It’s easy to rattle off the problems with the Vancouver Transit system in 2024: the SkyTrain is noisy, the buses are late more often than they are on time, rush hour buses infuriatingly pass without stopping, and the list goes on.
Despite those annoyances, Vancouver transit isn’t all bad. Here is a list of 5 joys of Vancouver transit:
1. Santa’s Reindeer Come to Town
Every year at Christmas, bus drivers across the Lower Mainland deck out their rides in the spirit of Christmas. In 2020 when Covid hit, nine reindeer buses hit the streets in collaboration with the Toys for Tots charity.
Toys and cash donations were collected from transit employees and delivered by Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen–and Rudolf—to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau for low-income families.
2. Vancouver Buses: The Canucks’ Most Loyal Fans
In their over 50-year history, the Vancouver Canucks have made the playoffs finals three times but have never won the Stanley Cup. And Vancouverites are not ones to give them a pass.
But the Vancouver transit buses remain the most loyal fans, never failing to don messages of encouragement.
The city tried replacing the “Go Canucks go” message with “Go Team Go” to be more “inclusive”. Fortunately, the fans shut this down.
3. Fun Advertising
Let’s face it: Vancouver transit ads are usually bland but occasionaly they come up with something clever.
4. SkyTrain Raves
While SkyTrain raves aren’t officially sanctioned, there wasn’t enough time for anyone to stop it. And let’s face it, if they were official, they wouldn’t be as fun.
Kudos to the Transit Police who recognized this was a fun and harmless (albeit a little loud) event and let it go. Anything to counter Vancouver’s “No Fun” reputation is a win for the city.
5. Super Mario 3 SkyTrain Map
Dave from Dave’s Geeky Ideas made this neat Super Mario 3 SkyTrain map and it looks like he’ll make another update once the UBC Line is complete.
Let’s hope 2024 brings more fun Vancouver Transit vibes and—dare we say—a 2025 cup run for the good ol ‘ Nucks.