Every day, around 1,000 buses travel along Hastings Street. For the thousands of riders who hop on board, delays can be a familiar part of their journey.

Hastings is one of Vancouver’s busiest transit corridors and ranks second among bus routes with the most delays. Everything from traffic signals and turning vehicles to closely-spaced bus stops and curbside activity like drop-offs and deliveries can slow buses down. That can mean longer waits, slower trips, and less certainty about when you’ll arrive at your destination.

To help make trips faster and more predictable, TransLink is working with the City of Vancouver to adjust and improve some bus stop locations along Hastings Street.

Changes we’re planning to bus stops

We are proposing changes to bus stop locations on Hastings Street between Granville Street and Boundary Road to make trips on routes 14, 16, 20, and the R5 Hastings St RapidBus quicker and more reliable.

Proposed changes include:

• Removing about one in four stops that are less frequently used, or very close together. Data shows:
  • More than 70 per cent of riders would continue using their existing stop.
  • If a stop is removed, another would be available within about a block.
• Adding three new local stops near signalized crossings as close to removed stops as possible.
• Adding new R5 Hastings St RapidBus stops at Campbell Street (between Main Street and Commercial Drive) to better serve the Strathcona neighbourhood.

To see a list of the proposed stop changes along with an interactive map, visit translink.ca/hastingstransit

Why move bus stops?

Bus stop locations play an important role in how well buses can serve riders. They need to be close enough to keep transit convenient but spaced well enough to help buses move reliably.

Right now, nearly 60 per cent of the bus stops along Hastings Street are spaced closer than the recommended 300 metres.

When stops are too close together, buses need to merge in and out of traffic more often, delaying trips for everyone on board and others who use the road. Adjusting bus stop locations can help buses serve riders more consistently, so more people can get to where they need to be — reliably and on time.

When we look at removing, consolidating, or adding a stop, the distance between stops is only part of the picture. We also consider things like:

• Accessibility needs
• How many people use the stop
• Nearby transfer points and destinations
• Condition and steepness of the sidewalk
• Existing amenities, like shelters and benches

Tell us what you think!

While we look at many factors when drafting a proposed plan, we want to make sure we haven’t missed anything. That is why we want to hear from you — whether you travel to, from, or through the area.

Take our survey by May 24 to share your thoughts on the proposed bus stop changes.

To learn more and share your feedback, visit translink.ca/hastingstransit