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B.C. investing $2.4B in region’s transit improvements with Surrey-Langley SkyTrain included

But Surrey needs more than SkyTrain expansion, board of trade says
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File photo: Tom Zytaruk

The provincial government announced Friday it is investing $2.4 billion in Metro Vancouver public transit improvements with the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension and the “electrification” of TransLink’s bus fleet included in that.

This, a press release states, is part of the government’s “ongoing commitment” to fund 40 per cent of a 10-year vision wrought by the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation.

“This sounds like a repeat announcement,” Surrey Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman said. “Knowing how construction projects develop in this region, we don’t think this Skytrain project will be in service until 2030.”

READ ALSO: Council to vote on nearly $18M in road contracts related to Surrey-Langley SkyTrain

READ ALSO: Public input begins May 9 on Surrey-Langley SkyTrain project

Noting SkyTrain is very expensive to build throughout Surrey, she added, “There are other progressive modes of transportation technology.

“The investment announced today is positive but Surrey needs more transportation investments than this SkyTrain line,” Huberman said.

Meantime, the City of Surrey issued a press release Monday containing a statement from Mayor Doug McCallum saying the city “applauds” the provincial government for its “foresight and commitment to transit in our region.”

“With more and more people moving to Surrey and working within city limits, the Surrey Langley SkyTrain will have no shortage of riders when it goes into service in 2028,” McCallum said.

“With 39 per cent of emissions coming from gas cars in Surrey, this transportation megaproject will make it easier for our residents to choose fast, convenient, and reliable transit over costly gas vehicles. I want to thank the BC Government for their continued support of smart transit choices that will result in cleaner and healthier communities in Surrey.”



tom.zytaruk@surreynowleader.com

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About the Author: Tom Zytaruk

I write unvarnished opinion columns and unbiased news reports for the Surrey Now-Leader.
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