The Buzzer has been published for more than 100 years! It’s one of the oldest publications in Metro Vancouver. In Back Issues, we comb through our archives for some historical finds.

The Aug. 23, 1996 issue of The Buzzer was focused on Fall Service Changes, which happens quarterly and allows us to update schedules to put service where customers need it most. The highlight for Fall Service Changes in 1996 was the introduction of the 99 B-Line.

This new service would operate between the Lougheed Mall and the University of British Columbia (UBC). Following the Millennium Line’s opening in 2002, the 99 B-Line was shortened to operate between Broadway Station (renamed Commercial–Broadway Station in 2009) and UBC.

While our region today is familiar with B-Line service, it was new then and naturally there was a lot of information on how this new service will work:

Beginning September 3
99 B-Line
Take the sting out of traffic by making a 99 B-Line across the Broadway/Lougheed corridor!

BC Transit Is pleased to introduce the 99 B-Line,  a new, faster, Monday through Saturday transit service with limited stops, connecting Lougheed Mall and UBC.

From east and west the 99 B-Line will travel along the Lougheed/Broadway corridor in about one hour, with stops at Austin, Brentwood Mall*, Boundary, Broadway Station, Cambie, Willow, Granville, Macdonald and Alma.

*(Westbound buses stop at Halifax & Willingdon; eastbound buses at Lougheed & Willingdon).

Most stops are major transfer points, so that 99 B-Line passengers will have good connections with other routes and services.

This new service will naturally be most beneficial to passengers travelling longer distances: those taking shorter trips can choose the 99 B-Line or continue to use existing transit services.

Frequencies: Passengers should check the timetable for service frequencies. All buses will not travel the entire route and frequencies can vary between stops. For instance, during rush hours, the service will operate at approximately 15-minute intervals, but the frequency between UBC and Granvflle will be about 10 minutes.

Board or disembark at any of the specified stops. Unlike other express services that only pick-up or drop-off at particular stops, you can get on or off at any of the B-Line stops along the route. And all 99 B-Line stops are clearly identified on designated BC Transit bus stop signs; you won’t have trouble finding them…just look for the Bee!

Peak-period fares: Westbound passengers can ride to the bus stop on the farside of Boundary Rd for a One Zone fare from Burnaby (Fare Zone 2) and a Two Zone fare from Coquitlam (Zone 3). Passengers transferring to the #28 N/B or S/B will not pay an add-fare. Those transferring to the #9 or continuing into Vancouver (Fare Zone 1) will pay the appropriate fare or add-fare. Those boarding at Boundary Rd arc in Fare Zone 1. Eastbound passengers can ride to the bus stop on the farside of Boundary Rd for a One Zone fare. Those transferring to the #28 N/B or S/B will not pay an add-fare. Those continuing into Burnaby will pay the appropriate fare. Those boarding at Boundary Road are in Fare Zone 2.

Today, the 99 B-Line is widely recognized as the busiest bus route in Canada and the United States. During peak hours, buses operate every 3-4 minutes and every 5-6 minutes throughout the rest of the day.