The people who keep Greater Victoria’s buses on the road now have a new place to sharpen their skills. BC Transit has opened a new maintenance training centre at its Victoria Transit Centre, a purpose-built facility designed to prepare technicians for an evolving transit fleet that increasingly includes battery-electric buses. The project, backed by more than $7 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, transforms what was once a tire storage space into a contemporary learning environment. “By modernizing training facilities and supporting hands on learning we’re ensuring transit workers have the tools they need to keep communities moving safely, reliably, and sustainably,” Nina Krieger, MLA Victoria-Swan Lake, said in a statement. While diesel buses remain part of BC Transit’s fleet, the growing shift toward zero-emission vehicles is changing the work happening inside maintenance shops. Electric buses bring new systems, high-voltage components and different repair procedures, creating a need for specialized training that goes beyond traditional mechanical work. The new facility was designed with that future in mind. Inside, mechanics will train on battery-electric, compressed natural gas, diesel and double-decker buses using equipment that mirrors the challenges they’ll encounter in service. A raised work platform provides safe access to roof-mounted components, while an overhead crane can remove battery packs from electric buses for instructional purposes. The centre also includes a classroom equipped for groups of up to 12 employees, dedicated workshop areas for practical training, mobile vehicle hoists, instructor offices, repair bays and tool storage. “This new training centre will allow our employees to advance their skillset and knowledge as we move forward with modernizing and replacing our fleet,” Erinn Pinkerton president and CEO of BC Transit said in a statement. Accessibility was also a priority during construction. The building features elevator access, accessible signage and barrier-free pathways, with the design meeting the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification standard. The training centre is now operational and will serve as BC Transit’s primary hub for maintenance instruction in the capital region as the agency expands its electrified fleet in the years ahead.
