We welcomed the sixth RapidBus line — the R6 Scott Road RapidBus — the same time we welcomed the year 2024. It first ran on a holiday schedule on January 1 before officially launching on January 2, accelerating bus trips on Scott Road by up to eight minutes each direction.

It was the beginning of something more.

• More ridership: Within the first six months, the R6 was averaging 19,000 daily boardings. Since launch, ridership along the Scott Road corridor has increased by 1.5 million annual boardings compared to 2023. This is proof that when transit is fast, reliable, and convenient, people choose to ride.
• More reliable and faster service: The Scott Road corridor now has bus priority measures which include:
  • 8.8 km of bus priority lanes,
  • four queue jump lanes,
  • optimized stop spacing, and
  • a centre-median lane and bus stop at a major intersection for smoother boardings.

The 13 other routes along the corridor, like the 319 Newton Exchange/Scott Road Station, also benefit from upgrades like the dedicated bus lanes.

• More capacity: Riders of the R6 RapidBus ride on 60-foot articulated buses that can carry more than 100 passengers, providing 20 per cent more capacity compared to a 40-foot bus!
• More features: Includes real-time info displays, all-door boardings, improved bus shelters, and accessibility features like tactile walking surface indicators and audio announcements. The route also features public art installations by local artists, which add vibrancy to the corridor.

Because of its success, the R6 RapidBus earned the Bill Curtis Award for Outstanding Transportation Project from the Greater Vancouver chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). The award recognizes the collaboration, innovation, and quality-of-life improvements the R6 has delivered since its launch.

The R6 has proven that well-planned investments in transit infrastructure can have a powerful impact in moving more people, reducing congestion, and making our communities more connected and sustainable.

With six RapidBus lines delivered in just seven years, Metro Vancouver is setting the pace for fast, efficient bus service in North America.

Here’s to the R6 and more bus priority across Metro Vancouver!