Transit Tom has come up with a way of winning the space race.

Metro's streets and transit committee Wednesday approved an $8 million transit garage and overhaul centre which one Metro councillor termed the "most modern and efficient in the country."

Since 1960, when Metro took over transit operations, Transit Tom has become more and more cramped for space at 10 Fort St. And Committee Chairman Charles Huband confessed Wednesday the corporation has had to hold back ordering more buses because there's no place to keep them.

If the new facility is not thrown out by council, tenders will be called in the fall and it will be built on 22 acres of land at the intersection of Brandon Ave. and Osborne St.

In an intensive report, consulting engineers A. D. Margison and Associates Ltd., have recommended a 420-bus parking garage and a two-storey assembly-line overhaul and storage building.

The parking garage would have a special drive in bay to wash and fuel, and check oil, water, tires, and lights of every bus after each day's run.

Automatically the buses will move from the interior vacuum cleaning area to go through the exterior wash cycle. Like a gigantic car wash the whole outside of the bus will be scrubbed down without a workman bending an elbow as the huge conveyor belt pulls it through the serive bay.

As the buses needing repair enter the overhaul area, a dozen specialized departments will be available. Along with general repair shops, there will be shops for body work, painting, engine overhaul tire repairs, upholstery repairs, radiator work and battery service.

The total cost of all the equipment and machinery is expected to be close to half a million dollars.

Besides the maintenance facilities, the consulting engineer estimates about 25,000 square feet of floor space will be needed to keep supplies on hand.

In his plans, he sets aside special storage facilities on he second floor of the overhaul building for parts for Japanese buses. The major parts for the other buses would be kept at the General Motors parts depot.

One of the main reasons for choosing the Brandon-Osborne site was its easy access to major bus routes. At 10 Fort St. buses have a difficult time getting on the road and away to their routes.

With the new facilities, it's estimated buses could get on the road at a rate of about seven per minute during the peak exit periods.

About 15 other possible sites were studied for the complex but Coun. Huband said there's a possibility of another major north-south street near Brandon and Osborne, increasing efficiency of the transit service even more.

Although the committee had considered moving all the streets and transit division offices to the new site, the consulting engineer recommended moving only personnel directly involved in operations.

Offices located in the overhaul building, will include space for dispatchers, timekeepers, supervisors and driving instruction classrooms, as well as a cafeteria.