The SeaBus connects the City of North Vancouver to downtown Vancouver, and it is a passenger-only service. It is an extremely important part of the Translink public transportation system and is operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company. The SeaBus operates between the hours of 6:00 am and 1:00 am everyday.
From Monday to Saturday the ferries operate, with two-way ferries leaving at the exact same time from the termini on the opposite side. Crossing time is approximately 10-12 minutes each way and has a 3-5 minute turnaround. It operates on a 15 minute turn-around daily schedule and has about 50 crossings every day. In the evenings, and on Sundays, the service is changed to a longer turn-around schedule of 30 minutes with only one ferry going back and forth.
The SeaBus can operate on a shorter turnaround of 10-12 minutes, but the other users of the Burrard Inlet would be disturbed by the wake that would be brought on by higher engine speeds. In the entrance of the SeaBus you will find turnstiles that serve as a method of counting passengers. When the maximum number has reached its limit, the turnstiles will then lock and stop anymore passengers from boarding the SeaBus.
The SeaBus does offer free services on holidays such as New Years Eve to prevent people from drinking and driving. The fares for the SeaBus can vary by zone, employee, student, senior, and other status. The constables and officers from the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service and Transit Security do random fare checks and inspections. If you have not paid the fare the fine could be a $173 fine. Don’t forget to buy your ticket!
