonds stations, and a new 119 will go between Edmonds and Metrotown.

Increasing service hours for the ■

372, 733 and 741.

Increasing service hours for the ■

N35 NightBus to provide roundthe-clock service along the Hastings corridor when combined with the 95 B-Line.

Launching all-door boarding for ■ the 95 and 96 B-Lines.

The changes are part of the first phase of the mayors’ 10-year vision for Metro Vancouver transportation, along with the addition of more than 210,000 bus service hours this year.

Also of note, the two-week holiday schedule is in effect Dec. 18 to 31. The schedule reflects lower ridership on routes serving schools and post-secondary institutions. Regular service resumes Jan. 1, 2018.

Special schedules will be in place for many routes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. Free transit will once again be offered on New Year’s Eve.