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90-493: The bridge, owned by TransLink , has a clearance of 40 m (130 ft), and a total length of 2,410 m (7,910 ft) including approaches. The extradosed bridge incorporates three main spans, each 244 m (801 ft) long and two shoreline spans, each 122 m (400 ft) long for total length of 976 m (3,202 ft) which makes it the longest extradosed bridge in North America. Eight pylons are situated in

180-475: A 90-minute period on the bus or on SkyTrain or SeaBus. All buses are considered one-zone fares, but cash fares on buses are not transferable to the SkyTrain or SeaBus owing to technological incompatibility between bus fare box–issued transfers and Compass fare readers. Zone fares apply weekdays before 6:30 p.m. During evenings and on weekends, passengers can travel throughout the system on a one-zone fare. There

270-474: A different logo based on these colours, with the exception of the West Coast Express . The board decided against changing West Coast Express's purple colour to blue, since purple and yellow create a premium brand differentiable from TransLink's blue and yellow livery. Repainting of vehicles did not incur any additional costs, as it was completed during regular maintenance repaints or new vehicle purchases. At

360-409: A fare inspection at any time. Those who fail to pay the fare or fail to produce a valid fare could be removed from the transit system and/or fined $ 173. Currently, only Transit Security and Transit Police have the authority to issue fare evasion fines. Customer Service Attendants and other transit employees may request compliance in regards to fares, but have no authority to issue a fine. Failure to pay

450-467: A mail-in plebiscite on a proposal to adopt a new 0.5 percent sales tax to fund improvements in transit infrastructure, and completion of current TransLink projects. Ballots were mailed in March, and had to be returned by 8:00 pm on May 29, 2015. The tax was designed to generate annual revenue of $ 250   million to help fund an $ 8   billion, 10-year transit plan including the following projects: The tax

540-399: A new livery composed of yellow, blue, and two shades of grey, which was then adopted as a permanent corporate livery. This new livery was later added to older SeaBus vessels and SkyTrain rolling stock in an attempt to unify the fleet. In January 2020, TransLink converted most of its B-Line service into a new service called RapidBus , whose vehicles sported a new livery. The RapidBus livery

630-503: A passenger passes through and they differ for those paying with stored value on their Compass cards versus those paying by cash or contactless credit card. Cash and stored value fares are the same for concession riders. Cash and contactless credit card fares are equal. Fares were last increased on July 1, 2024. Compass card holders and those with Compass transfers (issued by Compass vending machines at SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express stations) are permitted unlimited transfers within

720-569: A property development slowdown. On April 26, 2007, the provincial government introduced legislation to restructure TransLink. The proposed successor body was to be known as the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority. The legislation received Royal Assent on November 29, 2007, and came into effect on January 1, 2008, with some parts of the organization, like the Council of Mayors, beginning functions

810-435: A restructuring of the executive of the body, and increases in the areas under TransLink's jurisdiction. The reorganization of TransLink proposed the following changes: Falcon had called the old board "dysfunctional", saying that board members were focused on the interests of their own municipalities instead of the broader interests of the region. According to Falcon, the board of directors had "no ability there to develop

900-664: A similar-sized flood occurring in the next 50 years. In the second quarter of 2007, the Lower Mainland was on high alert for flooding. Higher than normal snow packs in the British Columbia Interior prompted municipal governments to start taking emergency measures in the region. Dikes along the Fraser River are regulated to handle approximately 8.5 metres (28 ft) at the Mission Gauge (the height above sea level of

990-497: A tap in method to pay fares. Tap out however is not required on buses. The cards may be loaded with monthly passes, day passes, or stored value, or any combination, with the ability to auto-load the fare choice. Annual passes have been eliminated. After the December 2015 TransLink announcement that the gates would close on April 4, 2016, groups working with those who have disabilities complained about potential accessibility problems with

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1080-723: Is a $ 5 surcharge, the "YVR AddFare", applied to most fares paid at Canada Line stations on Sea Island— YVR–Airport , Sea Island Centre , and Templeton —for eastbound trips to Bridgeport station or beyond. Trips using a monthly pass are exempt, as are trips using DayPasses purchased and activated off Sea Island. Trips to the three stations are not subject to the surcharge. Trips between the three Sea Island stations are free. Beginning September 2021, fares were adjusted so to that children aged 13 and younger were permitted to ride for free. Concession fares apply to youths aged 14–18 with identification proving age, and seniors aged 65 and over. Students from all public post-secondary institutions in

1170-493: Is a variation of the standard TransLink livery but features a green-and-blue colour scheme . TransLink works with municipalities within the region to plan and maintain the region's Major Road Network (MRN). The MRN consists of major arterial roads throughout the region which carry commuter, transit, and truck traffic. The 675-kilometre-long (419 mi) network serves to connect the provincial highway system with local municipalities' road networks. TransLink contributes funding for

1260-529: Is among the most multicultural and diverse regions in Canada. As of 2021, Europeans form a plurality with 1,337,105 persons or 45.7 percent of the total population, followed by East Asians with 614,860 persons or 21.0 percent and South Asians with 422,880 persons or 14.5 percent. Religion in the Lower Mainland (2021) The Lower Mainland includes large irreligious, Christian, and Sikh communities. The Sikh population, numbering over 265,000 persons or 9.1 percent of

1350-782: Is bordered on the west by the Strait of Georgia, to the north by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District , on the east by the Fraser Valley Regional District, and to the south by Whatcom County, Washington , in the United States . The Fraser Valley Regional District lies east of the Metro Vancouver Regional District, and comprises the cities of Abbotsford and Chilliwack , the district municipalities of Mission , Kent , and Hope , and

1440-482: Is operationally independent and there is no track connection between them. The Expo Line and Millennium Line are operated by British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd., a subsidiary of TransLink. The Canada Line is operated by ProTrans BC, a division of SNC-Lavalin . The West Coast Express is a commuter railway connecting downtown Vancouver to Metro Vancouver municipalities to the east and terminating in Mission in

1530-678: Is the final delivery of the 10-Year Investment Plan, which was scheduled to be rolled out between 2020 and 2030. It included four new B-Lines, more service improvements on buses, SkyTrain, and HandyDART service. It also included the construction of the Surrey–Langley LRT as well as continued funding for improved roads, cycling paths, and sidewalks. Phase one was approved by the Mayors' Council in November 2016; implementation began in January 2017. Phase two

1620-570: The COVID-19 pandemic in the province , specifically to meet physical distancing requirements in combating the spread of COVID-19 . Part of the measures included allowing the boarding and alighting of passengers only via a bus' rear door, which lack the means to collect cash fares. Those needing mobility assistance could continue boarding through the front door. TransLink later reduced capacity on all buses by 50 percent to further physical distancing goals. No changes to fares or capacity were implemented for

1710-660: The Canada–United States border and east to Hope at the eastern end of the Fraser Valley . This definition makes the term Lower Mainland almost synonymous with the regional districts of Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley . However, the British Columbia Geographical Names Information System (BCGNIS) comments that most residents of Vancouver might consider it to be only areas west of Mission and Abbotsford , while residents in

1800-595: The Evergreen Extension of the Millennium Line began in 2012 and completed in 2016, expanding service from Lougheed Town Centre to Coquitlam. The Canada Line , which was opened on August 17, 2009, runs underground through Vancouver and then along an elevated guideway with two branches, to Richmond and Vancouver International Airport . It meets the Expo Line at Waterfront station in downtown Vancouver, but it

1890-549: The Expo Line , was built in 1985 as a transit showcase for Expo 86 . The automated rapid transit system has become an important part of the region's transportation network. The Expo Line operates from downtown Vancouver to southern Burnaby , New Westminster , and Surrey . The system was expanded with the opening of the Millennium Line in 2002, which connects Coquitlam , Port Moody , Burnaby , and Vancouver. Construction on

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1980-707: The Fraser River . Other major floods in the Lower Mainland ;– including June 1972, November 1990, and November 2021 – have been more localized, primarily impacting areas in the Fraser Valley like the Sumas Prairie , with comparatively minor impacts to Metro Vancouver. Prior to the 2021 flood, according to the Fraser Basin Council, scientists predicted a one-in-three chance of

2070-570: The Georgia Strait region also frequented the lower Fraser, including those from Vancouver Island and what is now Whatcom County, Washington . Sto:lo traditional territory, known as Solh Temexw in Halkomelem , more or less coincides with the traditional conception of the Lower Mainland, except for the inclusion of Port Douglas at the head of Harrison Lake, which is in In-SHUCK-ch territory, and

2160-753: The Golden Ears peaks, which crown Mount Blanshard in Golden Ears Provincial Park . The successful submission to name the bridge was that of George Tabert, a local pastor. The bridge was constructed by a joint venture of CH2M Hill and Bilfinger Berger called Golden Crossing Constructors Joint Venture, at a final cost of $ 808 million. The construction project, officially launched in June 2006, created 14 kilometres of new road. Golden Ears Way has direct connections to Lougheed Highway , Maple Meadows Way, 113B Avenue, 200th Street, 176th Street ( Highway 15 ) and

2250-578: The Lower Mainland has created a regulation whereby taxis are to charge passengers a $ 6.90 surcharge for crossing the bridge, something that must be explained to the passenger in advance of starting the meter. Bicycles, pedestrians, emergency vehicles and TransLink buses are exempt from the toll. TransLink acknowledged that in the early years of the bridge's operation, revenues have been lower than had been forecasted. The agency has indicated that they expect revenues to increase once drivers can no longer use

2340-636: The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority and previously the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority , is the statutory authority responsible for the regional transportation network of Metro Vancouver in British Columbia , Canada, including public transport, major roads and bridges. Its main operating facilities are located in the city of New Westminster . TransLink

2430-562: The Sto:lo , a Halkomelem -speaking people of the Coast Salish linguistic and cultural grouping. Although the term Lower Mainland has been recorded from the earliest period of colonization in British Columbia, it has never been officially defined in legal terms. The term has historically been in popular usage for over a century to describe a region that extends from Horseshoe Bay south to

2520-463: The Trans-Canada Highway ( Highway 1 ). The completed bridge opened at 2:00AM on June 16, 2009. The project was planned to permit archaeological teams to comb through a part of First Nations land that the bridge passed through. The team, led by a Simon Fraser University archaeology professor, discovered pottery shards, metal implements and 3,600-year-old wapato , or potatoes , evidence that

2610-521: The West Coast Express , which extends into the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD). On November 29, 2007, the province of British Columbia approved legislation changing the governance structure and official name of the organization. On March 8, 2007, BC Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon announced a restructuring of TransLink. Major changes include new revenue-generating measures,

2700-564: The Boulder Creek Fault. Scientists now believe this fault is active and capable of producing earthquakes in the 6.8 magnitude range. Much of the Lower Mainland is vulnerable to explosive eruptions from the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt . Volcanoes in this zone are capable of producing large quantities of volcanic ash that may cause short and long term water supply problems for Lower Mainland communities. All airports covered by

2790-627: The Canadian government announced that it would spend $ 37   million for improvements to transit security across Canada, including $ 9.8   million for the Vancouver area. CCTV cameras have been installed on all TransLink buses newer than 2006, except for Community Shuttle units. TransLink replaced its special provincial constables, who held limited policing power, with the Metro Vancouver Transit Police in December 2005. In contrast to

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2880-402: The Expo Line from King George station to Langley. This plan was approved by the Mayors' Council in principle that same month, but the $ 1.65   billion in funding that was earmarked for the light rail project, which was intended to be repurposed to construct the extension to Langley, was determined to be insufficient to fund the entire extension, with $ 1.9   billion more needed to complete

2970-657: The FVRD, north of the Fraser River . It is operated by the British Columbia Rapid Transit Company. SeaBus is a passenger ferry service across Burrard Inlet between Vancouver and the North Shore municipalities that is operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company and integrated with the transit system. It holds approximately 400 people and sails every 15 minutes during rush hour. Fares depend on how many fare zones

3060-674: The Fare Collection Regulation. In September 2012, amendments to the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act came into effect, making TransLink responsible for collection of fines issued by Transit Police and Transit Security. Since October 5, 2015, all bus travel is considered one-zone travel and no additional fares are required for crossing fare boundaries on the bus. On April 4, 2016, TransLink's new fare gates were implemented for ridership on SkyTrain and SeaBus. To open

3150-596: The Golden Ears bridge will be removed starting September 1, 2017. Rates effective up until August 31, 2017. Tolls were removed after September 1, 2017. Above rates are current as of January 2013. TransLink has also experimented with reduced tolls during low-use times such as evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays. They commenced a six-week trial project in April 2011 which reduced tolls by 30% in such times. The Passenger Transportation Board, which regulates taxi services in

3240-510: The Lower Mainland includes two regional districts: the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) and the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD). Both regional districts, however, include areas outside the traditional limits of the Lower Mainland. Metro Vancouver includes areas like Surrey and Langley that are geographically in the Fraser Valley . The Metro Vancouver Regional District is made up of 21 municipalities. The MVRD

3330-499: The Lower Mainland was largely spared, although northern regions of the province, along the Skeena and Nechako Rivers, experienced floods. Climate scientists predict that increasing temperatures will mean wetter winters and more snow at the high elevations. This will increase the likelihood of snowmelt floods. The provincial government maintains an integrated flood hazard management program and extensive flood protection infrastructure in

3420-519: The Lower Mainland, with the exception of the Justice Institute of British Columbia , receive a U-Pass , which is included in student fees. The pass is valid across all three zones. A Fare Paid Zone is a clearly marked territory on which passengers must have valid proof of payment and produce it for inspection upon request of a Transit Employee. Initially, these were only in effect in SkyTrain and SeaBus stations and vehicles until June 25, 2007, when

3510-477: The Lower Mainland. Based on geological evidence, however, stronger earthquakes appear to have occurred at approximately 600-year intervals. Therefore, there is a probability that there will be a major earthquake in the region within the next 200 years. In April 2008, the United States Geological Survey released information concerning a newly found fault south of downtown Abbotsford , called

3600-409: The Lower Mainland. The infrastructure consists of dikes, pump stations , floodboxes, riprap , and relief wells . While earthquakes are common in British Columbia and adjacent coastal waters, most are minor in energy release or are sufficiently remote to have little effect on populated areas. Nevertheless, earthquakes with a magnitude of up to 7.3 have occurred within 150 kilometres (93 mi) of

3690-507: The No campaign by $ 5.8   million to $ 40,000. Surveys conducted by Insights West showed the Yes side ahead in December 2014, but support dropped to 37 per cent the week before the ballots were mailed. After the failure of the plebiscite, several executives at TransLink were removed from their positions. After the failure of the 2015 plebiscite, TransLink developed the 10-Year Investment Plan. The plan

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3780-610: The SeaBus, the SkyTrain or the West Coast Express. On June 1, 2020, TransLink resumed fare collection on buses, citing improved safety features for drivers and the over $ 2 million a month in lost revenue due to the fare suspension. Coast Mountain Bus Company operates TransLink's Transit Security department. Transit security officers are mobile, ride buses and trains, inspect fares, issue fines and patrol TransLink properties. They work closely with transit police to ensure safety throughout

3870-519: The aboriginal peoples in the area engaged in farming. Some members of the Coast Salish Katzie Nation decried the way that the bridge affected what they described as a "3000 year old burial ground". Bilfinger Berger applied to the federal government to bring in foreigners to work on the bridge, arguing that there was a shortage of qualified construction workers in Canada. The BC Federation of Labour disagreed, arguing that Bilfinger Berger

3960-495: The accompanying eruption column would be closed, heavy ash falls would damage electrical equipment and weak structures could collapse under the weight of the ash. The Lower Mainland's communities includes large cities in Metro Vancouver, and smaller cities, towns and villages along both banks of the Fraser River. Neighbourhoods within cities are not listed unless historically or otherwise notable and/or separate. Only some of

4050-621: The automated system for crossing the bridge when they never had done so, including one story in which a local resident was charged for crossing the bridge more than 90 times, when he had never driven across it at all. On July 15, 2016 tolls on the Golden Ears Bridge increased to cover the rise in the Consumer Price Index. The increases range between 5–15 cents, depending on the size of the vehicle and type of account. On August 25, 2017, B.C. Premier John Horgan announced that all tolls on

4140-426: The bridge serving 30,000 trips each weekday by September 2011. The current 10 million trips annually far exceeds the previous ferry traffic on the route of 1.5 million vehicles and 4 million passengers. The new bridge used an electronic tolling system to track vehicles that cross to recover construction costs. Tolls had not been used in the Lower Mainland since the 1960s when they were removed from all bridges. This

4230-424: The bus and produce it upon request by a transit official. Enforcement of fares is conducted by Transit Security officers. On all RapidBuses, as well as the 99 B-Line , larger, 18.3-metre (60 ft), three-door buses allow passengers to board through rear doors. As they are bypassing the driver and fare box, they must have a valid fare in their possession. On all other buses, passengers are required to board through

4320-404: The city and to several suburbs. NightBuses leave downtown Vancouver until 4:30 a.m. For the safety of passengers late at night, Transit Security officers ride some of the night buses and respond to calls onboard others. These buses are popular since SkyTrain ends service at 1:30 a.m. but downtown clubs and bars do not close until 3 a.m. The first SkyTrain line, which later became known as

4410-665: The city of Vancouver, buses generally run on a grid system, with most trolley bus routes operating radially out of downtown and along north–south arteries, and most diesel buses providing east–west crosstown service, with the University of British Columbia (UBC) as their western terminus. Outside the city of Vancouver, most buses operate on a hub-and-spoke system along feeder routes that connect with SkyTrain , SeaBus , West Coast Express , or other regional centres. Six high-capacity, high-frequency RapidBus express routes use mostly 18.3-metre (60 ft) articulated buses , rounding out

4500-455: The day after the legislation was approved. On March 19, 2008, the Vancouver Sun reported that TransLink was launching a real estate division that could produce over $ 1.5   billion in revenue over the ensuing ten years. NDP critic Maurine Karagianis introduced a private member's bill dubbed the "TransLink Openness Act". In 2015, residents of Metro Vancouver were asked to vote in

4590-478: The dykes at Mission). Warmer than normal weather in the province's Interior region caused large amounts of snow to melt prematurely, resulting in higher-than-normal water levels, which, nevertheless, remained well below flood levels. Flooding can cover much of the Lower Mainland. Cloverdale , Barnston Island , low-lying areas of Maple Ridge , areas west of Hope , White Rock , Richmond , parts of Vancouver , and parts of Surrey are potentially at risk. In 2007,

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4680-550: The eastern part of the Georgia Depression and extends from Powell River on the Sunshine Coast to Hope at the eastern end of the Fraser Valley. One of the mildest climates in Canada, the region has a mean annual temperature of 9 °C (48 °F) with a summer mean of 15 °C (59 °F) and a winter mean of 3.5 °C (38.3 °F). Annual precipitation ranges from an annual mean of 850 millimetres (33 in) in

4770-406: The fare gate system. TransLink's response was to have staff assist those with disabilities enter or exit the system, or to leave the gates open when staff were not present. This lasted until July 25, 2016, when the gates were fully closed. No data have been presented to indicate if the system has reduced fare evasion, estimated at between $ 6 and $ 7   million per year, which was the promise of

4860-435: The fare gates, to enter or exit the system, a Compass card or Compass ticket (purchased from a Compass vending machine) must be used. Compass cards may be used to pay fares on and buses, although FareSaver tickets may still be used on buses. Paper passes continue to be issued on buses for fares paid in cash. Neither FareSavers nor the transfer tickets may be used to open fare gates. Compass cards work on all transit services using

4950-563: The fare or produce valid proof of payment is an offence. Fare inspections are conducted by the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service and Transit Security. Fraudulent use of fares (e.g., using a fake pass, using another person's non-transferable pass,) may result in criminal charges. Passengers found without a valid fare or who fail to produce valid proof of payment are served with an Infraction Ticket of $ 173, under

5040-474: The former TransLink special constables, transit police constables have full police powers both on and off of TransLink property. They are based in New Westminster, BC. Shortly after its inception, TransLink's board of directors approved replacement of the old BC Transit colours with TransLink's new blue and yellow colour scheme, or livery . It also created brands for the agency's different services, each with

5130-508: The free ferry amounted to 1.5 million vehicles and 4 million passengers. After the bridge opened, the ferries ceased to be used and the two ferries were sold in 2011 for $ 400,000 to a local marine transportation company. During an initial toll-free introductory period in 2009, traffic averaged 37,000 crossings per day. Once tolls took effect, daily traffic dropped. In January 2010, daily traffic amounted to 21,000 trips. In April 2011 daily traffic had increased to 23,000 trips. This number rose with

5220-453: The front doors and should produce a valid fare to the bus driver. Fare inspections on buses are normally conducted by Transit Security officers and on occasion by the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service . Failure to produce proof of payment may result in ejection from the bus and/or a fine of $ 173. TransLink also operates a late-night bus service , called NightBus, on 10 routes extending from downtown throughout

5310-404: The inclusion of areas within the regional districts which are not normally considered to be part of the Lower Mainland, notably the lower Fraser Canyon and the heads of Harrison and Pitt Lakes , which are within the FVRD, and Lions Bay and Bowen Island , which are within the Metro Vancouver Regional District. Panethnic breakdown of the Lower Mainland ( 2021 census ) The Lower Mainland

5400-658: The lands around Burrard Inlet. Health system services and governance in the Lower Mainland are provided by Vancouver Coastal Health , serving Vancouver, Richmond and the North Shore, and the mainland coast as far north as the Central Coast region, and Fraser Health , which serves the area of the Lower Mainland east of Vancouver and Richmond. The Lower Mainland is considered to have a high vulnerability to flood risk. There have been two major region-wide floods in 1894 and 1948 , both associated with an extreme spring freshet of

5490-486: The law was changed. Now, all buses, including West Vancouver buses, are designated Fare Paid Zones. The reason for implementing Fare Paid Zones on buses was to remove the responsibility of fare enforcement from bus drivers, as too many of them were being assaulted in disputes over fare payment. Fare enforcement on all buses are now the responsibility of the Transit Police and Transit Security Department. Officers may conduct

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5580-410: The mainland coast of British Columbia that generally comprises the regional districts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley . Home to approximately 3.05   million people as of the 2021 Canadian census , the Lower Mainland contains sixteen of the province's 30 most populous municipalities and approximately 60% of the province's total population. The region is the traditional territory of

5670-503: The nearby Port Mann Bridge for free, as it will be tolled starting in 2013. From 2013 Year-End Financial and Performance Report. Toll revenues will rise to track inflation over the thirty-two-year payback period for the bridge which runs until 2040; the toll increase in 2011 was 3.5% on average. The difference between the toll revenue and TransLink's costs which it is obligated to pay the bridge’s builder each year will come out of TransLink's general operating budget; in 2011 this shortfall

5760-470: The new $ 194   million system, although preliminary data showed that revenue had increased by 7 percent after its introduction. On May 22, 2018, the ability to pay with contactless Visa and Mastercard credit cards (including mobile payment software) was added to Compass readers. Fares paid in this manner are charged at the full cash fares. On March 20, 2020, TransLink suspended fare collection on all buses indefinitely in an effort to respond to

5850-457: The old models built in the early 1980s. The new trolley buses have low floors and are fully wheelchair accessible. Many local routes are served by buses manufactured by New Flyer and Nova Bus . TransLink has begun using hybrid diesel-electric buses . Some suburban routes use Orion highway coaches with high-back reclining seats, overhead reading lights and luggage racks. After a successful pilot project through 2017 and 2018, TransLink announced

5940-446: The operation and maintenance of the MRN, but ownership and operation of the roads remain with the local municipalities. Road, cycling, and pedestrian improvement projects in the MRN are also partially funded by TransLink. As a part of the MRN, TransLink also owns and maintains five bridges within the region: Lower Mainland The Lower Mainland is a geographic and cultural region of

6030-492: The option to pay for their trip in advance by establishing a temporary account with a credit card, and pay a lower toll rate than if they did not establish such an account. The video recognition system costs more for Translink to run over the long term because it requires that humans identify plates that the system is misreading and because of the need to respond to misreads in which people are wrongly billed. There have been numerous media stories of fraud and people being charged by

6120-587: The project was controversial and it led Vancouver city councillor David Cadman to vote against the project when it was presented to the TransLink board for approval. After the opening of the bridge TransLink ceased operation of the Albion Ferry on July 31, 2009, a passenger/vehicle ferry that had been operational since June 7, 1957. The Albion Ferry employed 59 full-time and 18 auxiliary employees for its run between Maple Ridge and Langley. In 2003, annual traffic on

6210-452: The project. The existing funding would only extend the line 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) to Fleetwood in Surrey and add four new stations, terminating at 166th Street. In July 2019, the Mayors' Council voted to extend the Expo Line to Fleetwood using these existing funds. The council also voted to proceed with preparing a detailed business case for the full Surrey–Langley SkyTrain extension, which

6300-472: The purchase of 32 Alexander Dennis Enviro500 double-decker buses . TransLink began using double-decker buses to serve the 555, 620, and 301 routes. More double-decker buses were deployed to more routes starting in September 2020. In 2007, all TransLink buses became designated fare paid zones. Under this system, a rider is required to be in possession of a valid fare (transfer or transit pass) while on board

6390-631: The region's municipalities, in addition to trolley buses , primarily within the city of Vancouver. The District Municipality of West Vancouver operates the Blue Bus system serving West Vancouver and Lions Bay . Transdev is contracted by TransLink to operate nine community shuttle bus routes in Langley and on Bowen Island , in addition to operating all HandyDART services in Metro Vancouver. The schedules, fares, and routes of these services are integrated with other transit services operated by TransLink. Within

6480-515: The region; the southern portion of Squamish traditional territory is also in the region. Its claims overlap those of the Tsleil-waututh, Musqueam, and Kwikwetlem. Other peoples whose territories lie within the region are the Sto:lo , Chehalis , Katzie , Kwantlen , Tsawwassen , and Semiahmoo ; many of their territories overlap with those of the Musqueam, and with each other. Many other peoples of

6570-452: The regional public transportation backbone provided by SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express. Electric trolley buses operate on major routes in the city of Vancouver, with one route extending to neighbouring Burnaby . Most trolley bus routes operate in a north–south direction. Trolley buses receive electricity from a network of overhead wires . In the fall of 2006, TransLink introduced a new generation of electric trolley buses, replacing

6660-628: The rest of the province consider it to be the Sea-to-Sky Corridor south of Whistler and west of Hope . The region is bounded to the north by the Pacific Ranges and to the southeast by the Cascade Mountains , and is traversed from east to west by the Fraser River . Due to its consistency of climate , flora and fauna , geology and land use , "Lower Mainland" is also the name of an ecoregion —a biogeoclimatic region—that comprises

6750-436: The river, 4 of which are 90 m (300 ft) high. The bridge features bike-pedestrian protected lanes on each side. It boasts two golden metal eagle sculptures at the top of the bridge that were fashioned by a German company – after the initial sculptural design by a U.S. firm was abandoned for structural weakness. The project was named through a community process and reflects the well-known lower Fraser Valley landmark,

6840-409: The skill-set to understand major, multi-billion projects." British Columbia New Democratic Party critic David Chudnovsky responded that the reorganization was "ludicrous" and that its purpose was "to get power away from our elected municipal politicians because once in a while they disagree with the aggressive privatization agenda of Mr. Falcon". Chudnovsky was also worried about the consequences of

6930-571: The time of approval, TransLink estimated that it would take until the end of 2007 to convert the entire fleet to the new livery. In 2001, TransLink introduced a new set of long-distance buses under the ExpressBus brand with its own livery. In 2018, TransLink began to replace these buses and the ExpressBus livery was abandoned for a revised version of the new corporate livery introduced in 2005. In 2003, TransLink placed an order for 228 new trolley buses which began to arrive in 2005. These buses featured

7020-401: The total population is statistically significant across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley; proportionally, it is more than four times the national average of 2.1 percent. Regional districts were first created across British Columbia from 1966 to 1967 to form bodies for inter-municipal coordination and to extend municipal-level powers to areas outside existing municipalities. Today,

7110-649: The transit network. Transit security officers are authorized to arrest persons committing criminal offences on or in relation to any TransLink property, under the Canadian Criminal Code . They are also authorized to enforce the Transit Conduct and Safety Regulations and the Transit Tariff Bylaw. The Transit Security department is also responsible for the CCTV camera system aboard buses. On November 14, 2006,

7200-656: The village of Harrison Hot Springs . It also includes many unincorporated areas in the Fraser Valley and along the west side of the Fraser Canyon (the Fraser Canyon is not in the Lower Mainland). Regional district powers are very limited and other localized provincial government services are delivered through other regionalization systems. The traditional territories of the Musqueam and Tsleil'waututh lie completely within

7290-412: The west end to 2,000 millimetres (79 in) in the eastern end of the Fraser Valley and at higher elevations. Maximum precipitation occurs as rain in winter. Less than ten percent falls as snow at sea level but the amount of snowfall increases significantly with elevation. As of the 2021 census, the population of the Lower Mainland core area totals 2,966,830: These figures are slightly inflated due to

7380-617: Was also the first electronic toll bridge in Western Canada. Drivers had the option of opening a tolling account. This includes an electronic tolling device, or transponder, to be mounted on the vehicle's windshield. It detects usage of the bridge, allowing toll charges to be automatically billed to the driver's account, streamlining the tolling process. Vehicles without an electronic tolling device have their license plates identified through an automated video recognition system, and will be billed accordingly. Drivers of such vehicles also have

7470-598: Was approved in June 2018, and phase three is scheduled for approval in 2019. In November 2018, the Surrey light rail system , including the Surrey–Newton–Guildford (SNG) route and the Surrey–Langley route, was rejected by Surrey City Council after a municipal government change that saw Doug McCallum return to the city's mayorship. McCallum had campaigned on cancelling the plans for light rail and instead extending

7560-692: Was created in 1998 as the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (GVTA) and was fully implemented in April 1999 by the Government of British Columbia to replace BC Transit in the Greater Vancouver Regional District and assume many transportation responsibilities previously held by the provincial government. TransLink is responsible for various modes of transportation in the Metro Vancouver region as well as

7650-426: Was estimated at $ 33 million. Under its contract, TransLink has agreed to pay the private consortium which built, operates, and maintains the bridge a monthly fee of $ 500,000 per month in 2009 which rose to $ 4 million per month in 2011, and will top out at $ 4.8 million per month in 2015 – a monthly fee that will stay steady until the contract ends in 2041. TransLink (British Columbia) TransLink , formally

7740-401: Was expected to be completed by early 2020. Revenue service to Fleetwood was projected to start in late 2025; however, the project has been postponed to 2028. A geographic map of the major routes of TransLink's network Buses in Metro Vancouver are operated by three companies. Coast Mountain Bus Company operates regular transit buses, generally powered by diesel or natural gas, in most of

7830-707: Was scheduled to be rolled out between 2018 and 2027, and it included the construction of the Broadway SkyTrain extension, the construction of the Surrey–Newton–Guildford LRT, the launch of two more B-Lines, the replacement of the Pattullo Bridge, pre-construction of the Surrey–Langley LRT, and more rail and station upgrades on the existing SkyTrain network. It also included continued service improvements on buses and HandyDART, and continued funding for improved roads, cycling paths, and sidewalks. Phase three

7920-468: Was simply unprepared to pay market rates for skilled workers and wanted to exploit foreigners. The Golden Ears Bridge had a fixed total construction cost of $ 808 million ( CAD ), well over the initial budget of $ 600 million. The project was financed as a Public Private Partnership (P3) through which TransLink is leasing back the bridge over a 35-year timeframe. The P3 was administered by the provincial government organization Partnerships BC . This aspect of

8010-496: Was structured to be delivered in three phases over ten years, starting in April 2017. Phase one was scheduled to be rolled out between 2017 and 2026, and it included the launch of five new B-Lines, and service improvements on buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and HandyDART. TransLink planned to purchase 171 more buses, 50 new SkyTrain cars, five new West Coast Express passenger cars, and one new SeaBus vessel. It also provided funding for improved roads, cycling paths, and sidewalks. Phase two

8100-508: Was supported by environmental groups, student groups and nearly every local government. Opposition to the tax was headed by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation who drew the public's attention to purported misuse of funds by TransLink. Supporters countered with other analyses that showed TransLink to be ranked first by cost per service hour, service hours per $ 1   million and service hours per capita. The Yes campaign outspent

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