New bus exchange and plaza opens at SkyTrain's Nanaimo Station (PHOTOS)

Jul 9 2020, 8:11 pm

Construction on the new bus exchange and plaza at SkyTrain’s Nanaimo Station in East Vancouver is now largely complete, with all buses now returning to the rebuilt bus exchange.

The bus exchange has been completely redesigned with a significantly larger public plaza, replacing a diagonal roadway for buses that cut through the corner.

TransLink previously said the old bus bay configuration, located in close proximity to the station entrance and fare gates, constrained the circulation of passenger movement at peak times, when long lines form for the buses.

skytrain nanaimo station bus exchange

Construction progress of SkyTrain’s Nanaimo Station bus exchange on July 5, 2020. (Kenneth Chan / Daily Hive)

skytrain nanaimo station bus exchange

Construction progress of SkyTrain’s Nanaimo Station bus exchange on July 5, 2020. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

The new design places the northbound No. 25 UBC bus stop on Nanaimo Street and the southbound No. 25 Brentwood Town Centre and No. 7 Nanaimo/Dunbar bus stops within a redesigned inner loop on the edge with West 24th Avenue.

A completely new public realm has been built, with new paving, large bus shelters, lighting, seating, bike racks, ticket kiosks, and trees and other landscaping. The BC Parkway route through the area has also been improved.

skytrain nanaimo station bus exchange

Construction progress of SkyTrain’s Nanaimo Station bus exchange on July 5, 2020. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

skytrain nanaimo station bus exchange

Construction progress of SkyTrain’s Nanaimo Station bus exchange on July 5, 2020. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

An existing retail kiosk has been relocated and upgraded, although it is already a target for vandals with graffiti covering its exterior.

Construction on this project first began in January 2019. On an average weekday in 2018, Nanaimo Station saw an average of 7,000 train boardings and about 5,000 bus boardings.

skytrain nanaimo station bus exchange

Construction progress of SkyTrain’s Nanaimo Station bus exchange on July 5, 2020. (Kenneth Chan / Daily Hive)

skytrain nanaimo station bus exchange

Construction progress of SkyTrain’s Nanaimo Station bus exchange on July 5, 2020. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

The public transit authority recently reopened Lonsdale Quay Bus Exchange following an extensive $15-million renovation, with the finishing touches expected to reach completion later this summer.

Additionally, later this year, the new $7.5-million bus exchange for SkyTrain’s Richmond-Brighouse Station is expected to reach full completion and open.

Previous configuration of Nanaimo Station:

Nanaimo Station bus exchange

The existing Nanaimo Station bus exchange. (Google Maps)

New configuration of Nanaimo Station:

Nanaimo Station bus exchange

Artistic rendering of the new Nanaimo Station bus exchange. (Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects + Designers Inc./TransLink)

Kenneth ChanKenneth Chan

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