Coast Mountain Bus Company
Parent | TransLink |
---|---|
Founded | April 1, 1999 |
Headquarters |
700-287 Nelson's Court New Westminster, B.C. |
Service area | Metro Vancouver, Canada |
Service type | transit bus, express bus, trolley bus, express coach, shuttle bus, passenger ferry |
Routes |
Bus: 195 SeaBus Ferry: 1 |
Hubs | 7 transit centres |
Fleet |
Bus: 1,451 Ferry: 4[1] |
Daily ridership | 730,000[2] |
Chief executive |
Kevin Desmond, 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 transit. The buses form part of the integrated transit network of the lower mainland.
Services
The Coast Mountain Bus Company operates the buses throughout Greater Vancouver (except West Vancouver which operates its own Blue Bus system and three contract operators that provide Community Shuttle as well as HandyDART services):
- 195 bus routes in total
- Regular transit service
- Express Coach Service to suburban municipalities
- Trolley Bus Service - 13 routes primarily in the City of Vancouver
- NightBus - special routes after midnight, 8 routes with plans for expansion
- B-Line express buses (2 routes - see below)
- 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.
Fare Paid Zones
Basically the honour system, 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 Security Officer. This was only in effect in SkyTrain stations and vehicles until June 25, 2007, when the law was changed. Now, all buses, including West Vancouver buses, will be designated a "Fare Paid Zone", along with the SkyTrain. The reason for implementing the "Fare Paid Zone" was to remove responsibility from the bus driver for fare enforcement, as too many bus drivers 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.
History
CMBC was created on April 1, 1999. Bus service in Greater Vancouver was formerly provided by BC Transit. (BC Transit now refers only to the provincial government corporation that operates transit outside of Metro Vancouver.)
Retired fleet roster
The following fleet are/were owned by TransLink and operated and maintained by CMBC.
Order Year | Picture | Manufacturer | Model | Powertrain (Engine/Transmission) |
Propulsion | Fleet | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
<<< 40 feet >> | |||||||
1982 | Flyer Industries | D901A |
|
Diesel | 1158-1192 |
| |
GMDD | T6H-5307N |
|
4101-4115 |
| |||
1987 | TC40-102N |
|
4116-4143 | ||||
1989 | MCI | 4144-4192 | |||||
1990 |
|
4193-4199 4201-4278 |
| ||||
1991 | NFI | D40 |
|
3101-3210 |
| ||
1992 | 3211-3257 |
| |||||
1995 | C40 | Diesel (ex-CNG) | 3258-3282 |
| |||
1998 | DE40LF | Diesel electric (ex-Hydrogen fuel cell) | 7244-7246 |
| |||
Nova Bus | LFS | Diesel | 7298 |
| |||
<<< Trolley bus >>> | |||||||
1982-1983 | Flyer Industries | E901A-E902 | Electric trolley bus | 2701-2947 |
| ||
<<< 60 feet >>> | |||||||
1991 | NFI | D60 |
|
Diesel | 3001-3021 |
| |
Current fleet roster
The following fleet are/were owned by TransLink and operated and maintained by CMBC.
- high floor model buses
Order Year | Picture | Manufacturer | Model | Powertrain (Engine/Transmission) | Propulsion | Fleet (Qty.) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
<<< 40 feet >> | |||||||
1995 | NFI | D40LF |
| Diesel | 7101-7150 (1) |
| |
1996 | 7151-7243 (38) |
| |||||
1998 | C40LF |
| CNG | 3283-3287, 3289-3291, 3293-3299, 3301, 3303-3305 (23) |
| ||
D40LF |
| Diesel | 7247-7297 (35) |
| |||
1999 | 7299, 7301-7374 (71) |
| |||||
2000 |
| 7375-7394, 7396-7399, 7401-7429 (52) |
| ||||
2001 | 7430-7446 (17) | ||||||
OBI | V (05.501) |
| 9201-9276 (76) |
| |||
2005-07 | NFI | E40LFR |
| Electric trolley bus | 2101–2199, 2201–2289 (188) |
| |
2006 | C40LFR |
| CNG | 3309-3358 (50) |
| ||
D40LFR |
| Diesel | 7447-7499, 7501-7504 (57) | ||||
2007 | NovaBus | LFS |
| 9601-9699, 9701-9725 (114) |
| ||
2008 | 9726-9791 (76) | ||||||
OBI | V (05.501) |
| 9277-9285 (9) |
| |||
2009-10 | NovaBus | LFS HEV |
| Hybrid | 9401-9499, 9501-9542 (141) |
| |
LFS |
| Diesel | 9543-9581, 9583-9590 (47) |
| |||
2014 | NFI | XN40 |
| CNG | 14001-14045 (45) |
| |
2016 | NFI | XD40 |
| Diesel | 16101-16140
(40) |
| |
<<< 60 feet >>> | |||||||
1998 | NFI | D60LF |
| Diesel | 8001-8021
(14) |
| |
1999 | 8022-8047 (22) |
| |||||
2000 | 8048-8099, 8101 (41) |
| |||||
2007 | D60LFR |
| 8105-8117 (13) |
| |||
2007-08 | E60LFR |
| Electric trolley bus | 2501–2540 (40) |
| ||
2009 | 2541–2574 (34) | ||||||
DE60LFR |
| Hybrid | 8118-8156 (39) | ||||
2012 2015 | XDE60 |
| 12001-12025 (25) 15001-15021 (21) | ||||
Community Shuttle
Year | Builder | Model | Status | Propulsion | Fleet series | Total | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1992-2004 | Ford | E450 | Retired | Diesel | S002-S056, S062-S102 | 92 | Commercial Body Builders Ltd Polar V body |
1996-1997 | Ford | E450 | Retired | Diesel | S057-S061 | 5 | Champion CH-251FL body |
2005 | GMC | C5500 | Retired | Diesel | S200-S236 | 37 | El Dorado Aero Elite body |
2006-2009 | GMC | C5500 | Some units brought
back in service, mostly active |
Diesel | S237-S380 | 154 | El Dorado Aero Elite body |
2012-2014 | International | AC Series | Releases fumes, to
be retired |
Diesel | S410-S471 | 62 | IC Bus AC Series body |
2014 | Chevrolet | G4500 | Active | Gasoline | S501-S544 | 44 | El Dorado Aerotech body |
2016 | Chevrolet | G4500 | New order, under
testing, some active |
N/A | 16501-16562 | 62 | To replace S410-S471. |
SeaBus
Propulsion | Services |
---|---|
Diesel | Burrard Beaver, Burrard Otter, Burrard Pacific Breeze, Burrard Otter II |
Notes:
- All vehicles are wheelchair-accessible.
- All CMBC diesel vehicles are currently running on bio-diesel.
Prefixes
Letter prefixes are prepended to the bus numbers on all conventional Coast Mountain buses, except trolleys. Generally, the prefixes are used to identify which garage the bus is operating from.
- V - Vancouver
- B - Burnaby
- P - Port Coquitlam
- R - Richmond
- H - Hamilton
- S - Surrey/Community Shuttle
- T - Special training vehicle
Additional fleet notes
The first/prototype 40 ft New Flyer/Vossloh Kiepe low-floor trolley bus arrived at the Oakridge Transit Centre on July 2, 2005.[5] The 187 additional vehicles of that type arrived in 2006–2007, and all had entered service by the end of 2007. The first 60-foot (18 m) articulated trolley coach (#2501) arrived at the Oakridge Transit Centre in January 2007. The others started arriving in January 2008, and all 74 had entered service by the end of 2009.[6]
It was announced that the original bike racks on the 2006 New Flyer buses can only be used in daylight, as they block the headlights at night. Many of them have now been replaced with a modified "V2W" rack.
Facilities
- Oakridge Transit Centre - In operation since 1948, Oakridge was to be decommissioned and likely sold for re-development beginning in 2007. However, with the arrival of several New Flyer and Novabus orders since 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 Spring 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 facility. 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 been sold to an Asian developer. Only retired buses sit in the transit centre.
- Vancouver Transit Centre - New garage for Vancouver bus operations, open effective September 2, 2006. This garage serves the trolley routes, as well as most of Vancouver's buses.
- Burnaby Transit Centre - This depot, built in 1986, is split into two facilities separated by Kitchener Street and is home to the 99 B-Line rapid transit route. Serving parts of Burnaby and New Westminster, as well the North Shore and east 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.
- North Vancouver Transit Centre - This depot was built in 1946, and was the base for most North Shore services not operated by West Vancouver Municipal Transit. It is now closed, and all North Vancouver routes now operate from Burnaby Transit Centre.
- North Vancouver Seabus Centre
- Port Coquitlam Transit Centre - Opened in 1978, it was the first garage to support Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles. Base for the 97 B-Line and serves the Tri-Cities, New Westminster, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows areas.
- Richmond Transit Centre - Base for the suburban routes served by Orion V highway coaches and local routes in Richmond and South Delta, and the ex-98 B-Line vehicles. Opened in 2000.
- Hamilton Transit Centre - This facility opened in Fall 2016, and took over operations of various Richmond, Burnaby and New Westminster routes. It is based for most services terminating at 22nd Street Station
- Surrey Transit Centre - Base for all Surrey, Langley, North Delta and some White Rock and Ladner services. Opened in 1976.
- Fleet Overhaul (located at Burnaby Transit Centre) 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. Fleet Overhaul is in the process of having a new facility built within the Maple Ridge area.
Employees
CMBC's 4300+ 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., which was announced by The Vancouver Sun, The Province and the Victoria Times-Colonist.[7]
- Coast Mountain Bus Company operates the Transit Security Department for Translink. Metro Vancouver Transit Police are mobile, ride buses and trains, inspect fares, issue fines and patrol TransLink Properties (Bus Loops, SkyTrain Stations, SeaBus Terminals, etc.). Metro Vancouver Transit Police are authorized to arrest persons who commit criminal offences on or in relation to any Translink Properties per the Criminal Code. Metro Vancouver Transit Police are also authorized to enforce Transit Conduct and Safety Regulations, as well as the Transit Tariff Bylaw.
B-Line services
B-Line is a system of express bus lines with bus rapid transit elements using mostly 60-foot (18 m) low-floor articulated buses. There may also be all-door boarding.
Routes
Two routes currently are in operation:
- 96 B-Line — Newton Exchange - Guildford Exchange, via King George Station and Surrey Central Station.
- 99 B-Line — University of British Columbia - Commercial–Broadway Station, via Broadway–City Hall Station.
Five additional routes are scheduled to open early in 2017,[8] with the 95 B-Line having the most priority.
- 91 B-Line — 41st Avenue between UBC and Joyce–Collingwood Station. It will replace the 43 Express. Possibility the 41 UBC will only go to Dunbar Loop/41st to Crown
- 95 B-Line — Hastings Street between Burrard Station and Simon Fraser University via PNE, Kootenay Loop, Waterfront Station and SFU. Commencing on December 19, 2016, it will replace the 135 Express Bus. It will complement the 160 route, which at the same day will end at Kootenay Loop instead of Burrard Station.
- North Shore B-Line — Marine Drive between Dundarave and Phibbs Exchange.
- Fraser Highway B-Line — Fraser Highway between Surrey Central Station and Langley.
- Lougheed Highway B-Line — Lougheed Highway between Coquitlam Central Station and Maple Ridge. It will complement the existing 701 route servicing local stops.
Two lines have been terminated. One of which was replaced with the Canada Line, and another which was replaced by the Evergreen Extension:
- 98 B-Line — Burrard Station - Richmond Centre
- 97 B-Line — Coquitlam Central Station - Lougheed Town Centre Station.
Gallery of fleet examples
-
A retired high-floor articulated bus.
(Running route #44) -
An older regular-length high-floor diesel bus.
(Running route #84) -
A SeaBus departing Lonsdale Quay.
-
A retired Commercial Body Builders Polar V community shuttle bus at UBC Loop.
(Running route #C22) -
A newer El Dorado Aero Elite community shuttle bus.
(Running route #C20)
References
- ↑ "Coast Mountain Bus Company Fleet Facts".
- ↑ http://www.translink.ca/en/About-TransLink/Media/2009/October/Coast-Mountain-Bus-Wins-a-Prestigious-Award-for-the-Fourth-Time.aspx
- 1 2 Trolleybus Magazine No. 272 (March–April 2007), p. 38. ISSN 0266-7452.
- ↑ http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Minivan+that+collided+with+Vancouver+transit+fatal+crash/9715356/story.html
- ↑ Trolleybus Magazine No. 263 (September–October 2005), p. 117. ISSN 0266-7452.
- ↑ Trolleybus Magazine No. 290 (March–April 2010), p. 39.
- ↑ "Reasons for Selection, 2009 BC's Top Employers competition".
- ↑ "$2-billion plan: 5 new B-Line routes and more frequent SkyTrain beginning in 2017".
External links
- Coast Mountain Bus Company
- Unifor Local 111
- TransLink / Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority
- Unifor Local 2200
- COPE 378