Coast Mountain Bus Company

Coast Mountain Bus Company
Parent	TransLink
Founded	April 1, 1999
Headquarters	700 – 287 Nelson's Court; New Westminster, BC
Service area	Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Service type	Transit bus, express bus, trolley bus, express coach, shuttle bus, passenger ferry
Routes	220 (bus); 1 (ferry);
Hubs	6 transit centres
Fleet	Bus: 1,451; Ferry: 4 ;
Daily ridership	730,000
Chief executive	Michael McDaniel (president & general manager)
Website	coastmountainbus.com

Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) is the contract operator for bus transit services in Metro Vancouver and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority, known locally as TransLink, the entity responsible for public transit in the region. The buses form part of the integrated transit network of the Lower Mainland.

History

The Coast Mountain Bus Company was created on April 1, 1999, concurrent with the implementation of TransLink. Bus service in Metro Vancouver was formerly provided by BC Transit, the provincial government crown corporation that operates transit outside of Metro Vancouver.

Services

Coast Mountain Bus Company operates the buses throughout Greater Vancouver, except for some routes in West Vancouver, which are run by its own municipal transit system. One contract operator provides select Community Shuttle service, and another contract operator provides HandyDART services:

220 bus routes in total

This includes:

Regular transit service
School specials
Express coach service to/from suburban municipalities
Trolley bus service – 13 routes primarily in the City of Vancouver
NightBus – special late-night routes that generally start service at approximately 1 am
B-Line express bus (1 route)
RapidBus express bus (5 routes)
Community shuttles – routes operating minibuses that connect to the larger ones
SeaBus – passenger ferry across the Burrard Inlet

The regional transit network including bus routes, service levels and fares are set by TransLink.

B-Line

B-Lines are a type of express bus route with bus rapid transit elements using mostly 60-foot (18 m) low-floor articulated buses. All B-Line routes currently in operation feature all-door boarding as of January 1, 2018.

One route is currently in operation:

99 B-Line: Broadway between UBC Exchange and Commercial–Broadway station, via Broadway–City Hall station

Four routes no longer operate:

95 B-Line: Waterfront station to Simon Fraser University's Burnaby campus. This service was rebranded as the R5 Hastings St RapidBus.
96 B-Line: From Newton Exchange to Guildford Mall. This service was rebranded as the R1 King George Blvd RapidBus.
97 B-Line: From Coquitlam Central station to Lougheed Town Centre station. It was replaced by the Millennium Line's Evergreen Extension.
98 B-Line: Granville Street and No. 3 Road between Burrard station and Richmond Centre. It was replaced by the Canada Line.

RapidBus

On January 6, 2020, two of the existing B-Line routes (the 95 and the 96) were rebranded as RapidBus routes (routes R5 and R1 respectively), and the following routes began service:

R3 Lougheed Hwy: Lougheed Highway between Coquitlam Central station in Coquitlam and Haney Place Exchange in Maple Ridge. It complements the existing 701 route servicing local stops.
R4 41st Ave: 41st Avenue between UBC Exchange and Joyce–Collingwood station, entirely within Vancouver. It replaced the 43 Express.

A fifth RapidBus was introduced on April 6, 2020:

R2 Marine Dr: Marine Drive, 3rd Street and Main Street between Park Royal Exchange in West Vancouver and Phibbs Exchange in North Vancouver, replacing the 239.

On January 2, 2024, a sixth RapidBus was added:

R6 Scott Rd: Scott Road station to Newton Exchange within Surrey

Fare Paid Zones

A Fare Paid Zone is a clearly marked territory on which passengers must have valid proof of payment and present it for inspection upon request of a transit employee. Initially, these were only in effect in SkyTrain and SeaBus stations and vehicles until June 25, 2007, when the law was changed. Now, all buses, including West Vancouver Blue Buses, are designated Fare Paid Zones. The reason for implementing Fare Paid Zones on buses was to remove the responsibility of fare enforcement from bus drivers, as too many of them were being assaulted in disputes over fare payment. Fare enforcement on all buses are now the responsibility of the Transit Police and Transit Security Department. Officers may board a bus at any time and conduct a fare inspection. Those who fail to pay the fare and retain proof of payment could be removed from the bus and/or fined $173.

Facilities

Current facilities

Burnaby Transit Centre: Located at 3855 Kitchener Street, Burnaby, it was built in 1986. This transit centre is split into two facilities (north and south,) separated by Kitchener Street. Serving the North Shore, parts of Burnaby and Vancouver, Burnaby Transit Centre is also home to many support services such as Environmental Services, Trolley Overhead, Facilities Maintenance, Fire Prevention, and Non-Revenue Vehicle Maintenance. Beginning in September 2016, North Shore transit routes operate out of this transit centre. Fleet Overhaul at this location is where the majority of body repair and repainting is carried out, as well as engine and component overhaul, while minor repair is most likely carried out at the bus's home garage.
Hamilton Transit Centre: Located at 4111 Boundary Road, Richmond, this facility opened in September 2016, and took over operations of various South Delta, Richmond, Burnaby and New Westminster routes. It is the second transit centre to have abilities to house CNG buses.
Port Coquitlam Transit Centre: Located at 2061 Kingsway Avenue, Port Coquitlam, it opened in August 1978. It was the first garage to support Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles. Serves the Tri-Cities, New Westminster, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows areas.
Richmond Transit Centre: Located at 11133 Coppersmith Way, Richmond, it opened on September 4, 2000. It is the main base for the suburban routes served by Orion V highway coaches and local routes in Richmond, White Rock, Delta, and some Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver routes.
Surrey Transit Centre: Located at 7740 132nd Street, Surrey, it opened in May 1975. It is the base for most Surrey, Langley, and North Delta services and some White Rock and Ladner services. As of May 2018, it is the third transit centre to have abilities to house CNG buses.
Vancouver Transit Centre: Located at 9149 Hudson Street, Vancouver, it opened on September 2, 2006. It is the garage for Vancouver bus services. This garage serves the trolley routes, as well as most of Vancouver's buses.

Former facilities

North Vancouver Transit Centre (1946–2016): This depot, built in 1945, was located at 536 East 3rd Street, North Vancouver. It was the base for most North Shore services not operated by West Vancouver Municipal Transit. It closed in September 2016, and all North Vancouver routes now operate from Burnaby Transit Centre.
Oakridge Transit Centre (1948–2016): Located at 949 West 41st Avenue, it opened in 1948. Oakridge was to be decommissioned and likely sold for re-development beginning in 2007. However, with the arrival of several New Flyer and Nova Bus orders starting in 2006, it remained an active support facility, conducting retrofitting on these vehicles in preparation for revenue service. Additionally, the Oakridge yard was home to many retired coaches, including E901/902 trolleys, New Flyer D40s, and other vehicles. In the second quarter of 2008, as part of a re-organization and expansion at Burnaby Transit Centre, Oakridge took over many of the tasks formerly located at the other facilities. The Community Shuttle service was one of the groups moved, making Oakridge an active transit centre once again. However, in September 2016, the shuttle operations were shifted to the new Hamilton Transit Centre. The property has since been sold for $440 million to a developer.

Management and personnel

Employees

CMBC's 5200+ employees are spread across Metro Vancouver.

The 3700 bus operators, represented by Unifor Local 111, and the 1100 maintenance employees, represented by Unifor Local 2200, work out of the six regional depots.
The SeaBus staff of 80, including marine attendants, deck officers, engineers, coordinators (also represented by Unifor Local 2200), and office staff work from their North Vancouver location.
The 600 staff involved in scheduling, training, operational planning, and administrative services are spread throughout the system, as well as at CMBC's head office in New Westminster are represented by the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 378.
In October 2008, CMBC was named one of BC's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc.
Coast Mountain Bus Company operates the Transit Security Department for TransLink. Transit security officers are mobile, ride buses and trains, inspect fares, issue fines and patrol TransLink properties (bus loops and exchanges, SkyTrain stations, SeaBus, etc.) and are authorized to arrest persons who commit criminal offences on or in relation to any TransLink properties per the Criminal Code. Transit security officers are also authorized to enforce Transit Conduct and Safety Regulations, as well as the Transit Tariff Bylaw under the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act (SCBCTA Act).

Labour disputes

In 2001, over 3,400 workers rallied in a strike and disrupted transit service for 123 days, from April 1, 2001, to August 1, 2001. SeaBus service was not affected.

Fleet roster

Current fleet

The following fleet is owned by TransLink and operated and maintained by CMBC.

Order year	Manufacturer	Model	Powertrain (engine/transmission)	Propulsion	Fleet (qty.)	Notes
<<< 40 feet >>>
2005–2007	NFI	E40LF E40LFR	Vossloh Kiepe propulsion and Škoda traction motor	Electric trolley bus	2101–2199, 2201–2289 (188)	2105 was involved in a fatal MVA with a stolen van on April 8, 2014 2237 was involved in a serious crash with an unmarked Vancouver Police SUV on June 4, 2021, at 41st Avenue between Knight Street and Dumfries Street
2006	NFI	C40LFR	Cummins Westport C-Gas Plus Cummins Westport ISL-G Allison WB-400R6	CNG	3309–3358 (50)	3344 was T-boned by a pickup truck near Moody Centre Station on September 12, 2018.
2006	NFI	D40LFR	Cummins ISL Allison WB-400R6	Diesel	7447–7499, 7501–7504 (57)
2007	NovaBus	LFS	Cummins ISL ZF 6HP592C	Diesel	9601–9699, 9701–9725 (124)	9621 crashed into a Salvation Army in New Westminster in 2008.
2007–2008	OBI	V (05.501)	Cummins ISL ZF 6HP592C	Diesel	9277–9285 (9)
2008	NovaBus	LFS	Cummins ISL ZF 6HP554C	Diesel	9726–9791 (66)
2008	NovaBus	LFS	Cummins ISL ZF 6HP554C	Diesel	9797–9799 (3)
2009–2010	NovaBus	LFS HEV	Cummins ISB Allison Hybrid EP 40	Hybrid	9401–9499, 9501–9542 (141)	9438 went rolling down a hill and crashed into a power pole on Gilmore Avenue in March 2020 9449 involved in a major MVA along Marine Drive in February 2017. 9479 involved in a fatal stabbing incident at Aberdeen Station in July 2019 9506 caught fire on Burrard Street in September 2011 and returned in January 2013
2009–2010	NovaBus	LFS	Cummins ISL ZF 6HP592C	Diesel	9543–9581, 9583–9590 (47)
2014	NFI	XN40	Cummins Westport ISL G ZF 6AP1400B	CNG	14001–14045 (45)
2016	NFI	XD40	Cummins ISL9 ZF 6AP1400B	Diesel	16101–16140 (40)
2016–2017	NFI	XN40	Cummins Westport ISL G ZF 6AP1400B	CNG	16001–16051 (51)	16017 involved in a fatal MVA with a pedestrian on 6th St at 16th Ave in Burnaby in December 2018; subsequently suspended from service until late May 2019.
2018	NFI	XN40	Cummins L9N ZF 6AP1400B	CNG	18101–18206 (106)
2018	NovaBus	LFS HEV	Cummins B6.7 BAE Systems Hybridrive HDS 200	Diesel hybrid	18301–18404 (104)
2018	NovaBus	LFS Suburban	Cummins L9 ZF EcoLife	Diesel	18451–18473 (23)
2019	ADL	Enviro500		Diesel	19401–19432 (32)
2019–2020	NFI	XN40		CNG	19101–19147 (47)
2021	ADL	Enviro500		Diesel	21401–21425 (25)
2022	NovaBus	LFSe+	BAE Systems Series-EV HDS 200	Battery electric	23201–23215
<<< 60 feet >>>
2007	NFI	D60LFR	Cummins ISM Allison WB-500R6	Diesel	8102–8117 (16)
2007–2008	NFI	E60LFR	Vossloh Kiepe propulsion and Škoda traction motor	Electric trolley bus	2501–2540 (40)
2009	NFI	E60LFR	Vossloh Kiepe propulsion and Škoda traction motor	Electric trolley bus	2541–2574 (34)	2553 struck and killed a pedestrian at Main Street Science World station on September 19, 2012
2009	NFI	DE60LFR	Cummins ISL Allison Hybrid EP 50	Hybrid	8118–8156 (39)	8146 involved in a fatal crash in Downtown East Side on July 7, 2018 8152 involved in a fatal crash in Burnaby near Hastings and Holdom Avenue on May 23, 2018
2012–2013	NFI	XDE60	Cummins ISL9 Allison Hybrid H 50 EP	Hybrid	12001–12025 (25)	12002 had a suspicious package found on board at Bridgeport Station in June 2020 12024 used as test platform for new "RapidBus" livery, later given same livery as 2015+ units.
2015–2016	NFI	XDE60	Cummins ISL9 Allison Hybrid H 50 EP	Hybrid	15001–15021 (21)	15006 was stolen from Surrey Central Station on January 2, 2020, while the driver was using the toilet. Bus was pulled over and recovered on Fraser Hwy and Pacific Hwy. 15013 involved in a head on collision with a Ford Mustang in February 2019 outside of Surrey Central Station
2016	NFI	XDE60	Cummins ISL9 Allison Hybrid H 50 EP	Hybrid	16201–16226 (26)
2018	NFI	XDE60	Cummins L9 BAE Systems Hybridrive HDS 300	Hybrid	18001–18063 (63)	First units in new RapidBus livery
2019	NFI	XDE60	Cummins L9 BAE Systems Hybridrive HDS 300	Hybrid	19001–19047 (47)	19004 involved in a fatal crash on I-90 near Seattle during delivery on March 22, 2019
2021	NFI	XDE60		Hybrid	21001–21025 (25)
2022	NFI	XDE60		Hybrid	22001–22015 (15)
2023	NFI	XDE60		Hybrid	23001–23015 (15)
2024	NFI	XDE60		Hybrid	24001–24016 (16)

Community Shuttle

Year	Builder	Model	Chassis	Powertrain (engine/transmission)	Propulsion	Fleet series	Notes
2016–2018	Girardin	G5	Chevrolet G4500	GM Vortec 6000/L96 GM 6L90-E with Telma retarder	Gasoline	16501–16562 (except 16512), 17506–17564, 18510–18527	17518 struck and killed a pedestrian near White Rock Centre on July 3, 2020 18526 struck a pedestrian on Hastings Street in Burnaby in June 2019
2019–2020	ARBOC	Spirit of Mobility		GM Vortec 6000/L96 GM 6L90-E	Gasoline	19503–19535, 19538–19549
2019	Girardin	G5		GM Vortec 6000/L96 GM 6L90-E	Gasoline	19550–19554
2020–2021	ARBOC	Spirit of Freedom		GM Vortec 6000/L96 GM 6L90-E	Gasoline	21501–21562

SeaBus

Year	Manufacturer	Propulsion	Name
1977	Victoria	Diesel	Burrard Beaver
2009	Esquimalt Graving Dock (Victoria)	Diesel	Burrard Pacific Breeze
2014	Damen Shipyards Group in Netherlands	Diesel	Burrard Otter II