Surrey LRT
The proposed Surrey Light Rail system is a 27 km (17 mi) network containing three light rail lines radiating from the Surrey Central Skytrain station and transit hub. First proposed in 2012 by then mayor of Surrey, British Columbia, Dianne Watts,[1] the proposed lines are:[2][3]
- Surrey City Centre to Guildford Town Centre on 104 Avenue (travel time: 10 minutes).
- Surrey City Centre to Newton Town Centre on King George Boulevard (travel time: 15 minutes).
- Surrey City Centre via Fleetwood Town Centre to City of Langley along Fraser Highway (travel time: 24.5 minutes).
The lines on 104 Avenue and King George Boulevard would be built in seven years while the Surrey-Langley Line on Fraser Highway would be finished five years after.[2] A report (Economic Benefits of Surrey LRT) was produced by a consulting firm in May 2015.[4]
This project, among others including a new subway line in Vancouver, was included in the 2015 plebiscite on a tax increase to pay for transportation initiatives. The electorate voted against the tax increase,[5] however, current mayor, Linda Hepner, says that the city still plans to build it as it was the main component in her election bid.[6]
The project has been criticized by local residents and advocacy groups for issues such as a lack of travel time improvement, large annual operating deficits, vulnerability to accidents and a negative business case suggested by the original TransLink joint analysis.[7][8][9]
References
- ^ "Surrey's mayor renews call for light rail, regional tolling strategy". www.vancouversun.com. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
- ^ a b "Light Rail Transit". City of Surrey. 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
- ^ "City of Surrey's Vision for Rapid Transit -- LRT". video. City of Surrey. August 23, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
- ^ Shirocca Consulting (2015). "Economic Benefits of Surrey LRT" (PDF). City of Surrey. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
- ^ Francis Bula (July 2, 2015). "Vancouver-region tax hike transit referendum voted down by 62 per cent". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ "No means Yes in Surrey: Mayor Hepner says LRT still on track despite transit tax rejection". www.theprovince.com. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
- ^ "New campaign pushes for rapid transit from Surrey to Langley". www.news1130.com. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
- ^ "Light Rail Reality Campaign Video". www.skytrainforsurrey.org. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
- ^ "Surrey deserves better ・ Light Rail Doesn't Work". www.skytrainforsurrey.org. Retrieved September 5, 2015.