Public transit in Vancouver is as cheap and convenient as it gets. But, in reality, there are many other types of transportation apart from SkyTrain and buses — still accessible to residents and visitors in the public’s eyes, even though everyone sees SkyTrain and buses, and they’re always available to get around.

For visitors and international students, this article will introduce the public and other transportation systems in the Greater Vancouver area.

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Table of Contents

What Is TransLink?

The Metro Vancouver (Greater Vancouver) area transportation network is a statutory authority and its transportation network is TransLink. The major Vancouver public transit system, and public transport, major roads and bridges.

TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s public transit system, is the 22nd best out of 60 critical regions in the world for ranking public transit networks. It can also be called the best public transit system in Canada.

Zone Fare System

The Vancouver public transit systems are all serviced by the SkyTrain, SeaBus and buses using the same zone fare system while West Coast Express uses another zone fare system. Depending on the distance away from the city center of the origin and destination of a journey the fare is calculated based on number of zones traveled.

Fares for buses are 1 zone and SkyTrain fares are number of zones that the passenger will travel in (1, 2 or 3 zones depending on distance traveled).

A Compass Card can be used to pay for the fares of passengers. At least for frequent transit users, it’s cheaper than buying single use compass tickets, offering discounts on fares.

90-min Valid Time

With most fares on the Vancouver public transit system, one single fare is valid for 90 minutes once purchased. At that time passengers, literally, can ‘switch modes’ within the system using such techniques as hopping from a bus to the SkyTrain or from the SeaBus to a bus, without having to pay any extra.

Nevertheless it must be stated that a single fare only permits travel within the number of zones purchased at the time this fare is purchased. Additional zones traveled beyond the number of zones specified on their fare will require an additional fare for the passenger. In addition, if the 90 minutes time expires before the passenger reaches their final destination, the passenger will have to pay a new fare.

Discounted Fare Policy

Travel weekends and holidays will have a discounted flat rate. This fare policy applies all day on weekends and holidays, and applies for journeys starting after 6:30 p.m. on weekdays. The flat rate is equivalent to a one zone fare and allows passengers to travel on the entire SkyTrain system for a pre determined single fare.

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Vancouver Public Transit Systems

The Vancouver public transit system can be summarized as buses, SkyTrain, West Coast Express, and SeaBus.

Bus

Vancouver’s public transportation network is one of the best in Canada. TransLink (the public transportation agency) has a range of bus routes around Greater Vancouver.

You can use 2 ways to check your bus schedule. But the bus services under inclement weather may not have live info.

Download the Transit app
Use Google Maps

There are 3 ways to pay your bus fare. Passengers only need to tap the card/ticket on the card reader, or place the coins or bills into the fare machine (no changes available) near the bus doors.

Compass Card / Compass Ticket
Contactless Payment Cards / Mobile Wallet
Cash

The “Compass Card” is the most convenient payment method. Compass Cards can be purchased from compass vending machines at SkyTrain, SeaBus and West Coast Express stations, the TransLink Customer Service Centre at Waterfront Station and at major BC Ferries Routes.

Although there are 3 fare zones across Metro Vancouver, all bus transit only counts as a 1-zone fare. If a passenger uses Compass Card to pay the bus fare, the 1-zone fare will be CAD2.50.

SkyTrain

SkyTrain is the rapid transit in Vancouver. A ground and underground rail system that operates above and below the ground is also one of the fastest modes of transportation in Metro Vancouver. Head downtown to Vancouver in 18 minutes from the Create Career College Campus on Burnaby.

Currently, the SkyTrain consists of 3 lines.

Expo Line: It is the oldest line that serves the cities of Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey. It operates 2 routes: 1 from Waterfront Station (downtown Vancouver) to King George Station (Surrey); 1 from Waterfront Station (downtown Vancouver) to Production Way–University Station (Burnaby).
Millennium Line: It travels between east Vancouver, Burnaby, Port Moody, and Coquitlam. It runs from VCC-Clark Station in Vancouver to Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station in Coquitlam.
Canada Line: It connects downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and Richmond. It runs from Waterfront Station in Vancouver to Richmond-Brighouse Station in Richmond.

Fares on the SkyTrain in Vancouver are zone based which means the fare is based on how many zones a passenger travels over in their trip. The total fare is divided into 3 fare zones and fares of each zone do not depend on line passenger uses.

If a passenger travels within one zone, they pay a 1-zone fare. If they travel through two zones, they pay a 2-zone fare, and so on.

The fare for passengers using a Compass Card to get a ride on SkyTrain is as follow:

1-Zone Fare: CAD2.50
2-Zone Fare: CAD3.65
3-Zone Fare: CAD4.70

SeaBus

The public transportation service to downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver is SeaBus which crosses Burrard Inlet. It isn’t just tourists who use it, Vancouver residents use it on their daily commutes to work or school.

When it happens, there is up to 395 passengers in the SeaBus and it can run up to every 15-30 minutes. The trip from one side to the other takes around 12 minutes and has amazing view as you cross the bridge with the Vancouver skyline, the North Shore mountains and the Burrard Inlet.

Waterfront (downtown Vancouver) to Lonsdale Quay (North Vancouver) on the SeaBus is 2 zone fare. Compass Card passengers will pay CAD3.65 for the transit fare.

West Coast Express

TransLink operates and manages West Coast Express, a commuter rail service covering British Columbia, operating on tracks from Everett in Washington State to British Columbia at Langley. It offers passenger services between Vancouver’s suburbs and city of Mission.

Bi-level trains come equipped with washrooms, bike racks, luggage racks, and are equipped with wide range of amenities. It’s a cheap mode of travel for employees who don’t like to drive during busy hours on weekdays between Vancouver and its suburbs on the busy highways. The train also allows tourists to explore the Fraser Valley region.

For the fares of the Vancouver public transit method, please refer to the WCE Full Fare Pricing Table for details.

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Other Transportation Methods in Vancouver

There are other transportation methods in Vancouver besides public transit, including taxis, creekside ferries, bike rentals, car rentals, and more.

Creekside Ferries

Two of the most important ferry services in Vancouver are False Creek Ferries and Aquabus which provide ferry service around False Creek, a beautiful inlet right in the centre of the city..

Aquabus has 8 dock and False Creek Ferries has 9. Vancouver’s most convenient form of transportation is both ferry services making it easy to see some of Vancouver’s most visited attractions from the water.

False Creek ferries and Aquabus each have a good track record of reliable service with frequent and fairly cheap fares. As a way to get around Vancouver’s top sights and a different perspective, they are a convenient way of getting about the city.

Bicycle

Morning cycling through English Bay and Stanley Park is highly recommended.

There are several bike-sharing services in Metro Vancouver. You can use it conveniently, such as renting a bicycle near your home and returning it near your destination.

Mobi by Shaw Go is Vancouver’s most popular bike-sharing service. There are different kinds of rental methods, from pay-per-ride to annual passes. So you can choose a plan according to your purpose and usage.

Car

One of the most convenient transit methods in Vancouver is driving! Suburban areas and those who need to commute long distances will find this convenient and flexible way to travel.

When travel by car, we can go directly to the destination and not have to transfer, or wait to transfer. Also, we have more time control over the journey and can take more things with us.

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Rental Car/Car Sharing

Rental cars are recommended for short-term stays. There are many rental car companies that offer daily or monthly rentals.

But if you only use the car for a few hours, a car-sharing service is much more suitable. Vancouver’s most popular car-sharing service “Evo” can be rented for minutes or hours.

Evo Vancouver car rental service is one advantage because, using the car for only as long as you need it, you don’t have to get those extra fees that come with car insurance, maintenance, and fuel. What this means is that those customers typically don’t have to pay as much as they would on a car – especially if they are only needed for occasional use.

In addition, Evo cars are scattered through the city, which means they are easily available for Evo customers who urgently need a car. All vehicles also include bike and ski racks for use outdoors.

Car Lease/Purchase

Leasing or buying a car is a good option for long-term stays in Vancouver.

For some people, buying a car is an opportunity to feel a sense of ownership and control over their transportation, but there are expenses that come with the purchase — like insurance, maintenance and parking. International students may also struggle to buy a car, as they may not have a credit history or are not even considered permanent residents.

Students who need a car for a relatively short period of time may prefer to lease a car but there are limitations including mileage restrictions and weather you pay fees for what you did to damage the car.

Taxi

Despite the fact that taxi services vary from city to city, such as, Yellow Cab in the Downtown Vancouver area, Richmond Taxi in the Richmond area, Bonny’s Taxi in Burnaby, etc. If you need a taxi you can either call the taxi company or download their app.

Plus there are ride hailing services like Uber, Lyft, and Kabu. What’s nice about this is you can reserve a ride and pay very conveniently just on your smartphone. The fare may be higher if there aren’t any cars around or before and after peak times.

Conclusion

Lastly, Vancouver has a great public transportation system providing people ways to get around the city. The good news is that moving around Vancouver doesn’t have to break your budget, and there are lots of different ways to travel by bus, express railway and SkyTrain or SeaBus.

Commuters and travelers find the zone fare system flexible, and the way that a user can pay with a Compass Card makes payment easier and offers discounts for those that ride regularly. It is possible to explore the city using the resources offered by the Vancouver public transit system, to reduce traffic congestion and diminish environmental impact.

The other ways of transportation in Vancouver include the Vancouver public transit systems, and other ways apart from that.

For example, bike sharing services like Mobi and LimeBike offer a great and environmentally sound way to make short trips around the city. Additionally, if you prefer a personal ride rather than ride sharing such as Uber and Lyft services, they are available. A car rental service like Evo or Modo can be a good option if you are taking a journey of more than 30mins or taking up to a weekend away from home as you won’t necessarily need a car.

When all transportation options are considered, people can pick the most appropriate for themselves and help shape a more sustainable city in Vancouver.

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Vancouver Public Transit System: SkyTrain, Bus, and 6 More

Vancouver Public Transit System: SkyTrain, Bus, and 6 More