TransLink has hailed the Canada Line as the next step in Vancouver's world-class evolution.

The $2-billion mega-project opens to the public this afternoon, creating a rapid-transit link between Vancouver, Richmond and the Vancouver International Airport.

The line makes Vancouver the only city in Canada to provide a high-speed link between its airport and downtown core.

"It's incredibly significant for us," TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast told 24 hours. "There aren't many cities in the world that can say they link downtown to the airport."

Although the line had a few bumps along the way, the project comes in ahead of schedule and under-budget.

The line is free to ride from 1 to 9 p.m. today before going into full (paid) service Tuesday morning.

The public will have until Sept. 7 to get used to life on the fast lane before extensive bus re-routes south of the Fraser take hold to take advantage of the line.

The transit evolution won't stop when the lights go down on the Winter Games.

Prendergast said TransLink plans future rapid-transit lines in the Tri-Cities, Surrey and Vancouver.

Matt Kieltyka reports for Vancouver 24 hours.