A major all-day RapidBus extension is making transit easier and more frequent between the North Shore, Vancouver and Burnaby. 

Starting Sept. 7, the new R2 Marine-Willingdon RapidBus will extend from Phibbs Exchange to Metrotown Station via Hastings Street and Willingdon Avenue. This creates a one-seat ride between Park Royal and Metrotown, improving access to jobs, schools, shopping centres, and other major destinations along the corridor. One of the busiest transit corridors in the region, the existing R2 RapidBus carries more than 1.9 million boardings each year. 

The extended R2 operates from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. It runs every six to seven minutes during peak periods, and every 10 to 15 minutes off-peak. It includes eight new bus stops and allows for connections to both the Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines. 

The route features larger 60-foot buses for 50 per cent more capacity and more space on board, shorter wait times, and a more comfortable trip. Fourteen bus stops along the route have been upgraded to accommodate the larger buses. Customers will also benefit from all door boarding, two new bus shelters, and accessibility upgrades, including accessible loading areas, text-to-audio functionality, and tactile pads. 

This route replaces the peak-only 222 Express with more frequent, all-day RapidBus service between Park Royal and Metrotown Station and eliminates the need to transfer at Phibbs Exchange.  

The #130 continues to provide local service, with all off-peak trips now terminating at Kootenay Loop. 

Key destinations 

Transit demand is high along this route: more than 14,000 transit trips are made each weekday between Phibbs Exchange and Metrotown. 

Delivered more than three months ahead of schedule, the R2 connects customers to a corridor that provides access to approximately 98,000 jobs, and access to major destinations and connections across the region, including: 

• Park Royal 

• Capilano Mall 

• Lonsdale Quay and Lower Lonsdale 

• Burnaby Heights  

• Brentwood Town Centre Station (Millennium Line)  

• BCIT  

• Metrotown Station (Expo Line) 

The R2 extension is one of the transportation improvements delivered through our 2025 Investment Plan, helping connect more people to jobs, education, shopping and services across Metro Vancouver. 

https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps/service-changesTo learn more about the new R2 extension and other fall service changes, check out our service change highlights.