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 Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»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.).