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Seven Metro Vancouver communities will see faster, more frequent bus service with the official launch of RapidBus.

“It’s a new bus service, giving new definition to rapid transit in our region,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond.

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The regional transit authority announced last year that it would replace B-Line bus service with RapidBus, upgrading some existing express bus routes and introducing a number of new lines.

On Monday, four routes went into service.

The RapidBus lines are expected to be, on average, 20-per-cent faster than current local service because of dedicated bus lanes, queue jumps at intersections, fewer stops and all-door boarding on articulated buses. Local routes that use the same corridors will also be faster, thanks to road improvements.

RapidBus stops have digital signs that show when the next buses are set to arrive, and audio information for people with vision impairments. Tactile and braille signage is coming soon. Every stop also has a shelter.