New Westminster, B.C.-based TransLink has been awarded the 2019 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This award is for the category representing the largest transportation systems in Canada and the U.S.: those providing 20 million or more annual passenger trips.

The award is based on a range of criteria including ridership growth, operational efficiency, maintenance initiatives, customer service, financial management, marketing and sustainability. APTA considered performance between 2016 and 2018, a period which saw TransLink experience ridership growth of 18% while achieving record-highs in on-time performance.

“This award comes down to the hard work and dedication of each of our 7,800 employees, the heart and soul of the organization,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond. “Whether front-line or in the office, everyone played a valuable role. TransLink’s ridership has reached unprecedented levels and despite our enormous growth, we’ve also managed to achieve an all-time high for customer satisfaction.”

Additionally, TransLink recently revealed details of its new limited-stop bus service for five regional routes, with the first ones launching in January 2020. Once in service, the RapidBus routes, as it is called, will have the combined capacity to move 12,000 customers per hour during rush hour.

RapidBus routes will be up to 20% faster than local bus service through the usage of bus-only lanes; signal priority; queue jumps at intersections; fewer stops; and all-door boarding.

Customer-centric features include, real-time next-bus digital signage; real-time voice-activated information sheltered stops; and larger, articulated hybrid buses.