Transit activists plan ‘Heated Rivalry’-themed rally in Vancouver on star’s birthday

Hudson Williams, star of the TV series "Heated Rivalry" takes part in a discussion at the Prime Time screen and media industry conference gala in Ottawa, in this Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout, George Pimentel (Mandatory Credit)

A Vancouver transit advocacy group is hoping some star power might help achieve change on one of the busiest bus lines in the city.

Movement is holding a rally to push for more bus lanes on the 49 Metrotown Station/Dunbar Loop/UBC route on Friday—with a “Heated Rivalry” twist.

Friday happens to be B.C. co-star Hudson Williams’ 25^th birthday. The Langara College alumnus may or may not have been a rider of the 49 TransLink bus—Movement has been posting playful social media videos attempting to get to the bottom of the question in the lead up to the event.

The organization is holding a Williams lookalike competition, a stunt that has been trending since actor Timothée Chalamet showed up to his own doppelgänger search in New York City back in 2024.

The event also promises a stand-up comedy set and transit-themed Valentine’s Day cards.

Movement applauded the City of Vancouver’s recent announcement that it intends to install bus lanes on 49^th Avenue between Cambie and Fraser streets, but says it wants to see dedicated lanes along the whole corridor.

“At this rate, it will take lifetimes to finish the bus lanes on 49th Avenue,” Denis Agar, Movement’s executive director, said in a media release announcing the event. “Why do bus lanes on 49th have to piggyback on other projects? In Toronto, they delivered bus lanes in under a week. It’s not a major project—usually just paint and signs.”

The “Red Carpet Rally” takes place outside the Langara-49^th SkyTrain Station at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13.

Heated Rivalry is a Crave Original series. CTV News, Crave and CP24 are owned by Bell Media, which is a division of BCE.