BC Transit has acquired a property at 1130 Resolution Way for future Operations and Maintenance. The property is in the business park, near the A-Frame Brewing and Squamish Bottle Depot plaza.
In a letter to the council, BC Transit official Rob Ringma said the site will support long-term investments in local and regional transit, including transitioning to a battery-electric bus (BEB) fleet and accommodating up to 50 buses over the next 25 years.
The need for a dedicated O&M facility was outlined in the Sea to Sky Transit Future Plan (2015) and reaffirmed in the Squamish Transit Future Action Plan (2022). According to Ringma, the facility will enable service expansion, ensure business continuity, and support low-carbon transit solutions.
“When making long-term investments with communities, BC Transit prefers to own lands and facilities to ensure business continuity, financial predictability, and the advancement of strategic initiatives,” Ringma said.
BC Transit has collaborated with the District of Squamish since signing a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2022. A joint effort to evaluate potential locations using detailed criteria led to the selection of the Resolution Way site.
The new facility is expected to support several transit networks, including frequent, local, custom (handyDART), regional, and interregional transit services connecting the Sea to Sky corridor with Metro Vancouver. Next steps include a comprehensive planning and design phase, followed by developing a business case to outline project scope, timelines, and funding needs. Once approved, BC Transit and the District of Squamish will finalize agreements to bring the project to fruition, potentially through a phased approach to align with evolving fleet technologies and service demands.
Similar investments have been made in Abbotsford, Campbell River, and the Cowichan Valley, with additional projects underway in Victoria, Kelowna, and Chilliwack.
“BC Transit looks forward to continuing its partnership with the District of Squamish to advance this significant opportunity to improve transit service in the region,” Ringma added.
