After an incredible summer in Metro Vancouver, the time has come to head back to class and hit the books!

It’s not so bad, heading back to school means new friends, new opportunities, and another year towards graduation. And we’ve got better transit service for your commute as we all get back in our routines.

Fall Service Changes mean that we’re bringing back more service to post-secondary schools. We’re also permanently adding more frequent service on 53 bus routes across Metro Vancouver — made possible by the 2025 Investment Plan, which is delivering the largest increase in bus service since 2018.

Check out our top tips for your trips back to school below, and here’s to a brand-new school year, full of possibilities.

1. Plan your route in advance and don’t be late!

The stress at the beginning of the day of a new adventure (and transit commute) can be softened by knowing where you’ll be, by what time, and checking out the route beforehand.

This can be done with our Trip Planner. This tool allows you to enter in your starting point and destination. Next, it plans out a route taking you from A to B. It provides bus stop locations, route information, connections to make and tells you how long it will take. Leave a little extra time in your commute to accommodate any missteps along the way while you get used to the commute.

First impressions count, and planning in advance means you’re more likely to be on time, so be sure to do so!

2. Pack headphones

Turn your commute time into TV time — or podcast time, or music time, or doomscrolling time — by packing a pair of headphones. Use them when you get onto the bus or SkyTrain to catch up on your favourite shows, YouTube videos, or podcasts, including What’s the T: The TransLink Podcast. These also serve as double duty because you can use them while you study, to either listen to some focus music or simply, remain unapproachable in a sea of new students.

3. Have patience and be courteous

Remember, it’s likely that a lot of fellow riders are venturing out from their summer lazy days as well, so give them some patience and courtesy when navigating transit. Whether it’s your 100th trip to campus, or your first, try and be kind to your fellow riders where you can. You never know who might sit beside you on that first day – it could possibly be the guy you rolled your eyes at for tapping his Compass Card wrong. The first weeks of September are the busiest and people are getting used to their routine again (or in process of creating a new one).

4. Refresh your transit etiquette

Maybe you’ve spent the summer away from your typical transit routes, and it’s time for a transit etiquette refresher. We’ve got an extensive guide here if you wish to study it, but there’s no assigned reading here, only courtesy and common sense. Here’s a quick list of the transit etiquette tips that are most helpful during the back-to-school season.

• Remove your backpack to make more room on the bus and create a better space for others. Nothing will wake you up faster during the sleepy morning commute than a swift smack to the head by a backpack, but it’s unpleasant.
• Use those headphones we mentioned. Your algorithm is awesome, we know, it’s literally all just @TransLink, but those poor iPhone speakers do not do it justice. If you’re listening to something, don’t subject everyone else to it, rock those headphones!
• Don’t eat or drink on board. This one can be tough, but it’s important. No one wants to be the person that spilled his Monster Energy Drink all over the SkyTrain floor. Wait until you get to your destination, we promise you’ll enjoy your treats much more.
• Give priority seats to those who need it. While you’re headed back to class, many are going about their normal days, and not all disabilities are visible. If someone asks for your seat, believe them, and if you feel like making someone’s day, keep an eye out for elderly, pregnant or disabled passengers who might need your seat during your trip.

The Rider Guide is your one-stop-shop for how to get around Metro Vancouver on transit. It contains essential resources like safety features available on transit, and how to combine transit with biking or driving. So, bookmark translink.ca/rider-guide on your phone or desktop computer to find transit information quickly.

5. Request your U-Pass BC if you’re eligible

If you’re a seasoned U-Pass BC user, welcome back to unlimited bus, SkyTrain and SeaBus travel! It’s likely you know the important parts of the program, such as loading your U-Pass BC at upassbc.translink.ca.

If you’re new, here’s what you need to know to use your U-Pass BC.

• U-Pass BC is a discounted transit pass available only to eligible students at participating post-secondary institutions in Metro Vancouver.
• To request your U-Pass BC, you’ll need to first get an Adult Compass Card.
• Compass Cards can be purchased at Compass Vending Machines across our system, at any of our Compass retailers, online at compasscard.ca, by phone, or at the TransLink Customer Service Centre inside Waterfront Station.
• Once you have a Compass Card, you can link it to your student account and request your U-Pass BC at upassbc.translink.ca.
• A requested U-Pass BC can take up to 24 hours to load onto your Compass Card, so plan accordingly.
• Each month’s U-Pass BC must be requested separately once your status is confirmed by your school, you can setup reminders via text or email.

You can request your U-Pass BC on the 16th of each preceding month. That means, for example, you can request your October U-Pass BC starting on Sept. 16.

6. Try a Compass Mini or Wristband

Between your phone, headphones, books, backpack and Compass Card, there’s a lot to juggle during your commute! While the Stored Value and passes on your Compass Card can be retrieved if the card registered, it’s just an inconvenience we’d like help you to avoid during this busy time.

There are a few options aside from a Compass Card card that’s available for the same $6 deposit.

The Compass Wristband allows you to wear your Compass Card on your wrist, secured with clasps, allowing you tap without needing to reach for your Compass Card.

Want something that resembles a keychain? Then the Compass Mini is for you. Attach it with your keys, so you’re less likely to forget it. It can also be clipped to jackets and backpacks, so you can keep it in sight while travelling and transferring between modes.

7. Sign up for Transit Alerts

Be the first to know of any changes to your commute by registering for Transit Alerts. It’s the go-to spot to check for any service impacts along your travel.

Also, check out our TravelSmart program to learn ways to reduce your costs, impact on the environment, and improve your health just by the transportation choices you make every day. Mixing modes of travel can speed up your journey and help to avoid crowds.

If we missed anything here, check out translink.ca/backtoschool, your one-stop-shop for back to class. What’s your favourite part about the back-to-school season? Leave it in the comments.