PORT COQUITLAM, BC – Jan. 23, 2020…Port Coquitlam residents are invited to take a break from the morning commute Jan. 29 to celebrate the latest boost to local transit services – the new RapidBus on Lougheed Highway.

Hot drinks, giveaways, music and activities are planned for the city’s RapidBus community celebration being held next Wednesday, 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the new bus shelter on Lougheed Highway at McMitchell Park, at the foot of the pedestrian overpass near Shaughessy Street.

Launched earlier this month, RapidBus is a new high-frequency, limited-stop bus service running all day along Lougheed Highway, linking Port Coquitlam riders with Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.

“This is a much-needed new service that improves our connection to the region and supports our growing community,” Mayor Brad West said. “The city supported this service and we want to make sure our residents take advantage of it. I’ve tried it out and it is definitely a faster and more reliable way to get around – a key focus for the city.”

Mayor West, City Council members and TransLink officials will arrive at Wednesday’s celebration on one of the distinctive green 60-foot articulated buses. Residents are welcome to join them as they board at 7:05 a.m. at Ottawa Street – Port Coquitlam’s second RapidBus stop.

The event will include remarks from the Mayor and MLA Mike Farnworth, a ribbon cutting, hot drinks supplied by Tim Hortons, live music, giveaways, a photobooth and the Spin the Wheel prize game. TransLink and city staff will also be available to provide information and answer questions.

The R3 RapidBus route, which travels back and forth along Lougheed Highway between Coquitlam Central Station and Haney Place in Maple Ridge, was one of the first four rapid bus services launched by TransLink on Jan. 6.

The service is up to 20 per cent faster and rivals the speed of SkyTrain, due to higher frequencies (every 10 minutes during peak times and 15 minutes at others), fewer stops, all-door boarding and transit-priority infrastructure that allows buses to bypass traffic lineups. The Port Coquitlam stretch, for example, has a bus priority lane between Oxford and Ottawa Streets, and a queue-jump lane at the Ottawa intersection.

RapidBus bus stops feature digital signposts with visual and audio information about the next bus. The stop near Shaughnessy Street also includes a new covered transit shelter, part of the city’s bus shelter agreement to upgrade bus benches and shelters throughout the city.  

“This is one of the largest transportation investments made in Port Coquitlam since the arrival of the Westcoast Express,” Mayor West added. “It’s a game-changer that could help encourage more people to use transit – and an important piece of the bigger picture as we continue working to improve access for our residents and businesses. 

As part of its capital projects in 2020, the city is compiling a business case to advocate for the introduction of SkyTrain to the community.

The work is part of Port Coquitlam’s ongoing transportation enhancements that have included upgrades to bus stops throughout the community, from the rollout of modern new shelters and benches to accessibility improvements.

The city’s 2020-21 capital plan represented Port Coquitlam’s largest one-time investment to date in neighbourhood infrastructure such as roads, curbing, sidewalks and utilities.

The city is also making annual investments in active transportation projects that support pedestrians, cyclists and transit users of all ages and abilities, including more sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use paths and safer road crossings.

For information about Port Coquitlam’s capital works, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/capitalprojects. For information about the new RapidBus service and local R3 route, visit www.translink.ca/rapidbus.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca