Can you carry luggage on public bus in vancouver bc

Keep aisles and doors clear. Items must remain under the immediate control of passengers, not placed in doorways, stairwells or wheelchair spaces. Drivers may refuse carriage of any article that creates a safety hazard or blocks emergency exits.

Practical guideline: single pieces that can be lifted and positioned by one person are acceptable–rough target dimensions under ~24–26 in (60–66 cm) height and a manageable weight (rough guideline: under 15 kg). Place roll-on cases at feet, beside seating, or in low-floor vestibules without occupying dedicated seats.

During peak-periods expect limited tolerance for large wheeled cases; staff may ask to wait for a less crowded vehicle or use alternative transport. Foldable suitcases and compact bags fit easiest on SkyTrain and SeaBus cars; full-size bicycles belong on exterior racks (standard front-rack capacity: two bikes) or must be folded before boarding the vehicle.

Respect accessibility priorities: wheelchair and mobility-device areas must remain clear, and priority seats should be vacated on request. For airport transfers or oversized items, consider dedicated shuttles, taxis, ride-hailing or commercial courier services. Check TransLink policy at translink.ca for route-specific restrictions and seasonal updates.

Rules for taking suitcases on TransLink transit in BC

Passengers must stow personal bags and suitcases so aisles, doors and wheelchair/priority seating remain fully clear; drivers may refuse transport of items that obstruct movement or create a safety risk.

• Placement: keep small cases on lap, under seat, or immediately beside feet; larger soft-sided bags should be placed on the vehicle floor without blocking neighbouring seats or access routes.
• Peak hours: avoid mornings 07:00–09:00 and evenings 16:00–18:30 on weekdays when space is limited; travel outside these periods for easier boarding with larger items.
• Driver authority: operators have final authority to permit or deny boarding for bulky items; comply with requests to relocate or disembark if an item impedes safety or accessibility.
• Wheelchair/priority area: never place bags in the designated mobility space; folding strollers must be collapsed and stored clear of this zone.
• Special items: musical instruments should be held or placed on lap if small; skis, poles and similar articles must be bundled and oriented to avoid poking or tripping hazards.
• Bicycles: use exterior bike racks on surface vehicles or take bikes on rapid transit only per the agency’s bicycle policy; non-folding bikes during peak times are discouraged inside vehicles.
• Prohibited/limited items: hazardous materials, open alcohol containers, commercial freight and oversized furniture are unacceptable; large appliances and palletized shipments require courier or dedicated shuttle.

Suggested alternatives when an item is too large for routine transit: book a taxi/ride-hail, reserve an airport shuttle or specialized luggage shuttle, use a private courier, or opt for station-based luggage storage services near major terminals and tourist hubs.

TransLink rules for bags and suitcases on surface transit

Keep bags and suitcases within personal space and off seats; TransLink’s Transit Use Bylaws require that items must not block aisles, doorways, wheelchair spaces or priority seating.

Items that leak, emit strong odours, are likely to cause damage, or are otherwise hazardous (flammable liquids, compressed gas cylinders, corrosives, live ammunition) are prohibited from boarding TransLink vehicles.

Drivers and transit enforcement officers have authority to refuse transport or require repositioning when an item presents a safety risk or obstructs movement; unattended items are not permitted and may be removed.

No separate fare is charged for personal bags and standard-sized suitcases, but oversized or unusually bulky items may be refused during peak times or crowded trips for safety and access reasons.

Use exterior bike racks when available for full-size bicycles; foldable cycles and collapsible strollers are accepted onboard if folded and stored without blocking aisles or priority areas. Service-specific storage (SkyTrain/SeaBus luggage zones) should be used when provided.

Practical recommendations aligned with TransLink policy: stow cases at feet or on lap, secure loose straps, label valuables, travel outside peak periods with large items, and choose alternate options (parcel delivery, taxi, HandyDART) for oversized or heavy cargo that would impede other passengers.

Allowed suitcase sizes and recommended placement to avoid blocking aisles

Recommended maximum suitcase for unobstructed stowage: about 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm). Items up to ~24–26 in (61–66 cm) may fit if positioned vertically and wheel/handle collapsed; pieces larger than 26 in are best avoided during peak hours.

Preferred dimensions

Small roller (22 x 14 x 9 in / 56 x 36 x 23 cm): fits under seats or in front of a single seat. Medium roller (24–26 in / 61–66 cm): reserve space directly in front of a seat or in a designated cargo area if available. Soft-sided duffel or backpack-style holdalls compress more easily into tight spaces–aim for volume under 45 L for ease of placement.

Placement and handling

Stow upright against interior walls or between a seat and wall, with wheels locked and telescopic handle fully retracted. Never leave an item in the centre aisle, doorway swing zone, or in the wheelchair/priority area. When seating is scarce, place the suitcase at a single-seat gap (not across two seats) or immediately behind the driver compartment if a permitted rack exists. For standing trips, secure the piece by holding a handle or tucking it behind a pole so it cannot roll into the aisle.

Load and unload from the curbside first to keep boarding flow clear; avoid placing items on stairwells or near ramps. Use straps or bungee cords only when permitted and when they do not create a tripping hazard. If congestion prevents safe stowage, defer to alternative transport or wait for a less crowded vehicle.

Peak-hour restrictions and how to handle oversized items during busy routes

Avoid boarding transit vehicles during weekday peak periods (06:30–09:00 and 15:30–18:30) with oversized suitcases; arrange an airport shuttle, taxi, ride-hail or courier for items that exceed a single-seat footprint.

Before travel, measure largest item and reduce volume: remove rigid shells, use compression straps or pack into a soft duffel to allow vertical stowage. Fold telescoping handles, lock or tape wheels to prevent rolling, and secure loose straps so the item occupies minimal floor space.

When a trip during busy service is unavoidable, request operator approval to stow the piece in a vestibule or designated area; always select a location that does not block aisles, doorways, priority seating or wheelchair spaces. Position the item upright with the narrowest face toward the aisle and push it flush against the sidewall or seat legs; maintain continuous control so it can be moved immediately if required by staff or other passengers.

For frequent travellers, switch to soft-sided gear that compresses and fits under a seat–see best travel duffel bags brands for compact options. If the piece remains bulky, consider scheduled luggage shuttles, same-day courier drop-off to destination, or hotel storage to avoid disruptions during morning and evening peak runs.

Traveling with mobility aids, strollers or large checked bags: priority and exceptions

Give absolute priority to passengers using mobility devices and to those occupying wheelchair-securement zones; strollers and oversized checked items must not occupy or block these locations and should be relocated upon operator request.

Practical actions for each item type

Foldable strollers: fold before boarding when space is limited and place in an aisle-side seat or at feet without blocking passageways. Non-foldable strollers: occupy a single seat only if no mobility device needs the wheelchair area; operators may require transferring the child into a seat to free the space. Manual wheelchairs and powered mobility devices: remain in wheelchair-securement areas and use available tie-downs or autobrake procedures; other belongings must be removed from that space.

Driver discretion, safety exceptions and advance arrangements

Operators have authority to refuse transport of items that obstruct aisles, doorways, ramps or emergency egress, or that cannot be stowed safely. For oversized powered devices, non-standard dimensions, or items that appear to exceed typical doorway clearance, contact TransLink Customer Service or the carrier’s accessibility desk before travel to request pre-approval or advice. Present medical or device documentation when necessary to verify need for priority accommodation.

How to transfer items between SkyTrain, SeaBus and surface coaches and use secure storage options

Use elevators at accessible stations for bulky suitcases and pre-book a commercial storage drop-off when a route involves multiple transfers.

• Pre-transfer checklist
  • Confirm station accessibility via TransLink station map; choose a transfer point with elevators to avoid stairs (allow an extra 5–10 minutes for elevator wait).
  • Label bags with contact details and lock zippers; collapse handles and secure loose straps to prevent snagging in doorways.
  • Reserve nearby private storage (Bounce, Stasher, LuggageHero) if transit segments are during peak periods or include waterfront terminals.
• Boarding and platform handling
  • At street-level coach stops, wait clear of the boarding zone until passengers with priority needs finish loading; step on with wheels forward and keep the item in the vestibule area to maximize seating availability.
  • On SkyTrain platforms, remain behind the yellow line and position large cases near platform benches so they can be moved quickly into the car without blocking doors.
  • For SeaBus terminals, use elevators to access the lower waiting area; hold onto cases on the deck and stow them beside seating rather than in aisles.
• During transfers between modes
  1. Exit the first vehicle toward the closest elevator or wide doorway; avoid stairs when possible.
  2. Move along the platform to the car section with the most floor space (usually the middle cars on SkyTrain) before doors open.
  3. If the transfer involves a ferry-like terminal (SeaBus), step off last to place the item securely on the dock before the next boarding wave.
• Crowd-management tactics
  • If a vehicle is full, wait for the next one rather than forcing on and blocking aisles; many transit operators enforce no-obstruction policies and drivers may refuse very large items during peak loads.
  • When travelling with mobility aids or strollers, use designated priority areas; fold strollers when space is limited and ask fellow passengers to allow a short loading window.
• Secure storage options – downtown and waterfront
  • Private locker networks (Bounce, Stasher, LuggageHero): typical rates CAD 5–12 per day; book online, select a shop near Waterfront, Gastown or Yaletown for minimal detour.
  • Hotel concierge holds: available for registered guests at no extra cost in many downtown hotels; non-guests may be able to arrange short-term paid storage.
  • Short-term self-storage facilities: hourly access or day rates for longer stays; useful for oversized items or multiple pieces.
  • Airport terminals offer official left-luggage services – check YVR website for current locations and fees when an airport transfer is part of the itinerary.
• Long or awkward items
  • For large appliances or specialist pieces, consider courier pickup or short-term warehouse storage rather than multi-leg transit; see packing and dimension guidance such as are there any 400mm wide fridge freezer for narrow-appliance options.
  • When an oversized item must move through the network, split the trip into two segments with a paid storage stop between modes to avoid refusals and fines.

Final operational tip: always verify station elevator status and private-storage opening hours on the day of travel; outages and reduced hours are common on weekends and holidays.