Meet Laureen: Your evergreen SkyTrain voice lady

It’s been nearly two decades since Laureen came on board

Hop on a SkyTrain and you’ll hear a woman’s voice on the public address system, telling you what line you’ve boarded and what station is coming up next.

Well, that voice belongs to Laureen Regan, president of Regan Productions, a video production company in Calgary, Alberta.

She’s been the voice of the SkyTrain since 2001, when the Millennium Line opened and new station announcements were required. We brought her back again when the Canada Line and Evergreen Extension opened to record additional announcements.

In July this year, we brought Vancouver-born actor Seth Rogen as the guest voice on transit. Seth added to Laureen’s SkyTrain station name announcements and talked about etiquette on transit and entertained and educated our customers on priority seating, bags and feet on seats, and many more transit etiquette issues. He also had interesting nuggets to share about Vancouver. If you missed your chance to listen to them on the system, worry not, because we’ve put them up online!

Laureen Regan

It’s been nearly two decades since Laureen came on board, and she continues to be THE SkyTrain lady for us and our customers.

Regan heard her voice on the train system for the first time shortly after the Millennium Line began service.

“I took the train and I laughed,” she says. “It was so amazing to hear it—to sit there and go, ‘Oh my God, that’s my voice.’ You remembered when you recorded it. … And everybody has no idea, which makes you laugh.”

Regan came to be the voice of the SkyTrain through her connection to Interalia, another Calgary-based company.

Interalia makes automated voice systems, and knew Regan had done voice work for her own productions in the past. They asked her to do a demo voice for their system, which they were about to show to TransLink for the Millennium Line.

Then, when TransLink bought the Interalia system, Regan was asked to record the real announcements for the trains.

Recording wasn’t too tough.

“Millennium Line is hard to say, I’ve got to say,” she says. “But I don’t remember any of the names being particularly difficult. The challenge sometimes with recording for places you don’t know is that you may not know the proper pronunciation [of local names].”

It’s a challenge she’s faced again over the years.

Regan has also done voice work for the Salt Lake City train system and the BART trains in San Francisco, both through Interalia

The chance to do voice work like this has been a gift, she says.

“It’s not been something that I’ve planned—it just happened. I enjoy it every time I do voicing. I love it.”

Do you have a favourite SkyTrain announcement? Tell us which one!

Listen to the Podcast

Regan’s interview was conducted as part of The Buzzer blog podcast. Have a listen!

Q&A: Spotlight on Emily Carr student Autumn Quigley

As a transit user in Vancouver, Autumn loves the cultural diversity of the city

When illustrator Autumn Quigley first moved to Vancouver, the diversity of the city really appealed to her. So, when the time came to design a transit etiquette illustration for TransLink, she went back to this cultural aspect of her new home.

Autumn is a recent graduate who majored in illustration from the Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECUAD), whose artwork depicting transit etiquette is currently displayed on our transit system.

TransLink’s recent collaboration with ECUAD aims to take a look at transit etiquette through the eyes of students who are also transit users themselves.

More than 40 students of the fourth-year illustration course at ECUAD, taught by Professors Justin Novak, Amory Abbott, and Daniel Drennan ElAwar, brought their own sense of creativity to the project.

Autumn chatted with our social media team about how art in public places serves a purpose.

Read more »

This 4-year-old had the best transit-themed birthday party!

Isaac’s parents decided to celebrate his love for all things transit

It’s just another day for 4-year-old Isaac. He goes to preschool three days per week and loves his classmates, and teachers. He takes transit with his mom wherever he goes. And just like any other 4-year-old, Isaac is a huge transit fan. He loves watching videos of trains, buses, and cartoons.

Isaac started riding buses when he was 3-weeks-old, and it helps with his communication skills, says his mom, Pamela Carvajal, who sent The Buzzer blog pictures of Isaac’s transit-themed birthday party!

Read more »

Transit-friendly things to do in Vancouver this weekend

Your guide to transit-friendly things to do this weekend

It’s official – fall is over and sweater weather is here to stay. Warm scarves and oversized hoodies, all things pumpkin, and chilly mornings to wake up to – who needs anything more? We know some of us would love to stay home on the weekend, but there are people who like to go out!

Remember, there are only few more sunny days left, so make hay while the sun shines!

Read on to find out what exciting things you can do this weekend that are accessible by transit. The best part? We tell you how to get there!

Note: Event timings, locations, and prices may be subject to change. Check each event’s website for exact details.  Read more »

Q&A: Emily Carr student Kimberly Parker talks transit etiquette

Illustrator Kimberly Parker chats about why transit etiquette is important

For Kimberly Parker, art isn’t just a hobby. As a recent graduate who majored in illustration from the Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECUAD), Kimberly is one of the six students whose artwork depicting transit etiquette is currently displayed on our transit system.

TransLink’s recent collaboration with ECUAD aims to take a look at transit etiquette through the eyes of students who are also transit users themselves.

More than 40 students of the fourth-year illustration course at ECUAD, taught by Professors Justin Novak, Amory Abbott, and Daniel Drennan ElAwar, brought their own sense of creativity to the project.

Kimberly chats with our social media team about why transit etiquette is important.

Read more »

New SkyTrain cars are on their way to Vancouver!

The first four of 28 new SkyTrain cars are on the way to Vancouver!

As part of the 10-Year Vision – Phase One, we’re adding 80 new SkyTrain cars on the Expo, Millennium and Canada Lines to increase service and reduce overcrowding.

We have some exciting news to share! The first four of 56 cars for the Expo and Millennium Lines, built by Bombardier Transportation, are now on the way to Vancouver from Kingston, Ontario where they recently completed testing. Once they arrive in Vancouver, they’ll will undergo additional testing before entering service.

Read more »

Vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Metro Vancouver to visit on transit

While veganism might be a quintessential Vancouver thing, there are options outside of Vancouver that are transit-friendly!

Let’s be honest, vegan-friendly and vegetarian restaurants are hot right now. While veganism might be a quintessential Vancouver thing, there are options outside of Vancouver as well.

With this post, we aim to bring you some vegan-friendly, as well as vegan options in Metro Vancouver that are easily accessible by transit.

Remember, these are just a sampling and we are by no means experts. So, please let us know of other transit-friendly vegan/vegetarian spots we missed. We’d love to try them!

Note: Restaurant timings, menu, and prices may be subject to change. Check each restaurant’s website for exact details.

1. Meet Restaurant (Main St, Yaletown & Gastown)

Location: 4288 Main Street, Vancouver
Transit: Buses 3, 25

Their award-winning menu strikes a chord when it comes to comfort food. The restaurant claims more than half its patrons are meat-eaters trying their hands at vegan options. Try their sweet-chili cauliflower deep fried in beer batter and glazed with a chili ginger sauce.

Read more »

Fall Service Changes means 6,000 more spaces on transit for our customers!

We’re adding more service hours across Metro Vancouver to help reduce overcrowding.

We hear ya — the transit system is busy!

Last year, Metro Vancouver led Canada and the United States in transit ridership growth with 407 million boardings, and the growth trend has continued into this year.

That’s why we’re adding more service hours across the region to help reduce overcrowding as part of our Fall Service Changes, which begin on Monday, Sept. 3!

We’re adding 100 more trips every day and 6,000 more spaces for our customers — made possible through new investments available through the 10-Year Vision.

More than 20 routes across the region are receiving improvements thanks to this new funding. Among them:

• 23 Beach/Yaletown/Main Street Station
• 25 Brentwood Station/UBC
• 43 Joyce Station/UBC
• 100 22nd Street Station/Marpole Loop
• 319 Scott Road Station/Newton Exchange
• 555 Lougheed Station/Carvolth Exchange

We are also improving several routes as part of the updated Southwest Area Transport Plan, which was finalized in July:

• 104 Annacis island/22nd Street Station
• 401 Richmond-Brighouse Station/One Road
• 406 Richmond-Brighouse Station/Steveston^*NEW*
• 408 Richmond Brighouse/Ironwood/Riverport ^*NEW*
• 410 Richmond Brighouse Station/22nd Street Station
• 418 Richmond-Brighouse Station/Kingswood (formerly C98)

For full details and maps, please visit translink.ca/servicechanges. Stay tuned to The Buzzer blog over the next two weeks as we take a deep dive into other notable changes.

Nearly 250,000 annual bus service hours related to the 10-Year Vision have been added since the start of Phase One. The 10-Year Vision means more transit, better roads, safer cycling and pedestrian access — for everyone.

And we’re just getting started! In June, an investment plan for Phase Two of the 10-Year Vision was approved, unlocking $7.3 billion in new funding. This is the largest investment in transit and transportation in Metro Vancouver’s history!

Know before you go! Plan your trip using our Trip Planner at translink.ca/tripplanner.

Author: Allen Tung

#MyTransLink – August 14

#MyTransLink aims to capture all your beautiful shots of Metro Vancouver

Ding! Ding! Ding! It’s Tuesday, and we are back with our weekly #MyTransLink series on The Buzzer blog where we publish photos taken and published on social media by you – our customers! Each week, we give you a theme and you share your stunning photos by using the hashtag #MyTransLink on Instagram.

#MyTransLink is all about Your Metro Vancouver – whether you take the bus, the SkyTrain, or the SeaBus, make sure you capture those stunning moments and share with us using the hashtag #MyTransLink.

This week, we are stoked about two special events: it’s the 70^th anniversary of our trolleybus network and you can ride the historic 1954 Canadian Car Brill T-48A trolleybus for FREE this week (check the dates and timings). We also have swanky new merchandise that you can buy at the pop-up shop at Waterfront Station this week.

So, for this past week’s #MyTransLink post, we wanted you to share photos of architecture – especially of our transit system! Share your awesome clicks with us using the hashtag #MyTransLink, and we’ll be sure to feature them here. What to submit as next week’s photos? Read on my friends…

Read more »

#TakeTransitHome – transit merchandise pop-up shop at Waterfront Station, Aug. 16–18

A trolleybus-themed t-shirt will be among the new items available at the pop-up shop!

Hey Vancouver, this is your transit! A pop-up shop will be popping up at Waterfront Station on August 16, 17 and 18. It’s your chance to pickup merchandise to show off your love for our Metro Vancouver transit system.

We’ve added NEW items to our list of transportation-themed apparel for the pop-up shop, including a t-shirt to commemorate our trolleybuses’ 70th anniversary!

Trolley-themed tee-shirts can be bought at the pop-up shop at Waterfront Station

It’s the 70^th trolleybus anniversary on August 16^th (follow us on social media – Twitter and Facebook – to know details about a special trolley tour). These cool trolleybus-themed tees will instill a sense of pride and nostalgia in you.

The pop-up shop at Waterfront Station will run from:

• August 16^th & 17^th, 8 a.m. to 6 pm
• August 18^th, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

New merchandise can be bought at the pop-up shop at Waterfront Station this weekend

Other new merchandise include a baseball hat with the transit ‘T’ symbol and the popular retro SeaBus t-shirts in two new colors.

The three-day pop-up shop will also sell other items such as:

• Transit-themed pencils
• Station map mugs and mug sets
• Transit vehicle travel mug and other drinkware
• Transit map puzzle and other décor items
• Bus system map umbrella, laptop sleeve and other personal/tech items
• Scale models of a SkyTrain or SeaBus

Whether you are a local, or a tourist to Metro Vancouver, our pop-up shop at the historical Waterfront Station is sure to delight you with numerous options.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your calendar August 16^th to 18^th and come see us at Waterfront Station! Be ready to take transit home!

Can’t make it? This new merchandise is also available on the TransLink Store where all orders now ship from Metro Vancouver!

This automatic open, folding umbrella features a navy exterior with the transit T logo and colourful Vancouver bus system map interior.

Author: Tanushree Pillai

New bus loop at Joyce-Collingwood Station and more!

The TransLink Maintenance and Repair Program is improving aging infrastructure across the system

Upgrades to Joyce-Collingwood Station are well underway. The new bus loop at Joyce-Collingwood Station is now complete – a milestone in the TransLink Maintenance and Repair Program that’s improving aging infrastructure across the system.

The next phase of construction will start next week, with crews completing necessary upgrade work.

The west stationhouse at Joyce–Collingwood SkyTrain Station will be closed from August 13 until spring 2019 as station improvements continue. During construction, the station will remain open and accessible to all customers.

Where do I catch my bus or SkyTrain?

Two new bus shelters at the Joyce-Collingwood Station – opening August 13.

Beginning August 13, customers will use the east stationhouse and newly-constructed bus loop to access SkyTrain and buses.

• Buses will move to the new bus loop adjacent to the east stationhouse.
• From August 13 to spring 2019, the west stationhouse will close and customers can catch their bus at the new bus loop adjacent to the east stationhouse.
• The bus loop has larger shelters and is the new permanent location for the 28 and 41/43 routes.

Read more »

9 beaches in Metro Vancouver to visit by transit

9 beaches in Metro Vancouver to visit by transit

Summer is a great time to explore the beautiful beaches that Metro Vancouver has to offer. The long days mean these beaches offer scenic views of the horizon that make for great photos and memories! While there are lots of popular beaches in the Lower Mainland, we compiled this list of some stunning beaches that could possibly be our cities’ best kept secrets. We also tell you how to get there by transit, so all you need to do is grab your beach towels, lather on that sunscreen and jump on transit your family!

Turns out, even in the 1930s, the print edition of The Buzzer suggested some great beaches in Vancouver to beat the heat!

Which is your favorite beach? Did we miss any other secret beaches? Let us know in the comments below!

Note: Beach timings and swimming conditions may be affected due to the weather. Check each beach’s website for exact details.

1. White Pine Beach

Location: Sasamat Lake, Port Moody
Transit: Bus 150

White Pine Beach on Sasamat Lake in Port Moody is a family-friendly beach that has great walking trails, a beach area, swimming in the lake, and a floating bridge. Take advantage of our increased service to White Pine Beach during the summer and hit this great spot!

Read more »

#MyTransLink – August 7

A SkyTrain track is featured in this stock photo from 2017

Hola all you fellow transit enthusiasts! Our favorite day of the week is back and so is #MyTransLink – our series on The Buzzer blog where we publish photos taken and published on social media by you – our customers! Each week, we give you a theme and you share your stunning photos by using the hashtag #MyTransLink on Instagram.

#MyTransLink aims to capture all your beautiful shots of Metro Vancouver. Whether you take the bus, the SkyTrain, or the SeaBus, make sure you capture those stunning moments and share with us using the hashtag #MyTransLink.

So, for this week’s #MyTransLink post, we want you to share photos of architecture – especially of our transit system! Share your awesome clicks with us using the hashtag #MyTransLink, and we’ll be sure to feature them here.

Here are some of last week’s clicks:

Read more »

#MyTransLink – July 30

SkyTrain bridge

Happy Tuesday, folks! Looks like we may be getting a breather from the scorching heat, finally! Tuesday also means it’s #MyTransLink time, so all you Instagrammers out there, we love what you share with us – keep clicking and sharing!

Read more »

9 epic transit-friendly places to get ice cream in Metro Vancouver

9 epic transit-friendly places to get ice cream in Metro Vancouver

There is no place like Metro Vancouver when it comes to the ice cream scene. With new shops popping up across the region, you won’t have to look far to get a cold, sweet treat on a hot summer’s day!  High-end ice cream has become a staple in our culinary realm, with shops like Earnest and Rain or Shine setting the bar high. Whether you’re looking for good old-fashioned ice cream or curious to try something new, The Buzzer blog’s got you covered with 9 epic transit-friendly ice cream shops!

1. Buckets Ice Cream

Location: 3330 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3M7
Hours: 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Transit: 3

This cozy, family-run shop specializes in liquid-nitrogen ice cream, made in-house and to-order! Offering a variety of tasty flavours (vegan included), you can enjoy your ice cream in many forms. Their ice cream sandwiches are on point! We’d recommend Le Norm. For something really different, try a house-made Kombucha float!  You can always grab a ready-to-go pint or order an ice cream pie with your choice of a waffle, Oreo or vegan and gluten-free date and nut crust.

Read more »