Originally outlined in the 2005 Vancouver/UBC Transit Plan as the 91 B-Line,[3] the route was planned to be operational in December 2009, replacing the 43 Express peak-only service between Joyce–Collingwood Station and UBC. However, shortfalls in the 2010 TransLink budget resulted in a delay in the implementation of this route, the 95 B-Line (replacing 135 Express service on Hastings Street), and other service expansions. Nevertheless, the 43 Express was included as a main transit connection in a plan released following the opening of the Canada Line, indicating the importance of the route within the TransLink network.[4]
On November 23, 2016, the Mayors' Council and TransLink's board of directors approved the first phase of the 10-Year Vision, which included provisions for new B-Line routes (including the 41st Avenue B-Line) which began service on January 6, 2020.[1][5] On July 23, 2019, the route was officially rebranded the R4 41st Ave.[6]
The R4 travels mainly on 41st Avenue in Vancouver, and also along Joyce Street, Southwest Marine Drive, West 16th Avenue, and Wesbrook Mall.[7]
UBC Exchange – Western terminus, serving UBC's campus centre; transfer point for services to other Vancouver neighbourhoods, Richmond, Burnaby, and West Vancouver.
Agronomy Road – Serves the southern part of UBC's campus; transfer point for services to other Vancouver neighbourhoods, Richmond, and Burnaby.
West 16th Avenue – Serves Thunderbird Park and Wesbrook Village
