TransLink Is Canada’s First Transit System To Feature Braille Signage At All Bus Stops

Braille signage has been installed at more than 8,400 bus stops throughout Metro Vancouver. (Photo courtesy of TransLink).

TransLink (Metro Vancouver, BC) is now the first transit system in Canada with braille signage on every bus stop to improve transit information available to customers who are blind or partially sighted. This signage has been installed at more than 8,400 bus stops throughout Metro Vancouver.

These improvements will greatly enhance accessibility for customers who are blind or partially sighted, by letting them know which stop they are at, and which buses they are waiting for at the stop.

“A great transit system is one that’s accessible for everyone,” TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said. “We’re proud to have worked with our partners to be the first to deliver braille signage and tactile walking surface indicators to help all our customers get to their destinations.”

Each braille and tactile bus stop sign contains:

• Information written in both Unified English Braille and raised tactile letters;
• Bus stop ID numbers;
• Bus routes serving that bus stop;
• Bay or bus stop indicators; and,
• Customer information phone number.

In addition to the braille and tactile signage, tactile walking surface indicators have been installed at every bus stop located on property that TransLink owns. These raised surface indicators are mounted on the ground to help customers who are blind or partially sighted know they are near a bus stop while helping direct them to the front door of the bus.

These changes are the result of engagement with Access Transit’s Users’ Advisory Committee, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and many other regional stakeholders.

TransLink has also been expanding real-time text-to-audio next bus technology at bus stops. Since 2020, TransLink has installed real-time text-to-audio information at every RapidBus stop throughout the region and at every stop at UBC Exchange.

For more information, visit TransLink Transit Accessibility.