Transit had the best day with you, as over 1.9 million transit trips taken system-wide

It was the end of an era, but transit took centre stage as TransLink hit a major ridership milestone this past weekend. With over 1.9 million journeys taken across all transit modes from Friday, Dec. 6 to Sunday, Dec. 8 — the days of the Taylor Swift concerts at BC Place — there was no blank space in sight on board services.

SkyTrain’s Stadium–Chinatown Station experienced record-breaking numbers with its three highest days of ridership since Compass data was available in 2017.

Sunday saw crowds on transit go wild with 516,000 journeys recorded, making it the highest Sunday ridership recorded for a non-holiday weekend*, placing it among the busiest Sundays on record — only behind holiday weekends such as Canada Day and BC Day in 2018 and 2019.

With multiple events happening in the area, customers knew all too well the importance of transit to get around Vancouver. Stadium–Chinatown Station marked its highest recorded three-day ridership, with total daily boardings at the station soaring to:

• 33,500 on Friday; an 119 per cent increase over recent comparable Fridays
• 27,500 on Saturday; a 98 per cent increase over recent comparable Saturdays
• 28,000 on Sunday; an 131 per cent increase over recent comparable Sundays

SeaBus ridership also surged, about 70,000 boardings over the three days; a 64 per cent increase compared to recent weekends.

Adding to the weekend’s accomplishments, the Rogers West Coast Express, a special “midnight” train, carried 1,200 passengers, offering a convenient transportation option for riders from Mission to Waterfront Station.

In anticipation of the massive demand for transit use during Taylor Swift concert days, TransLink was ready for it and added:

• 108 special “Swift” shuttle buses to help manage the high passenger volumes;
• SkyTrain frequency was increased so that trains were departing every two to two and half minutes during the peak of post-concert crowds;
• SeaBus was running on a 10-minute schedule throughout the evening on each day.

“It’s great to see so many people choosing transit to attend these special events, the atmosphere on transit was electric and full of excitement,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “These numbers highlight the region’s growing reliance on public transit, and I want to thank all transit employees for their tireless efforts to ensure a safe and positive experience for our customers.”

The record-breaking weekend provides one last souvenir: proof of the region’s increasing demand for transit. TransLink’s Access for Everyone plan proposes service expansion to address growing ridership needs, including:

• 25% increase in SeaBus service with extended hours to match SkyTrain
• 10% increase to Expo and Millennium Lines service to reduce crowding
• 65% increase to Canada Line service to reduce crowding and greater off-peak convenience
• More than doubling bus service levels to reduce wait times, overcrowding and extend service hours
• Up to nine new traffic-separated Bus Rapid Transit lines
• Expand West Coast Express capacity to meet demand on all five trains.

However, these plans require additional funding. TransLink is actively working with the Mayors’ Council and senior levels of government to secure funding for the plan to meet the needs of the region.

*since Compass data became available in 2017.