That’s right, the Reindeer Bus (aka: 9543) has saddled up and is ready to spread some holiday cheer throughout the region. The Reindeer Bus operates out of Vancouver Transit Centre (VTC), so expect to see it on Vancouver streets as soon as tomorrow!

Operating out of Port Coquitlam Transit Centre (PTC) is the Reindeer Bus’s little brother, the Reindeer Shuttle (aka: 16562)! The elves over at PTC are still decking the halls, but hope to have have this special shuttle servicing Tri-Cities routes as soon as December 1!

For more than 30 years, staff from Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) have been dressing up one bus and one community shuttle during the holiday season. This initiative began just after the very first Toys for Tots charity drive back in 1985, and every year since, TransLink enterprise employees have committed to donating new unwrapped toys and money for the less fortunate during the holiday season.

Donations are collected from each transit centre, TransLink Lost Property as well as HQs for TransLink, CMBC, BCRTC and Transit Police. Just before Christmas, we load the Reindeer Bus with all the donated toys and deliver it to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.

These decorated vehicles spread the holiday cheer throughout Metro Vancouver, surprising passengers with a unique ride! Santa, Mrs. Claus and Sparky the bus-operating elf have been known to periodically visit the bus, stopping at mystery stops!

Keep your eyes peeled around town and at community holiday events for the Reindeer Bus and Shuttle. Want to know where to find it ahead of time? Our friends over on Twitter will try their best to tweet out Reindeer Bus and Shuttle’s route information so you can hop on!

Snap a picture of the Reindeer Bus or Shuttle? Share your photos on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #ReindeerBus or email thebuzzer@translink.ca so we can share!

Author: Sarah Kertcher