VICTORIA – BC Transit is searching for a suitable property to locate a new regional handyDART facility to support future investments in handyDART service levels for the Victoria Regional Transit System. BC Transit is considering the property at 2401 Burnside Road (the property located southeast of the Burnside and Watkiss intersection) as a potential location for a new regional handyDART facility. BC Transit will be applying to the Town of View Royal for an amendment to the Official Community Plan (OCP) and rezoning before the end of 2017.
handyDART is an accessible, door-to-door shared transit service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from using conventional or fixed-route transit without assistance.
Although BC Transit would purchase the entire eight-acre site, initial functional requirements for the building and parking area are planned for the southern-most corner, adjacent to the highway. This will leave a significant portion of the property as greenspace and for the continued use of the Victoria Bowmen Archery Club and the Galloping Goose Trail.
The existing handyDART facility located on Glanford Avenue is operating beyond capacity, and cannot support the expected need for future growth of the service. The need for a new facility was identified in the Victoria Regional Transit System 2011 Transit Future Plan which provides a vision for transit over the next 25 years to support the economic, social and environmental sustainability goals of the region. The Transit Future Plan, endorsed by the Transit Commission, was based on local government land use and transportation plans including the Regional Growth Strategy, Travel Choices and Official Community Plans. Existing capacity and anticipated future growth has led to the exploration of new sites for the handyDART facility.
BC Transit will create opportunities for neighbours in the area to learn more, ask questions, and provide feedback about the proposal. Public input is a key element that will help with the final submission and design of the project. Updates about the project will be posted on bctransit.com/victoria/transit-future/corporate-infrastructure-initiatives.
BC Transit remains committed to working with local government partners and our customers to make transit a viable and attractive transportation choice.
Media Contact
Jonathon Dyck
BC Transit
Communications Manager
250-995-5720
media@bctransit.com
