A new B-Line bus service is expected to reduce travel times between Maple Ridge and Coquitlam from the current one-hour trip to 37 minutes, according to TransLink.
Daniel Freeman, the manager of rapid bus service, said some infrastructure upgrades, like an HOV bus lane and queue-jumping pullouts for transit vehicles at major intersections, would help speed up the route.
"That means it starts becoming competitive with driving," he said during a presentation to Coquitlam council July 9. "People will have a better option for their journey."
But Freeman acknowledged that road construction does not fall under TransLink's jurisdiction and he said it is looking for buy-in and support from municipalities to assist with the B-Line rollout.
He noted that one of the most congested choke points along the future route, which is expected to follow Lougheed Highway between Haney Place and Coquitlam Central Station, is between Westwood Street and the Coquitlam bus loop. That short distance, he said, can take bus drivers currently routed through the area more than 11 minutes to cover.
"It can be very slow and unreliable," Freeman said.
Joszef Dioszeghy, Coquitlam's general manager of engineering and public works, said city staff have been in discussions with TransLink about improvements in connection with the new B-Line. But he noted that while the B-Line mainly benefits residents in Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge, road improvements to accommodate the bus route would also improve traffic congestion for local transit users and automobile commuters as well.
"To be honest, the benefits to Coquitlam residents are far less than the other communities impacted by this B-Line," he said. "All the improvement and changes… will on the one hand benefit not only the B-Line, but other transit lines and transit users without negatively impacting the general traffic. That is where our focus is currently."
Most city councillors were receptive to TransLink's request for support.
Coun. Terry O'Neill said residents are increasingly drawn eastward and would benefit from shorter transit trips to neighbouring municipalities while Coun. Chris Wilson noted improved B-Line service is important for the regional transportation network.
"We have benefitted from TransLink and we have an obligation to help those east of us to help with improved transportation," Wilson said, later adding: "It will hopefully take a whole bunch of cars off the road."
Meanwhile, Freeman said the new B-Line service has the support of the community. He pointed to a survey conducted during the first phase of consultation, which found that 81% of respondents approved of the new route and its location.
In March, TransLink announced it would be introducing 58 new large-capacity buses that would add four new B-Line routes — including one through the Tri-Cities — to its regional transit network. A press release at the time said the service expansion would put 207,000 people within walking distance of transit that will run every 10 minutes or better during peak periods and 15 minutes or better during off-peak periods, with the service available 18 hours a day. The service is expected to be operational in the fall of 2019.
@gmckennaTC
