The District of Squamish and Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) are negotiating where a local Olympic transportation hub would be ideal. It's already been decided that northbound buses will not stop in Squamish, said Mayor Ian Sutherland. Southbound buses will turn into a bus depot, but where and for how long has yet to be determined.The district pushing for a central location, but VANOC has yet to come to a decision, according to Sutherland."We certainly want to find locations that allow people that are on those buses to get to see our community while they're here and that can happen in different ways. We keep on saying that, and hopefully we'll find a solution that works for everybody."Irene Kerr, vice-presdient of transportation for VANOC, responded to questions with a written statement."We are still in the planning and modeling phase of our Games-time transportation operations, which includes the scheduling and routing of buses in the Sea to Sky Corridor," stated Kerr. "At this time, it would be premature to comment on Games-time operational specific." Sutherland said the local activities will ensure plenty of public transportation throughout the entire community, but the crux of conversations with VANOC remains the same. "We expect things to be happening at West Coast Rail and at Logger Sports Grounds and downtown and in other places, so there are probably ways to get to the same end point. But we just want to make sure that if they do get off the buses, have a chance to explore the community before they have to get on another bus."Kerr said once a plan is drafted, VANOC will share the strategy with the community and the rest of the province."We look forward to sharing a plan that addresses both spectator and resident transportation flow in the corridor by late fall 2008."
