Governments of Canada, BC invest in Nanaimo Transit

City of Nanaimo – Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and his Worship Leonard Krog, Mayor of the City of Nanaimo announced a joint investment of more than $15 million to support public transit in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

The Nanaimo Downtown Exchange project will include the construction of an expanded off-street transit exchange on Terminal Avenue at Commercial Street in downtown Nanaimo, which is required for future transit expansion in the Regional District of Nanaimo. The project also includes an operator rest facility and layover parking nearby on Cavan Street, this facility will include washroom and break room facilities, bus layover parking and upgrades to allow safe access, and use of the site and is designed to provide improved operator working conditions.

This exchange will support a series of transit service changes that will improve bus circulation in the downtown area, and increases to transit service level frequency to develop the Transit Future Network. The transit exchange will also be designed to achieve the Security Achieved through Functional Environmental (SAFE) Design Standard certification, which is the industry standard to physical security that reduces the risk and fear of crime by design, policy, and shaping public spaces. This certification will help the local government create safe, secure and enjoyable places to live, learn, work and play. By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.