New wash bays to scrub down double-decker buses may soon go up at the Port Coquitlam Transit Centre.
On Tuesday, April 2, the city’s committee-of-council will consider a development permit application from TransLink to replace its existing bus wash with a bigger, more environmentally friendly building on the southeastern corner of the lot, located at 2061 Kingsway Ave.
According to a report from Bruce Irvine, Port Coquitlam’s director of development services, the planned building would be 8,895 sq. ft. and would have a modern aesthetic with vertical metal panels in alternating colours and a brick base to match the brick fence along Kingsway Avenue; if approved, the building would be partially screened.
Among the “green” features are light-colour roofing materials (to cut the heat); electric air handling and hot water heater (to reduce greenhouse gas emissions); low-flow plumbing in staff facilities; and LED light fixtures.
“The bus wash will also incorporate a wastewater reclamation system to reduce water consumption and an oil-water separator to filter water discharge,” Irvine wrote in his report to the committee.
The proposed change is part of a $31.1-million upgrade of the 15.3-acre transit facility, the first transit centre in Metro Vancouver to operate and store articulated buses.
The site renovations to expand the depot are expected to be finished by next year and also include:
- constructing two double-decker bus bays in maintenance to accommodate the introduction of deckers at the facility
- creating dedicated community shuttle bus bays in the garage
- increasing the training rooms, offices and operator facilities
- replacing various hoists and catwalks in the maintenance shop
- refurbishing existing facilities
TransLink, which has more than 1,500 vehicles, plans to nearly double its bus capacity by 2035.
The committee meeting starts at 2:05 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, at Port Coquitlam City Hall (2580 Shaughnessy St.).
