More frequent SeaBus service between North Vancouver and downtown Vancouver began this week as part of a mayors’ council for transit improvements – but only on Sundays and holidays.
SeaBus service has been doubled on those days – from once every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Expanded service started Jan. 15.
The improvements were among those highlighted at a TransLink press conference Tuesday, attended by North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson, representing the federal government, as well as regional mayors and provincial officials.
SeaBus service is slated to improve further this summer – when 15-minute service will be put in place seven days a week. TransLink has to hire staff and train them before those service levels can be put in place, said Chris Bryan, spokesman for TransLink.
The eventual plan is for 10-minute SeaBus service, but that won’t happen until a new $34-million vessel is built, which will likely take two years. That process has not started yet.
Bus service improvements, however, are expected to be in by April, after additional drivers are hired and trained, said Bryan. The mayors’ plan calls for more frequent buses on the 229, 240, 250, 254, 255, 256 and 257 routes. A new B-line bus running the length of Marine Drive and Third Street is also part of the plan, but likely won’t start until 2019.
The TransLink mayors’ council voted unanimously in November to approve the first $2-billion phase of the plan.
The federal government will pay $370 million towards the plan while the province has committed to $246 million. The remainder will come from an increase in property taxes, gas taxes, sale of surplus TransLink properties, an increase in fares and new development cost charges.
