TransLink is increasing bus services in Richmond and across Metro Vancouver in Burnaby to "prepare for changing travel patterns" with the new school year approaching in two weeks.
This includes increasing Richmond's 430 bus route, between Brighouse and Metrotown stations, by three-minutes during peak hours on weekdays. The bus route will operate at 12-minute intervals instead of 15-minutes starting Sept. 5.
"Our public transit system is a more affordable option than driving, especially for students, seniors, people with mobility issues and those on low or fixed incomes," said Chris Gindhu, president of CUPE 4500.
Gindhu represents 194 workers with the Coast Mountain Bus Company in the Lower Mainland and 29 BC Transit workers in the Capital Regional District.
“Encouraging more people to use transit is also good for the environment because it eases congestion in our roadways and reduces the impact of climate change. So, if you want to save money and reduce your commute while making a difference for the environment, try transit!”
Meanwhile, there is still no sign that the Richmond route 480 bus will return since it was suspended indefinitely by TransLink at the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020.
A spokesperson with TransLink previously told the News that the 480 route remains suspended as it allows the transit authority to “put service where it’s needed most – on overcrowded routes," adding that the specific route in Richmond wasn't particularly busy even prior to the pandemic.
Richmond's 480 bus route, which began in 1979 and operated from Bridgeport Station to UBC, allowed commuters to take a single bus to to their destination without transferring to other modes of transportation.
"With the start of classes, TransLink is not providing real return to the Pre-COVID transit services," said Nathan Davidowicz, a longtime transit advocate, in an email to the News.
TransLink adjusts transportation service levels every three months according to changing "demand and travel patterns" in Metro Vancouver.
-with files from Kirsten Clarke.
