The District of Squamish is set to make key decisions regarding public transit improvements as part of a proposed three-year expansion plan with BC Transit.
At a Committee of the Whole meeting, the council will discuss signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for transit service upgrades.
Key Transit Changes in the Plan
The plan includes several service expansions aimed at improving transit accessibility for residents and addressing high-demand areas. Some highlights of the proposal include:
Weekend Service to Alice Lake (June 2025): The proposal introduces seasonal weekend-only service to Alice Lake, targeting the park’s busiest times. Originally planned as a daily service, the weekend shift reduces costs, making it easier for the District and BC Parks to fund. If successful, the service could expand to weekdays in the future.
Off-Peak Improvements on Route 3 (Valleycliffe): The plan adds 500 hours of service to off-peak times on Route 3 to improve transit options for Valleycliffe residents.
Frequent Transit Network Enhancements:
Increased weekend service across the Frequent Transit Network, with an additional 1,500 service hours starting in September 2025.
Phase 1 of a new Frequent Transit Network will increase the frequency on Routes 1 (Brackendale) and 2 (Highlands) in January 2026, adding 1,500 service hours to each route.
New South Squamish Service (Early 2026): New transit routes will serve the South Squamish area, including Oceanfront, SEAandSKY, Redbridge, and the St’a7mes I.R. 24 community, with up to 2,800 additional service hours.
Additional Improvements (2026-2028):
Phase 3 of the Frequent Transit Network will roll out in 2028, bringing more frequent services (2,000 hours) to various routes.
Route 4 (Garibaldi) will introduce Saturday service with 900 additional hours.
Route 5 (South Parks) will gain an extra month of service, adding 500 hours.
The three-year MOU also outlines two significant infrastructure projects:
New Transit Maintenance Facility: A high-level budget for this facility is part of the District’s five-year financial plan. The current facility is at full capacity, but additional vehicle storage has been secured in the short term. The new facility will provide more capacity as transit services grow.
Garibaldi Estates Exchange: Planning for a new transit exchange in Garibaldi Estates is in its early stages, with further budget details expected as development progresses. Another downtown transit exchange is also in the works, although it will likely fall outside the current MOU period.
If the council approves the MOU, the proposed transit expansions will be integrated into the District’s long-term transportation strategy, with the earliest changes starting in 2025. The District will work with BC Transit to finalize service details and secure funding from the provincial government.
