I Learned How to Drive a Bus! Vancouver Transit Centre Behind-the-Scenes

Vancouver Transit Centre is the home of the city's plentiful trolleybuses, with lots of facilities to keep them up and running even in icy winters, and it's here where we went behind the scenes, and I learned how to drive a bus! Well, sort of.
Special thanks to the Translink social media team for inviting us to Vancouver Transit Centre & arranging the tour!
As always, leave a comment down below if you have ideas for our future videos. Like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon so you won't miss my next video!
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Ever wondered why your city's transit just doesn't seem quite up to snuff? RMTransit is here to answer that, and help you open your eyes to all of the different public transportation systems around the world!
Reece (the RM in RMTransit) is an urbanist and public transport critic residing in Toronto, Canada, with the goal of helping the world become more connected through metros, trams, buses, high-speed trains, and all other transport modes.

[@RMTransit]

I can’t say enough how awesome it was to get to go behind the scenes with Translink! Lifelong transit dream realized 🎉

[@raajchatterjee3901]

Hey, loved this video! I was wondering if there’s any chance you know how to propose new routes to Translink? I’ve gone through their customer feedback, and talked to my MLA, but not much response. basically there’s a few suburban bus routes that I think would be a dream and really take cars off the road.

[@electrourbantrans1018]

Hello! And can I use some your video fragments and translate it to demonstrate some trolleybus service features for Ukrainian, Belarusian, Russian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian electic public transport employees?

[@ODX_Animation]

TransLink is awesome! Since moving here from the US, I've been amazed by the system and the people behind it. They're absolutely integral to the city and I'm proud to ride! Next up, maybe TransLink lets you operate the SkyTrain? :)

[@michaelvavala3088]

@@ODX_Animation beat me to it

[@donnysouthwell8104]

Nerd

[@maxwellsmith9988]

seeing that car "going over the speed limit" on the highway was one of the funniest things I've ever seen

[@RMTransit]

It was going pretty fast!

[@davidty2006]

I mean i guess it is accurate in simulating highway drivers.

[@tankhistoryfordummies]

That car was going as fast as the Acela Express.

[@Player-pj9kt]

Everyone in lower mainland speeds on the highway lol

[@queens.dee.223]

I think something you described deserves a little more attention: that they use the bus simulators to help bus drivers recover from trauma resulting from accidents. I know such events are unlikely for any given driver. It is reassuring that Translink is prepared for when it does happen.

[@ethandanielburg6356]

This looks like such a cool experience! Since you mentioned that in-motion charging trolleybuses are used in Mexico City, I think it’s interesting to point out that all of the trolleybus lines there are still entirely wired. I believe the in-motion charging battery is used for bringing buses into and out of the depot and also in case there’s a problem with the overhead wires on a trolleybus route. I find this interesting because this means that the IMC batteries are mainly there to provide resiliency; they’re not used to provide service to places where there are no trolley wires.

[@jonw999999]

and they also just opened an elevated trolley bus line!

[@RMTransit]

Yep! But the nice thing is that this could always change! Flexibility is good!

[@guidoenriquez3076]

The trolleybuses here do use the battery power for new route extensions, you can see them on line 2 and 7 on sections without catenary. It also comes useful when there's a road block and the trolleybuses search for a different route.

[@ethandanielburg6356]

@@guidoenriquez3076 Ah ok! When I was there this past summer, I was told that all of the routes were entirely wired. That’s interesting to hear that they now have unwired extensions of some lines. In any case, I found it cool that the batteries were mainly used for resiliency in case there’s an issue with the overhead powering system.

[@rossbleakney3575]

The Seattle routes are similar, in that they have the capability of running off-wire, but don't (at least not regularly). It seems like they could follow the example of Mexico City, and have some extensions that run without centenary.

[@SmthPositive_]

Very insightful props to trans link for making this happen actually never been that much into trolley busses or busses in general but I was engaged the entire video. Hopefully at some point you can also tour the broadway extension construction site would love for you to get that opportunity and ofc seeing the content about it!

[@RMTransit]

I’d love to do it! They were super cool!

[@Kishanth.J]

@@RMTransit are you going to make this a new series? Going behind the scenes of transit in Canada, or possibly beyond.

[@Kishanth.J]

The only video similar to this is that old Mighty Machines episode on Buses.

[@TechAltar]

Awesome video! Really enjoyed the behind the scenes look

[@RMTransit]

Thanks 😅 Twas a lot of fun!

[@karlInSanDiego]

Really liked this one. We all need to see the human side of those who keep our transit system staffed and running. I was surprised to hear that the shoes are changed daily or almost daily. I hope they have a simple method for recycling the material back into use again quickly.

[@MarloSoBalJr]

Being a bus driver myself, not many understand how freaking much goes into operations for a transit agency. Your average commuter have no clue beyond what's on their phone. Good video and good experience for the viewers

[@booblla]

Driving a bus is easy... once you get all the people who can't drive off the road as well as those annoying people who insist that you let them on and off the bus!

[@mattyuty]

Lmfao, those agressive drivers were'nt just going above the speed limit, they were breaking the sound barrier

[@RMTransit]

Yeah in retrospect 😅

[@TheLiamster]

Wow, the simulator looks so fun to just mess around with yet is also really useful for training

[@davidty2006]

Could do with some updating. It's not bus simulator 2022 standards.

[@benqurayza7872]

I'm impressed by Vancouver transit's high level of management.

[@L4teSh1ft]

As a frequent watcher of your videos & a bus driver; thanks a ton for this video. Ride on!

[@RMTransit]

I Hope you enjoyed :)

[@alexspike7331]

There’s never enough operators in planning and management of transit agencies. Might be good to talk to go transit workers right now. Especially so considering their current contract fight and possible strike.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

Right. Too many MBAs out of universities with no operational experience. And who drive anywhere they want to go.

[@jmstransit]

There's not enough realization about the importance of operators and planners in general. Dispatchers, road supervisors, and communications are also heavily under-recognized.

[@mikejulien2330]

Can confirm, drifting buses is fun! especially the artics;)

[@DJDashks]

Not bad for your first time! I'm a real bus operator and the air breaks are definitely a bit weird to get used to when you're new and make pre tripping a hassle, lol

[@alc3biades262]

Translink has always had a fantastic media wing, another great example of it.

[@realnutteruk1]

It's so nice to see trolley busses outside of eastern Europe... in my opinion the best compromise between diesel bus and electric rail... better even than trams...

[@RusNad]

They're great but trams have a higher capacity. Especially if you don't have the resources to run ultra frequently.

[@realnutteruk1]

@@RusNad But trams have much higher initial investment... and trolley busses can run pretty much nose to tail if needed....

[@RusNad]

@@realnutteruk1 That's fair. I did notice in Chisinau that some of the lines had enough rush hour demand to justify a metro line let alone a tram. It's very cost effective but clearly gets strained and needs investment to get more segregated infrastructure whether it's rail-based or trolleybus BRT.

[@RMTransit]

They can be very powerful for the right circumstances

[@laurencefraser]

It's a rare situation where a tram is viable at all without being a better option than a trolley bus... but there are plenty of situations where, for one reason or another, a tram is not suitable, and in pretty much all of those a trolley bus is better than a diesel bus, with the exception of areas where there aren't enough riders to cover/justify the cost of the infrastructure (so... basically rural routes), at which point, a more standard bus is the better option.

[@guidoenriquez3076]

Great video, very interesting! Nice to see my CDMX footage! Here the main trolleybus depot is much older but they've managed to keep the new trolleybuses in a great state anyway.

[@RMTransit]

It was excellent footage!

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

3:10 "the best kind of bus doesn't take any sort of dinosaur juice at all" LOL! Dinosaur juice bar! A great new business adventure!

[@chromebomb]

"Not in Service....Sorry" is the most Canadian thing I've ever seen lol 😂🇨🇦

[@RailRide]

I first saw that on a GO Transit bus I spotted from an Amtrak train headed into Toronto. Being a NYC'er, I thought that was (1) the funniest thing, and (2) so _very_ Canadian,

[@chevrolet1319]

That’s in America as well lol, “Sorry Not In Service”

[@saxmanb777]

I drove school buses in college and it was one of the most fun college jobs I had. I realized I like operating large things.

[@GD-mf7mn]

LOVED this video!!! Glad you got to drive in a bus simulator. Hopefully one day you’ll get to drive a real one.

[@JohnWilson-hc5wq]

The Duluth (Minnesota) Transit Authority held a *real* bus test drive for the public (on private property), anyone with a valid driver's license, over 21, could sign up. They're planning another one. Not sure if Canadians qualify.

[@simoneh4732]

If only the TTC had the smarts to do the same considering you live in Toronto!! Great vid!

[@RMTransit]

I’d love it!

[@seanh2286]

Nice insight into what goes on at the depot. So much more than a bus parking lot! My only experience was going there for wheelchair "training" (i.e., practising getting on and off different buses without the pressure of other passengers or a timetable). Great experience then too.

[@unkameatgoodbar2315]

I worked at coast mountain bus company many yrs…and retired in 2017….did many routes on the trolleys…I remember when the VTC was built..many memories there.

[@LerockJohn]

Man, once you really dig how cool Public Transit Systems can be, there is a whole universe to discover and appreciate!

[@DownieLive]

“All my favourite TransLink routes are on the highway!” 😂

[@DNsRoom]

It is very funny how the person walked straight into your bus!😄

[@samiraperi467]

7:17 That ambulance was *haulin'*!

[@fireshorts5789]

Crazy to think that cities like Edmonton, Hamilton and Toronto could have still had expansive trolley bus fleets like this if they'd kept them. Really interesting technology and infrastructure.

[@Jeff-uj8xi]

Don't forget the fools in Boston who junked their trackless trolley system last March. No amount of reasoning could sway them not to do it. The price of diesel fuel was $ 8.00 a gallon at the time. But why should they care? And then there are the idiots in Wellington, N.Z.

[@Ranman242]

Not gonna lie, I half-thought DownieLive would appear in this, and that would have been awesome!

[@jnk26]

I drifted my D4500 yesterday on my way to the garage. Freezing rain in Timmins makes that very easy to do

[@SaturnCanuck]

That was cool. I did an airline simulator a few years ago and it was so awesome. BTW I miss Toronto's Trolley Buses.

[@andrewclarkson3401]

This is a really interesting video. Something I would never see. Can you do something similar in Toronto - tour a streetcar yard? The TTC should be willing to let you. It would be good PR.

[@RMTransit]

I would love to perhaps they will let me someday!

[@ayindestevens6152]

“Your going on the Highway” Me flashes back to that scene in Clueless! Great video!

[@RMTransit]

Thanks 😅

[@linksboytoy]

I continue to be impressed, engaged, and giddy when watching your videos. Consistently when I see you discuss transit or do things like this it makes me want to change career paths. I wish I could do this sort of thing with Sound Transit because I find it fascinating. If I didn’t already have a career I’d consider looking into a career in public transit. Anyways, nice work, and I very appreciate how much you care about public transit, I truly believe it is the future. SUCH an awesome experience, glad you had fun

[@LPenn0505]

Oh my goodness. I’m a bus mechanic and even I was excited for you. That bus simulator looked a lot like OMSI, but with more controls. 😊

[@jordanw8382]

Around maybe 20 years ago when I did my trainablility test at TransLink it was on a Fishbowl bus. While it was my childhood dream come true, driving it in Vancouver city streets for the first time was totally nerve wracking!

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

Did you put on your seatbelt Reese?! Got to be as real as possible! Halifax had trolleybuses just like that in the 1960s. I wish they had kept them.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

Is the simulator just Vancouver area? Or could you "drive" in other cites as well?

[@davidty2006]

Britain had double decker trolley busses. Then they got replaced by old Regent's when the routemaster came.

[@b127_1]

Time for some battery trolley hybrid busses! Lets go!

[@alexplaysii]

7:16 That ambulance is going faster than the speed of light 💀

[@funkalunatic]

So Canadian even the buses say "Sorry"

[@pennyroyal3813]

Great video and insights. This should be used to educate folks on why their bus is two minutes late.

[@RMTransit]

Thanks! I agree people often Just need to get an appreciation!

[@nashleysk8er]

I’ve been driving trolley coaches here in Vancouver for the past 20 years. Great equipment and fun to drive. Some out there think us drivers hate driving them.

[@Koopzilla24]

As a former Boston bus driver, “got some aggressive drivers out here” triggered war flash backs

[@awmusichistory]

Cool that the transtlink kept some older new flyer diesel buses for training! While no longer in revenue service good to see they haven’t died off yet

[@Brick-Life]

Awesome to see the Translink HQ again after DownieLive also went and drove the bus!

[@JeffBilkins]

It'd be cool if you could video a walk-along with someone on the maintenance jobs. I'd like to hear the workers talk about shoe replacements or bus cleaning or replacing parts on a bus in repair.

[@kevinconrad6156]

That deicing truck is screaming for a two man crew.

[@RMTransit]

I think one skilful operator is sufficient!

[@Tylendal242]

They also send out some in service trolleys with special, heavy-duty shoes that help scrape the ice off the wires.

[@bregin2447]

Always love when you upload,great vid

[@LittleJimmyR]

TransLink is also a transit company in South East Queensland (Australia)

[@CourtneyHelen1]

I thought when I saw the title you were talking about Translink in Brisbane! Also very interestingly, Translink's Brisbane buses share the same blue and yellow livery as the buses in this video, though of course the actual vehicles are different. Thank you for the interesting video!

[@Ink_25]

The only thing I didn't like about this video is the short length of it :D Great insight, thank you

[@2739gghggfhytf]

Honestly, from a Santiago of Chile's perspective, Bus driving seem like a terrible, stressful job. PD: Pleas revisit santiago Transit system some day, you didn't cover the massive bus sistem we have here, Is important because this is a city where a trolley wouldn't make sence for various reasons (road blockades, extreme probability of disasters and the cheer number of different serviced we have) so we heavily invest in E-Buses. I love your videos a lot. :)

[@RMTransit]

I think you will enjoy the video coming out later this month ;-)

[@2739gghggfhytf]

@@RMTransit very nice to hear :)

[@johncrwarner]

Interestingly even in Bielefeld, Germany we are having a driver shortage and they are advertising on the buses, trams etc. for new drivers.

[@RMTransit]

It’s a good job in many cases!

[@drivingottawa]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@RipCityBassWorks]

That is a seriously impressive facility. The amount of organization is amazing.

[@simonmarshall19]

The old Bus Garage used to be at West 41 ave right near Oak St . I wanna visit that garage someday

[@Luke_Starkenburg]

That’s really cool!

[@RMTransit]

Thanks, Luke!

[@nuarius]

Im actually waiting back for an interview from my city right now to start driving local busses, so this was an extra interesting watch.

[@VWYL900802]

I was at UBC once and it was near Christmas and I saw one electric bus with all the Christmas trimmings it’s like a bus version of Rudolph lol

[@se9865]

I'm a truck driver, so I wouldn't mind getting to drive one of those around just see how it compares.

[@BlakesTrainsandMore4014]

Last year at High School, I got to go drive a Cat Front Loader in a Simulater. It was really fun!

[@charlesmoeller6667]

@3:55 you should do a video on Dual Mode Buses, we had them in Seattle from 1990 to 2005.

[@durmore]

thats 2 youtubers now that translink has allowed in

[@robertcartwright4374]

Thanks again, Reece. I never miss your videos!

[@transitimprover]

Never thought I’d be so interested in a bus depot. This was really interesting

[@NuuweiLol]

Yay. That is so nice.

[@EljansLife]

7:16 🤣 That ambulance can pick 1000 patient a day.

[@mrtbts]

translink uploaded yay

[@rolandharmer6402]

All those trolleybuses!

[@k-dramagoodmorningseoul]

Hi! How are you? Korea/Seoul has the worst ultrafine dust today, this year. COVID-19 remains - really frustrating. I wish you good health and good things for the rest of the week. Thank you very much.

[@Armi144]

In Budapest, our deicer is a converted Ikarus 260 that they made this year, so it hasn't been in use yet

[@longbranchmike7846]

This is really interesting. I drove a diesel bus for the TTC for a short time, but I always liked trolleybuses for their quieter, non-vibrating ride. It's a shame Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Hamilton got rid of their trolleybuses - non-polluting, long lasting, graceful, with superior hill climbing ability. Oh, and it's about time they renamed Vancouver's airport to Roberto Luoungo International.

[@lordsleepyhead]

I'm jealous, I want to drive a bus simulator too! That looked like so much fun!

[@shroomyesc]

I've always wondered, what are those bendy metal bars with the yellow handle behind them in front of buses in North America? Above/in front of the bumper (which alone is weird to see on a bus lol)

[@Squaretable22]

I think they're bike racks...

[@shroomyesc]

@@Squaretable22 Oh okay! That's odd I just thought you bring bikes into the bus. What's the handle for, then?

[@gachimuchienjoyer]

I would definitely fail placing a bike on such rack

[@williamerazo3921]

Bike racks. They started to put those on buses 20 years ago in my area

[@williamerazo3921]

@@shroomyesc bikes take up room especially during Rush hour

[@jasoncrablephillytransitbo4633]

Man I need to come Down to visit this city

[@gearandalthefirst7027]

4:04 The buses apologizing for not being in service is so adorably Canadian. Down here they don't even switch to "Not In Service" half the time and just blow past you at 60 mph.

[@KaiCheetah]

Fun fact about the bus sim they use OSMI! One of the NPCs (the kid in the middle of the highway) is from that

[@williamerazo3921]

You should go to NYC. I know some people that own a couple of buses that they will teach you drive

[@MrRatchet12661]

Didn't knew that vehicles like that truck existed.

[@carsreallysuck]

They have the best techno parties at the park there at the water

[@cubinn149]

So cool i wanna try that simulator

[@neolithictransitrevolution427]

Planning to replace diesel and hybrids by 2040 is actually very reasonable. I find this extreme focus on using battery buses now distracting- yes there is an improvement in air pollutants and minor impact on CO2 emissions, but my God that money could buy so many more traditional buses that would have such a larger, network improving impact.

[@RMTransit]

Reducing emissions is critical, we can do both

[@mikejulien2330]

if you are only looking at the MSRP, yes. You have to factor in all the government incentives currently available (in many countries) for both infrastructure and vehicles though. For example Ottawa's new battery electric fleet is basically free because the vehicles and chargers are paid for by an interest free loan that is paid back exclusively by money saved in fuel costs. If we were buying 200 diesel buses, that would be a $150M budget item just for basic 40 footers(low capacity). Even if tech/ranges get better as production ramps up, investing in the infrastructure now and starting the transition to electric buses now makes more sense than scrambling to convert your fleet and garages as zero emissions become mandatory in 10 years and incentives are more likely to go away/decrease. Add to that the vastly lower maintenance and "fueling" costs and it does not make sense to buy more conventional vehicles for many properties.

[@neolithictransitrevolution427]

@@RMTransit I agree, but Buses are such a tiny percentage of emissions. We can remove far more in total by increasing public transit and decreasing car usage than by transitioning buses. So to the extent budgets are being used to replace buses or total purchases have to be decreased due to higher Capital cost, I think the prioritization of expanding transit service should be made.

[@neolithictransitrevolution427]

@@mikejulien2330 I agree that building out infrastructure is important, which is why I thing Vancouvers time line is fairly appropriate to build out without avoiding diesels for current service. While what you're saying makes sense on a Municipal level, I would prefer to see the Feds putting those subsidies to buses in general; service expansion is more important than greening your bus fleet which has a tiny impact on city emissions.

[@zackanimate1148]

Nice

[@enolamsamoht]

I really miss the old LOUD d901, and d40/60hf.

[@jopu7004]

8:15 that kid is definitely from OMSI 2

[@DFWRailVideos]

I love how in the simulator there's just random cars doing in excess of 300 miles an hour.

[@hardyz703]

As a huge fan of transit, this looks like something I'd love to experience one day. I have to ask, what is the name of the simulator they had you drive in? It looks amazing and so very detailed. Not to mention how it looked as if you were actually behind a real bus with the realism of the sitting area and everything - that's just awesome! Glad you got to enjoy your experience!

[@JohnWilson-hc5wq]

The Duluth (Minnesota) Transit Authority held an event last month where anyone over 21 with a valid driver's license could sign up to test drive a real bus through an obstacle course on private property. They are having a serious driver shortage and thought maybe this might encourage people who might be interested in the job but are afraid driving a bus is too hard. I've heard they may do this again; I don't know if Canadians are eligible, though.

[@oliversharpe2689]

I live in Brisbane. I see translink in the title and immediately confused. Of course, in America.

[@street_ruffian]

Omg some of those cars in the simulation were going Mach 1 speed

[@catnipleaf8680]

Am I the only one who noticed the ambulance going supersonic at 7:16?

[@RailRide]

Not to mention that *_BaZINGA!!_* turn it made in the distance :D

[@lillywho]

8:16 Wait! That child is one of the Omsi 2 NPCs!!

[@pqrstsma2011]

7:38 "Interstate 110"???? in Vancouver Canada?

[@Listenerandlearner870]

They have Translink in Northern Ireland.

[@limitedbreezy7730]

7:15 Ambulance 5 in routeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@tunatezer8902]

"Transit as a video game - what better way to raise the ultimate bus driver?"

[@PrometheanKitchen96]

Have you ever thought about being an Bus operator or a Tram operator at some point in your life

[@RMTransit]

For sure haha!

[@theAmazingDavidKidd1]

Omg that sim is omsi I would know that from a lot of sims