BC Transit’s new $83.5M handyDART facility opens in View Royal as spring service begins

With the growing demand for handyDART services in Victoria, BC Transit has made a major step forward.

On Friday, March 28th, BC Transit announced the grand opening of their new fully electrified handyDART centre in View Royal.

The site is 8-acres, and has been designed to support the growth of handyDART services in the region as the population ages and grows.

In addition to improving these vital services, the site was designed to improve the ecological integrity of the degraded site—including a habitat watercourse that was reconstructed to reconnect with groundwater, as well as the replantation of 8,000 native plants and 350 trees.

The result is a fully revitalized space and over 1-acre of new, protected habitat for salmon and trout within the Craigflower Creek watershed. 

According to a media release, because of its environmentally-friendly design and commitment to long-term sustainability, this centre is the first of its kind to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standard, and was recognized with an EcoStar Award.

Not only is BC Transit enhancing its ability to provide accessible, door-to-door transit services for commuters with disabilities, but also contributing to the province’s transition to a low-carbon future.

The handyDART service is expected to start operating out of the new facility in mid-April.

This milestone was a collaborative investment of over $83.5 million from the Government of Canada, the BC government and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission. 

BC Transit spring service changes

In addition to the new handyDART centre, BC Transit also highlighted shifts in existing routes as demand changes with the spring season.

In response to increased need from commuters and tourists, and a decrease in post-secondary service needs, these changes will come into effect on Monday, April 14th:

• • Route 75: Weekday service improvements from Keating Cross Road to downtown.
  • Route 70 and Route 72: Improvements to ferry service connections and Sunday service for Route 72, with minor weekday time adjustments to Route 72.
  • Route 49: New stops added along Bear Mountain Parkway (Skirt Mountain/Langford exchange)
  • Route 76 and other post-secondary routes: 76 Swartz Bay/UVic will be discontinued until fall, with adjusted service levels on other routes serving post-secondary schools.
• Routes 32, 70 and 71: Temporary detours are in place near Uptown due to construction until June.

In response to public feedback, there will be general service level adjustments to Routes 24 (Cedar Hill/Tillicum Centre), 46 (Dockyard/Westhills), and 51 (Langford/UVic).

Additionally, there will be enhanced weekend service to Butchart Gardens for the tourist season.

To learn more or view the full details, check the latest Rider’s Guide or visit BC Transit’s website.