Coast Mountain Bus Company
Area served | Metro Vancouver, BC |
Founded | April 1, 1999 (from BC Transit) |
Fleet size | 1359 (Conventional Bus) ~205 (Community Shuttle) 3 (SeaBus) |
Number of routes | 218 (Bus) 1 (SeaBus) |
Annual ridership | 236 million (2015) |
Union | Unifor Local 111 (Operators) Unifor Local 2200 (Mechanics) |
Coast Mountain Bus Company, an operating subsidiary of TransLink, provides bus and SeaBus service in the Metro Vancouver area. The company commenced service on April 1, 1999 when the Vancouver Regional Transit System was split from BC Transit, thus creating CMBC.
Overview and History
The Coast Mountain Bus Company was formed on April 1, 1999 when the Greater Vancouver division of BC Transit was split from the rest of the BC Transit network. Before its current name, it was called "BusLink" for 9 months during transition into TransLink.
Coast Mountain Bus Company provides service in all 21 municipalities that make up Metro Vancouver (the former Greater Vancouver area). These are: Anmore, Belcarra, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, City of Langley, Township of Langley, Lions Bay, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and White Rock.
Vancouver Trolley Crisis
Shortly after the delivery of the New Flyer E40LFRs, the company experienced a major shortage after a power steering malfunction affected several of the new units. As a result, 65 units were pulled out of service and several units from other garages were transferred to Vancouver Transit Centre. In addition, a handful that had been retired were sent to the garages that had donated units. 2 Orion Vs from Central Fraser Valley Transit System, and 2 Orion Is from Chilliwack Transit System were also brought over.
September 2009 Service Changes
With the introduction of the Canada Line, express routes ("400-series") were canceled. This, in turn, allowed TransLink to reallocate various resources (units, service hours) to other routes such as increasing frequency on routes such as 351, 601, 401, and 410.
Services
Coast Mountain Bus Company operates most bus routes across Metro Vancouver. West Vancouver operates its own municipal transit service and a select number of Community Shuttle routes are contracted out.
Service is provided using a large fleet of conventional diesel, compressed natural gas, and electric trolleybuses, in addition to Community Shuttles.
Coast Mountain Bus Company's services are:
- Regular transit service
- Suburban express transit service
- Trolleybus service in the City of Vancouver (with one route extending to Burnaby)
- B-Line, an express bus service
- Community Shuttle, a minibus service that connects areas that have a lower demand for buses
- NightBus, a late-night bus service that runs after midnight up until early morning
- SeaBus, a passenger ferry service
B-Line
The B-Line service is a system of express bus routes using low-floor articulated buses. B-Line routes have bus rapid transit elements and run frequent service for most of the day, seven days a week. All B-Line routes as of January 1, 2018 feature all-door boarding at all stops.
The first B-Line route, the 99, was introduced in September 1996 and went from the University of British Columbia to Lougheed Mall in Burnaby via Broadway Station and Brentwood Mall along Broadway and Lougheed Highway. B-Line routes were later introduced along other major corridors in the new millennium with the 98 B-Line in September 2000 and the 97 B-Line in September 2002.
B-Line Routes
There are three B-Line routes in service:
The 95 is the newest that connects Simon Fraser University in Burnaby with Burrard Station in downtown Vancouver along Hastings Street.
The 96 is a major arterial route operating in Surrey, connecting Guildford Exchange and Newton Exchange with the Expo Line at Surrey Central Station and King George Station. There are plans to replace it with a light rail line along the same route, but plans have yet to be finalized.
The 99 is a major arterial route connecting the University of British Columbia and Commercial–Broadway Station in Vancouver and is the busiest route in the system. There are plans to replace a portion of the route with SkyTrain service by extending the Millennium Line to Arbutus Street.
Discontinued B-Line Routes
- 97 B-Line: Connected Lougheed Station and Coquitlam Station. Service replaced in 2016 with the Evergreen Extension and following re-organization of bus routes within the tri-cities area.
- 98 B-Line: Connected Burrard Station and Richmond Centre via Airport Station. Service was replaced in 2009 with the Canada Line
Proposed B-Line Routes
Route numbers yet to be determined excluding the 41st Avenue B-Line:
- North Shore: Connecting Dundarave and Park Royal in West Vancouver with Phibbs Exchange in North Vancouver, running every 15 minutes off-peak and every 10 during peak hours
- 91 B-Line: will run on 41st Avenue connecting Joyce–Collingwood Station to the University of British Columbia, running every 10 to 15 minutes off-peak and every 5 minutes during peak hours[1]
- Fraser Highway: Connecting Surrey Central Station and King George Station with Langley Centre, running every 15 minutes off-peak and every 8 minutes during peak hours
- Lougheed Highway: Connecting Coquitlam Central Station and Haney Place, running every 15 minutes
- Scott Road: Service from Scott Road Station along Scott Road to Scottsdale Exchange, 72nd Avenue to Newton Exchange.
- Metrotown–Richmond: Metrotown Station to Brighouse Station via 49th Avenue, Knight Street, Bridgeport Road and Garden City Way
Community Shuttle
The Community Shuttle is a minibus service offered by TransLink and operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company, with a select number of routes operated by a private contractor. Introduced in September 2000, the Community Shuttle was a cost-effective solution to providing bus service on routes that had low ridership and were expensive to operate. The Community Shuttle service maintains transit coverage while operating a smaller vehicle with lowered costs and serves as a method of traffic calming in quiet, residential areas. Initially introduced in the Burnaby Heights area, the Community Shuttle service has expanded to operate in every city in Metro Vancouver, both as a replacement for low performing routes and as new service in communities that lacked transit service.
Community Shuttle routes are identifiable with the letter C in front of the route number. However, some routes such as the 23 Main Street Station/Beach and the 609 South Delta Exchange/Tsawwassen First Nation do not have the letter C in its route number, but are Community Shuttle routes. Some Community Shuttle routes are also converting to new route numbers and dropping the C prefix.
NightBus
Covering more ground than three SkyTrain lines, the NightBus service provides overnight coverage for all three SkyTrain lines and major corridors. NightBus routes meet in downtown Vancouver and operate about every 30 minutes or better, seven days a week.
NightBus routes are identifiable with the letter N in front of the route number. On maps and signage, they are marked with a dark shade of blue.
During the BC Transit era, the NightBus service was referred to as "Owl" routes, with route numbers and names remaining the same. The Owl term was used up until 2001, when Owl routes were cut due to a funding shortfall. In 2004, the Owl service resumed and was branded as NightBus.
In total, there are ten NightBus routes:
- N8 Fraser/Downtown NightBus
- N9 Coquitlam Central Station/Downtown NightBus
- N10 Richmond–Brighouse Station/Downtown NightBus
- N15 Cambie/Downtown NightBus
- N17 UBC/Downtown NightBus
- N19 Surrey Central Station/Downtown NightBus
- N20 Victoria/Downtown NightBus
- N22 MacDonald/Downtown NightBus
- N24 Lynn Valley/Downtown NightBus
- N35 SFU/Downtown NightBus
SeaBus
Main article: SeaBus
Introduced in 1977, the SeaBus is a passenger ferry service that connects Waterfront Station in Vancouver and Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver across the Burrard Inlet with a crossing time of about 10 to 12 minutes. Service operates seven days a week and every 15 minutes for most of the day and every 30 in the early morning and late evening.
Current fleet summary
As of 1996, all conventional units (except trolleys) are numbered in the "permanent" numbering system, with the first letter in the fleet number denoting its garage. However, the "T" prefix is not used to identify the garage it runs out of; it is instead used to identify vehicles that are used specifically for training purposes.
The first 2 numbers for 2012 or later units denote the order year. Though some inconsistencies arise during a transfer, the prefix is usually fixed weeks after.
- B - Burnaby
- H - Hamilton
- P - Port Coquitlam
- R - Richmond
- S - Surrey*
- V - Vancouver
- T - Training Vehicle*
*The S prefix was also used on older Community Shuttles to denote "shuttle."
*The T prefix was also used on older HandyDART vehicles.
As of 2008, all units are equipped with a voice announcement system to aid those visually impaired and unfamiliar with the region. This also allows operators to drive without having to make announcements. GPS technology is used to detect a unit's location in relation to its next stop.
Demonstrator Units
Fleet number(s) |
Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Destination sign | A/C? | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1008-1009 | [[File:Example.jpg]] | 2014 | Alexander Dennis | Enviro500 | Cummins ISL9 | Allison B500R | Luminator Titan | Yes |
|
Conventional Bus
Trolleybus
Vancouver is the last city in Canada to operate trolleybuses in revenue service as of May 2009.
Fleet number(s) |
Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Motor | Destination sign | A/C? | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2101-2199, 2201-2289 |
2005-2007 | NFI | E40LF
|
Škoda 19 ML 3550 K/4 |
Luminator Horizon | No |
| |
2501-2540 | 2007-2008 | NFI | E60LFR | Škoda 19 ML 3550 K/4 |
Luminator Horizon | No | ||
2541-2574 | 2009 | NFI | E60LFR | Škoda 19 ML 3550 K/4 |
Luminator Horizon | No |
|
On Order
Fleet number(s) |
Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Destination sign | A/C? | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(106) | 2017/2018 | NFI | XN40 | Cummins Westport L9N | ZF 6AP1400B | Luminator Horizon | Yes | [3] | |
(52) | 2017/2018 | NFI | XDE60 | Cummins L9 | Luminator Horizon | Yes | [4] | ||
(2) | 2018 | Nova Bus | LFSe | TM4 SUMO HD | Yes | $7 million funding for a trial of 4 electric buses approved by Metro Vancouver Board Of Directors [5] [6] | |||
(2) | 2018 | NFI | XE40 | Siemens ELFA2 | Yes | ||||
(32) | 2019 | Alexander Dennis | Double Decker | Yes | [7] |
Community Shuttle
Fleet number(s) |
Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Destination sign | A/C? | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S302-S356 | 2008 | GMC/ElDorado | C5500/Aero Elite | GMC Duramax 6.6L | Allison 1000 with Telma retarder | Luminator Horizon | No |
| |
S501-S544 | 2014 | Chevrolet/ElDorado | G4500/Aerotech | GM Vortec V8 6.0L gasoline | Yes |
| |||
S1305-S1307, S1310-S1315 | 2013-2014 | Chevrolet/ElDorado | G4500/Aerotech | GM Vortec V8 6.0L gasoline | Yes |
| |||
S1321 | 2013 | Chevrolet/Girardin | G4500/G5 | Yes |
| ||||
S1322-S1325 | 2014 | Chevrolet/ElDorado | G4500/Aerotech | GM Vortec V8 6.0L gasoline | Yes |
| |||
16501-16562 | 2016 | Chevrolet/Girardin | G4500/G5 | GM Vortec V8 6.0L gasoline | Yes | ||||
17506-17569 | 2017 | Chevrolet/Girardin | G4500/G5 | GM Vortec V8 6.0L gasoline | Yes |
|
SeaBus
Coast Mountain Bus Company also operates 3 passenger ferries known as the SeaBus. Beginning operation in 1977, the 2-zone service connects Waterfront in Vancouver and Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. Service is 15 minutes daily and every 30 minutes at night and on early weekends/holidays. The crossing takes around 12 minutes and also offers a vast selection of scenery from multiple angles on the Burrard Inlet.
Name | Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Burrard Beaver | 1976 | Yarrows Shipbuilders Ltd. Victoria, BC |
||
Burrard Pacific Breeze | 2009 | Victoria Shipyards Victoria, BC |
| |
Burrard Otter II | 2014 | Damen Shipyards Group Singapore |
|
On Order
Name | Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
(TBA) | 2017 | Damen Shipyards Group Gorinchem, Netherlands |
|
Retired, Leased and Demonstrator Fleet Summary (Incomplete)
Conventional Bus
Fleet number(s) |
Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Destination sign | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1001-1002 | 2005 | Nova Bus | LFS | Cummins ISL | ZF 5HP552C | Axion Orange LED |
| |
1003 | 2005 | Orion | 07.501 HEV | Cummins ISB | BAE Systems HybriDrive | Luminator Horizon |
| |
1007 | 2016 | BYD | K9 |
| ||||
1158-1192 | 1982 | Flyer | D901A | Detroit Diesel 6V71N | Allison V730 | Rollsign |
| |
1205-1208, 1211-1223 | 1979 | Flyer | D800B (9635-6) |
Detroit Diesel 6V71N
|
Allison V730 |
| ||
1209-1210 | 1980 | Flyer | D800B (9635-6) |
Detroit Diesel 6V71N
|
Allison V730 |
| ||
3001-3021 | 1991 | NFI | D60 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison HTB-748 | Rollsign |
| |
3101-3199, 3201-3210 |
1991 | NFI | D40 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison HTB-748 | Luminator Super:MAX | ||
3211-3257 | 1992 | NFI | D40 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison HTB-748 | Luminator Super Matrix:MAX |
| |
3258-3282 | 1995 | NFI | C40 | Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Allison B400R | Luminator Super Matrix:MAX |
| |
4101-4115 | 1982 | GMDD | T6H-5307N | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison V730 | Rollsign |
| |
4116-4143 | 1987 | GMDD | TC40-102N | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison V731 | Rollsign |
| |
4144-4192 | 1989 | MCI | TC40-102N | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison V731 | Rollsign |
| |
4193-4199, 4201-4278 |
1990 | MCI | TC40-102N | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Voith D863.3ADR | Rollsign | ||
5501-5508 | 1973 | GMDD | T6H-4523N | Detroit Diesel 6V71N | Allison V730 | Rollsign | ||
5509-5521 | 1976 | GMDD | T6H-4523N | Detroit Diesel 6V71N | Allison V730 | Rollsign | ||
8606, 8608 | 1990 | OBI | Orion V (05.501) | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison HTB-748 |
| ||
6715 | 1992 | OBI | Orion I 01.507 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Voith D863.3 |
| ||
6784 | 1989 | OBI | Orion I 01.507 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison HTB-748 |
| ||
7244-7246 | 1996 | NFI | F40LF | Cummins ISB | GM-Allison EP40 hybrid system |
Luminator Super Matrix:MAX |
| |
7298 | 1998 | Nova Bus | LFS | Cummins C8.3 | Allison B400R5 | Luminator MegaMax | ||
2008 | Nova Bus | LFS | Cummins ISL |
| ||||
"SR1420" | 2009 | NFI | XDE40 | Cummins ISL | GM-Allison EP40 hybrid system |
Trolleybus
Fleet number(s) |
Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Motor | Destination sign | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2701-2947 | 1982-1983 | Flyer | E901A/E902 | General Electric | Rollsign | All retired from revenue service in March 2008
|
Community Shuttle
Fleet number(s) |
Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Destination sign | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S001-S002 | 2000 | Ford/Corbeil | E-350/minibus | Ford Powerstroke 7.3L | Ford 4R100 | None | ||
S002 (1st) | 1992 | Ford/Professional | E-350 | International IDI 7.3L | Ford 4R100 | None |
| |
S002 (2nd) | 2002 | Ford/Girardin | E-350/MBC-II | Ford Powerstroke 7.3L | Ford 4R100 | None | ||
S003-S004 | 2003 | Ford/Goshen | E-550/GC II 5500 | Ford Powerstroke 7.3L | Ford 4R100 | Unknown LED |
| |
S006 - S012 | 2002 | Ford/CBB | E-450/Polar V | Ford Powerstroke 7.3L | Ford 4R100 with Telma retarder |
Luminator Horizon | ||
S013-S017 | 2002 | Ford/CBB | E-450/Polar V | Ford Powerstroke 7.3L | Ford 4R100 with Telma retarder |
Luminator Horizon | ||
S018-S056 | 2003 | Ford/CBB | E-450/Polar V | Ford Powerstroke 7.3L | Ford 4R100 with Telma retarder |
Luminator Horizon | ||
S057-S059 | 1996-1997 | Ford/Champion | E-450/Challenger | Ford Powerstroke 7.3L | Ford 4R100 | Rollsign | ||
S060-S061 | 1997 | Ford/Champion | E-450/Challenger | Ford Powerstroke 7.3L | Ford 4R100 | Rollsign |
| |
S062-S102 | 2004 | Ford/CBB | E-450/Polar V | Ford Powerstroke 6.0L | Ford TorqShift 5R110 with Telma retarder |
Luminator Horizon | ||
S200-S236 | 2005 | GMC/ElDorado | C5500/Aero Elite | GMC Duramax 6.6L | Allison 1000 with Telma retarder |
Luminator Horizon | ||
S237-S257 | 2006 | GMC/ElDorado | C5500/Aero Elite | GMC Duramax 6.6L | Allison 1000 with Telma retarder |
Luminator Horizon | ||
S258-S301 | 2007 | GMC/ElDorado | C5500/Aero Elite | GMC Duramax 6.6L | Allison 1000 with Telma retarder | Luminator Horizon |
| |
S357-S380 | 2009 | GMC/ElDorado | C5500/Aero Elite | GMC Duramax 6.6L | Allison 1000 with Telma retarder | Luminator Horizon | ||
S381 | 2011 | Chevrolet/ElDorado | G4500/Aerotech | GM Vortec V8 6.0L gasoline |
| |||
S382-S393 | 2012 | Chevrolet/ElDorado | G4500/Aerotech | GM Vortec V8 6.0L gasoline | ||||
S400 | 2010 | GMC/Arboc | G4500/SOM28D | GMC Duramax 6.6L |
| |||
S410-S434 | 2012 | IC Bus | AC Series | International MaxxForce 7 | Allison 1000 Series | Luminator Horizon |
| |
S435-S464 | 2013 | IC Bus | AC Series | International MaxxForce 7 | Allison 1000 Series | Luminator Horizon | ||
S465-S471 | 2014 | IC Bus | AC Series | International MaxxForce 7 | Allison 1000 Series | Luminator Horizon | ||
7130 (II) | 2009 | Yaxing | JS6830GHDP |
|
SeaBus
Name | Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Burrard Otter | 1976 | Burrard Dry Dock Ltd. Vancouver |
|
External links
- Coast Mountain Bus Company (Wikipedia)
- Official Coast Mountain Bus Company Website
- TransLink Website
Photo galleries
- BusShots (Chris Cassidy & Laura Wilby)
- Trans-Vancouver (David Lam & George Prior)
- Vancouver Transit Gallery (Bill Wong)
- TransLink Photos (Josh Novosad)
- Neopas's Gallery - Transit in British Columbia (neopasturquoise)
- Dennis's Gallery (Dennis Tsang)
- BusPics (Ernest Ng, William Chen, Elfren Ordanza, Christian Ordanza, Jimmy Yang)
- Express691 Flickr (Juan Sanchez)
Websites/blogs
- Buzzer Blog (Jhenifer Pabillano)
- Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board: Metro Vancouver Section
- Canada Line Photography (Tafyrn and Seamora Palecloud)
References
- ↑ UBC Area TransitPlan, translink.ca, retrieved 17-01-2018
- ↑ http://buzzer.translink.ca/2017/11/translink-launches-double-decker-bus-pilot-project/, retrieved 12-21-2017
- ↑ BC’s TransLink places firm order for an additional 106 buses with New Flyer, newflyer.com, retrieved 20-11-2017
- ↑ December 14 2017 Open Board Meeting Report (Page 8), translink.ca, retrieved 09-12-2017
- ↑ TransLink Open Board Meeting, June 23, 2017. Dated June 23, 2017, retrieved on August 18, 2017.
- ↑ Canada Sets the Course with Zero Emission Demonstration Trial, masstransitmag.com, retrieved 18-08-2017
- ↑ Fleet of 32 double-decker buses for Vancouver, globalnews.ca, retrieved 17-01-2018
- ↑ The Buzzer June 6, 1991 Issue, retrieved 15-11-2017
- ↑ https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/pts/d/ford-e350-hood/6367499491.html
- ↑ https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/pts/d/ford-e350-fender/6367476796.html
- ↑ Bus Drivers sick from exhaust fumes from Navistar Shuttles, cbc.ca, retrieved 15-09-2015
- ↑ TransLink to replace diesel buses that made people feel ill, Vancouversun.com, retrieved 2015-11-01