Vancouver Airport Expands NightBus Service for 24-Hour Access

Public transit access to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has undergone a significant enhancement as of today. TransLink has expanded its service on the N10 NightBus, filling the overnight gap when the Canada Line is not operational and establishing 24-hour public transit coverage to Canada’s second-largest airport.

This development means that nearly all trips on the N10 in both directions will now connect directly to the airport terminal, with increased frequencies. The changes are part of TransLink’s winter season service adjustments that also improve approximately three dozen bus routes across the region. This results in an overall increase in service capacity for Metro Vancouver’s bus network.

Advocacy group Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders welcomed the expansion, deeming it “a long overdue step” and a “game changer” for many who work overnight shifts at the airport. “We will finally have 24-hour service to the airport,” the group stated. “This fills the nighttime period when the Canada Line does not run, and it will make a real difference for airport workers.”

The Canada Line currently leaves an overnight gap at YVR, with the first train departing the airport at 5:09 a.m. and the last train leaving just before 1:00 a.m. For those traveling from Waterfront Station, the first train to the airport departs at 4:48 a.m., and the final trip leaves at 1:08 a.m.

With the updated N10 schedule, more overnight bus trips will serve YVR throughout the week. The N10 route, which operates between downtown Vancouver and Richmond City Centre, runs along Granville Street in Vancouver and No. 3 Road in Richmond via the Arthur Laing Bridge. The airport terminal bus stop is conveniently located in the domestic departures area on the third level.

With the expansion, the bus route has been renamed from N10 Brighouse Station/Downtown NightBus to N10 YVR-Downtown/YVR-Brighouse Station NightBus, reflecting its improved connectivity to the airport. From Monday to Friday, all trips will serve YVR, except for the 4:57 a.m. departure from Bridgeport Station. On Saturdays, every N10 trip will travel to the airport, while on Sundays, all trips will serve YVR, excluding the same early morning departure.

In addition to the expanded airport service, TransLink will improve early-morning frequencies on Saturdays towards downtown Vancouver, with buses now running every 30 to 32 minutes between 2:20 a.m. and 3:22 a.m. This is a notable change from previous gaps of one hour. The final trip towards downtown will now depart at 3:56 a.m., which is earlier than the former last trip at 5:10 a.m.

Discussions regarding the feasibility of 24-hour SkyTrain service have been ongoing. In 2019, TransLink determined that implementing such a service was not feasible due to high operating costs, technical challenges, and essential maintenance requirements that occur overnight. Very few subway systems operate around the clock, largely due to the need for design features that facilitate maintenance while service continues. TransLink indicated that improving NightBus routes would offer a more cost-effective solution.

Starting on July 1, 2026, the YVR AddFare—applicable to trips departing the airport paid by cash or single-trip Compass fares—will increase by $1.50, from $5.00 to $6.50. Beginning in 2027, the YVR AddFare will increase annually by two percent.

Movement has highlighted that Metro Vancouver’s night bus network still falls short compared to those in cities like Montreal and Toronto, pointing out that many areas remain without overnight service. They are advocating for 24-hour public transit access to neighborhoods such as Newton in Surrey.

Another significant service enhancement implemented today involves the No. 80 River District/Marine Drive bus route, which runs along Marine Drive between the Canada Line’s Marine Drive Station and the River District residential area. Previously, this route operated only during peak hours, but it has now been expanded to run every 30 minutes on weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

TransLink has plans to potentially add five new and improved routes to River District over the coming years, including the creation of new bus routes and extensions of existing ones to better serve the growing neighbourhood. Construction on the 128-acre site began over 15 years ago, and by 2021, approximately 3,500 residents had moved to River District. This population is expected to reach around 18,000 upon full buildout in the next two decades.