For nearly four decades, the holiday season has transformed the transit network into a hub for giving. This year, the tradition of generosity continued as employees from TransLink, Coast Mountain Bus Company, HandyDART, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, West Vancouver Transit, and riders teamed up to ensure every child in the Metro Vancouver has a reason to smile this holiday season.

The results from the 2025 Toys for Tots campaign are in, and we have set a new bar for support.

Together, we contributed $3,436.05 in cash donations this year, marking the highest monetary total in the history of the program. These funds provide the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau with the flexibility to purchase gifts for age groups that often see fewer donations, ensuring no one is left behind.

The physical toy drive was equally impressive. Staff and riders collected 3,320 presents, making 2025 the ninth-most successful year for toy collections since the program began in 1985. From stuffed animals to board games, the donations filled our transit centres, head office, and the SeaBus terminals before being loaded onto the Reindeer Bus and Reindeer Shuttle for delivery.

All aboard for a cause

The festive spirit was also alive on the rails as the West Coast Express Santa Train returned for another year of holiday magic. The event offers riders a free return trip to Vancouver in exchange for a new, unwrapped toy.

The morning trains saw 3,034 riders board for their trip into the city, while 2,694 passengers filled the afternoon trains. This massive turnout highlights the incredible commitment our riders have for supporting their neighbours and making the season brighter for local families.

Driven by community

This campaign succeeds because of the hardworking and dedicated people behind the scenes. Whether it’s Sparky the Elf, Santa, and Mrs.Claus who spend countless hours on the ReindeerBus spreading holiday cheer, or the maintenance teams who dress our famous buses for the season, to staff volunteers who organize, count, and deliver each and every toy. For many staff and volunteers, this is the highlight of their year.

“Every toy donated represents a connection between our transit system and the people we serve,” says John Strachan, a Coast Mountain instructor, who is better known as Sparky the Elf during the holiday season.

“Seeing the bins overflow is a testament to the community spirit that defines Metro Vancouver.”

The Toys for Tots program started with a small group of transit operators 40 years ago and has grown into a beloved tradition. On behalf of everyone at TransLink and the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau, thank you for making this season a little brighter for local families.