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Public Transit

 
The majority of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector come from car and truck traffic. Leaving your vehicle at home and taking public transit has an immediate and direct impact on greenhouse gas emissions. By getting just 40 vehicles off the road (the amount of people who will fit in one city bus), we can save over 10,000 litres of fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 tonnes each year.

BC's Provincial Transit Plan has set a goal of doubling transit ridership by increasing travel choices for people around the province with new fleets, green technology, new rapid transit lines and new innovative services like RapidBus BC. By 2020, 4.7 million tonnes of emissions and air contaminants can be avoided by doubling transit ridership across BC.

Transit Tips

Taking the bus can be a convenient and affordable way to travel to and from work, and to get around your community. Listed below are a few tips to get you started and to make sure your trip is enjoyable. For more information, please contact your local transit agency. 

Bus Fares and Transfers

• Fares can always be purchased on the bus with exact change. In some larger communities, fares vary based on how many "zones" you're travelling. Contact your local transit office for the current fares in your community.
• In some communities, bus tickets (one-time tickets, day passes, books of 10 or 20, and monthly passes) can be purchased at drug, convenience and grocery stores at a discount from the regular fare. These tickets are convenient and reduce the amount of change you have to carry around.
• Transfers allow users to switch bus routes to get to their final destination without paying multiple fares. Transfers are time limited, usually up to two hours. Most transfers are a separate ticket available on request from the bus driver at the start of your trip. In Metro Vancouver, the ticket you receive at the start of your journey also acts as your transfer.
• The federal government offers a tax credit for monthly and annual bus passes. For more information on how to receive the credit please visit: Tax credits for public transit passes.

On the Bus

• Have your fare ready when you get on the bus or be ready to display your entire monthly or daily pass to the driver.
• Note that priority seating at the front of the bus is designated for people with disabilities, passengers with children in strollers and seniors. Please respect the priority seating designations, and be prepared to move if the driver asks you to.
• To request a stop while riding the bus please press one of the stop buttons located on support poles, pressure strips or hanging chords. This will alert the driver of your desire to get off at the next stop.
• If you have any safety concerns for yourself or other passengers, please alert the bus driver. 
• Exit by the rear door when possible. After leaving the bus, wait until the bus pulls away and you have a clear view of any oncoming traffic before you cross the street.

Practical Tips

• Bicycles: Public buses in the province are now equipped with bike racks located on the front of the bus. You can also take your bicycle on the SeaBus, the West Coast Express and through most SkyTrain stations in Metro Vancouver.
• Park n’ Ride: Many transit system offer ‘Park n’ Ride’ points where drivers can park their cars and commute by transit.
• Accessibility: All buses in the Greater Vancouver area are now wheelchair accessible, and the majority of routes in other communities around the province offer wheelchair-accessible buses.
• Pets: Certified assistance animals may use transit services. Other transit systems generally restrict pets travelling on the bus.
• Lost and Found: If you find something on the bus, give it to the driver, who will deliver it to Lost and Found. If you have lost something on the bus, please contact your local transit system.

Bus Schedules

• Schedules for your local transit system are available online for transit users to plan their trips. You can find schedules at BC Transit outside Metro Vancouver or at TransLink within Metro Vancouver. Note that during holidays and weekends, schedules may change.
• Customer service agents will be able to tell you the best route to take based on your starting point and destination. Commuters in the Metro Vancouver area can also use the TransLink Trip Planner.

You can obtain detailed information on hours and days of service, routes, and fares for a specific community at the website listed for each community listed below.