It's spring time in the Tri-Cities and some local residents may be pencilling in a trip to the beach when warmer weather is in the forecast.
Buntzen Lake and White Pine Beach are very popular among regional and out-of-town visitors, and upcoming changes to transit schedules are set to allow easier travel to and from Coquitlam.
And perhaps avoid potential parking clusters, too.
Today (April 4), TransLink unveiled its spring services for Tri-City commuters — and others across Metro Vancouver — set to take effect as early as April 18.
Buses will be available every 30 minutes between Coquitlam Central Station and White Pine Beach (#150) on weekends and holidays, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Starting May 7, also for weekends and holidays, a bus will run every 60 minutes back-and-forth between the same station and Buntzen Lake (#179), 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"Transit is a green, cost-effective way to access the natural beauty our region has to offer," reads a TransLink release about the changes, which will also see buses from certain loops to other outdoor recreation areas like Stanley Park, English Bay, Grouse Mountain and Lonsdale Quay.
"Parking can be hard to find near many of these destinations. We are pleased to provide these options for our customers."
TransLink also adjusts its services quarterly to reflect changes in seasonal travel patterns based on demand from previous years.
While the current service will be subject to weekends and holidays, TransLink is likely to implement more routes on weekdays when the season switches to summer in June.
White Pine Beach is located along Sasamat Lake in Belcarra Regional Park, while Buntzen Lake is at the base of Eagle Mountain in Anmore.
EARLY BIRDS AND NIGHT OWLS
As well, TransLink says it's changing its Millennium Line/Evergreen Extension hours of operation in anticipation of the opening of its $300-million maintenance centre — located at 225 North Rd. in Coquitlam.
Starting April 18, service will start 40 minutes later and end 40 minutes earlier between Production Way-University and Lafarge Lake-Douglas and SkyTrains will be stored at a new facility on Falcon Drive between the Inlet Centre and Coquitlam Central stations.
"Customers who are affected by the change can take the N9 NightBus, which provides service coverage along this corridor during these times," states TransLink.
The new Millennium Line hours will be as follows:
- Weekdays
- 5:48 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Last westbound trip will stop at Lougheed Town Centre
- Saturdays
- 6:48 a.m. to 12:59 a.m.
- Last westbound trip will stop at Lougheed Town Centre
- Sundays/Holidays
- 7:48 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- Last westbound trip will stop at Lougheed Town Centre
For more information on TransLink's spring route changes, you're encouraged to visit the transit authority's website.
