Transit Options When Living in the Lower Mainland of BC

If you are buying a new home in British Columbia, there are many areas to choose from. One of the main up and coming regions of the western province of Canada is the lower mainland as it has the charm of being out of the downtown area, but also the convenience of Vancouver being close by.

There are many ways to get around the lower mainland from driving to the public transit system, which includes cycling routes and options, busses, SkyTrains, a train and water taxis. The transit service area covers 1800 square kilometers, and operates seven days a week, 18 – 20 hours per day on most routes.

There will also be the addition of a rapid transit line that will link Richmond, the Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver along Cambie to central Broadway, the downtown business district and Waterfront Station where the SeaBus and SkyTrain meet. The Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Line, or RAV Line, is to be 19.5 km long and will use 18 stations. This rapid transit line will run above and underground and will serve toward the continued improvement of the lower mainland’s transit system; easing the commute for many workers and tourists or residents alike.

Cycling can be the fastest way to get around in the more urban areas of Vancouver. TransLink has been working towards making cycling a more realistic travel option by providing bike access on transit systems, bike storage in strategic locations around the lower mainland and Vancouver, as well as planning and funding support for cycling routes and bikeways. Information on cycling options in Vancouver and the lower mainland can be found on the BC TransLink website.

The West Coast Express (WCE) is a commuter rail service that runs from Mission, through Port Haney, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Port Moody to downtown Vancouver. This service has proven itself to be efficient and convenient for many commuters and has become an effective alternative to driving for many BC residents who choose to live out of the downtown core. This service is not only quick and easy to use, but also showcases beautiful scenery as it runs its course. Since it’s opening in November 1995, it is estimated that more than 18 million riders have taken advantage of this fantastic alternative way of getting downtown; it is also estimated that there are 3,000 fewer cars on the road during weekday peak periods. The line is 68km long and has a 99% on-time record.

The SkyTrain service is not only the longest automated light transit system running 210 rail cars along 49 km of track, but it also moves 200,000 customers each day around the lower mainland and Vancouver. With trains running as often as every two minutes, connecting Surrey, New Westminster, Burnaby and Vancouver, it is easy to see why this method of transportation is so popular; conveniently located stations and affordable prices add to the accessibility of the SkyTrain service.

There are multiple bus stops spread all over the downtown area and lower mainland, making it reasonable for any commuter to take advantage of the service. The major bus routes operate every 10 minutes or better in peak periods and run to most areas around Vancouver and the lower mainland as well as all other transit locations. The Coast Mountain Bus is a bus service integrated with rapid transit, marine services and commuter rail making travel easier for the continually rising number of customers.

The SeaBus Passenger Ferry service consists of two catamaran ferries with a 400-passenger capacity and makes the trip between downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver in 12 minutes. This service connects with busses, SkyTrain, and the West Coast Express in Vancouver and a network of busses in North Vancouver. Waterfront Station in Vancouver and Londsdale Quay on the North Shore are where the two terminals for this service are located making them easily accessible to any customer. The two vehicle ferries that make up the Albion Car Ferry offer frequent and free service from Maple Ridge on the north side of the Fraser river to the south side of the river in Langley.

The BC TransLink website, www.translink.bc.ca, is a quick and informative way of getting any transit information you may require from bus schedules to trip planning, fares and zones to cycling options. This resource is generally accurate and user friendly and can greatly assist you with your travelling plans.

Your choice to live in the lower mainland of BC will leave you with the best of both worlds – a home away from the hustle and bustle of the city, with the convenience of being able to commute with little hassle. With the constant improvements to the transit system in the lower mainland and Vancouver, commuting into and away from the city will continue to change to better suit the needs of the residents of this area, making the city and the suburbs equally accessible.

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