As the summer heat settles over Metro Vancouver, TransLink has unveiled its 2025 PrideBus design, this time paying homage to retro gaming culture with a vibrant 16-bit theme. The specially wrapped bus will roll through Vancouver streets starting next week, continuing the transit authority’s tradition of celebrating Pride Month with a uniquely designed vehicle.
“This year’s PrideBus represents the intersection of nostalgia and inclusion,” said Sarah Chen, TransLink’s Director of Community Engagement. “The 16-bit design resonates with multiple generations while carrying our message that public transit is for everyone, regardless of how you identify.”
The bus exterior features pixel-art rainbows, sprite-style characters representing diverse communities, and animated-looking transit icons that would look at home in classic video games from the 1990s. Inside, passengers will find special seating with pixel heart patterns and QR codes linking to local Pride events throughout the summer.
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart welcomed the initiative at yesterday’s unveiling ceremony at Granville Station. “Our transit system does more than move people physically—it connects communities. The PrideBus represents Vancouver’s commitment to creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and celebrated.”
This marks the sixth consecutive year for TransLink’s PrideBus program, which began as a small pilot project and has grown into one of the transit authority’s most anticipated annual initiatives. According to TransLink data, last year’s PrideBus carried approximately 75,000 passengers during its three-month run and became the most photographed vehicle in the transit system’s fleet, appearing in over 12,000 social media posts.
The bus will service several high-traffic routes, including the #19 along Kingsway and the #3 Main Street route, before becoming the centerpiece in Vancouver’s Pride Parade on August 3. TransLink has partnered with local 2SLGBTQ+ organizations to distribute free transit passes to those facing financial barriers to attending Pride events.
“Transit accessibility is fundamental to community participation,” explained Jordan Reeves, Executive Director of the Vancouver Pride Society. “The PrideBus is more than a colorful vehicle—it represents TransLink’s understanding that transportation equity directly impacts people’s ability to engage with their communities.”
The 16-bit theme emerged from a community design contest that drew over 200 submissions from local artists and transit enthusiasts. The winning concept came from Vancouver-based digital artist Maya Landry, whose design combines classic gaming aesthetics with inclusive symbolism.
“I wanted to create something that feels both playful and meaningful,” Landry said during the unveiling. “Video games have evolved from spaces that weren’t always welcoming to everyone into vibrant communities where many people, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, find connection and belonging.”
TransLink has expanded the PrideBus initiative beyond the vehicle itself. Riders can collect limited-edition 16-bit themed Compass Cards at select SkyTrain stations, with $1 from each card benefitting Rainbow Refugee, a local organization supporting people seeking protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Public response has been predominantly positive, with early images of the bus generating enthusiastic reactions on social media. However, some transit advocates have questioned the allocation of resources for specialty vehicles when service improvements remain needed.
“While we appreciate TransLink’s commitment to inclusion, we also need to see equal commitment to service frequency and reliability,” noted transit advocate Teresa Wong from Better Transit Vancouver. “Celebrations are important, but so is day-to-day dependability for riders who rely on the system.”
TransLink officials addressed these concerns by emphasizing that the PrideBus program costs represent less than 0.01% of their annual marketing budget, with community partners covering much of the specialized wrapping expenses.
“The return on investment extends far beyond traditional metrics,” explained Chen. “The conversations and connections fostered by the PrideBus help build the kind of inclusive transit culture that benefits all riders.”
The PrideBus will remain in service until late September, with special appearances scheduled at community events throughout the Lower Mainland. TransLink has created an interactive map on their website where residents can track the bus’s location and schedule photographs or rides.
For many Vancouver residents, the annual PrideBus has become a cherished summer tradition that reflects the city’s values.
“I look forward to spotting it every year,” said Jamie Thompson, a regular transit user I spoke with at Commercial-Broadway Station. “It’s one of those small things that makes Vancouver feel like a place that celebrates differences rather than just tolerating them.”
As the 16-bit PrideBus prepares to begin its journey through Metro Vancouver streets, it carries forward a tradition that has evolved from a simple gesture of solidarity into a rolling symbol of the region’s commitment to creating transportation systems where everyone can see themselves represented.