The Editor,
Surrey's departing Mayor Dianne Watts told reporters at city hall one of the things she regrets is that she couldn't secure Light Rail Transit (LRT) for this city, which will probably do all of us very good.
It was three years ago when she announced her LRT ambitions on the basis that SkyTrain is too expensive and disruptive. But SkyTrain has spurred billions in real estate, building entire communities like Metrotown, Brentwood and downtown Richmond. It's building our city centre right now and is what's responsible for making it a more vibrant area.
Because of SkyTrain, Metro Vancouver's transit system is leading in ridership attraction in North America - ranking third in transit trips per person per year, behind only New York and Toronto. We're ahead of Montreal, Boston, and Washington D.C. - cities with full-size metro systems - and far ahead of cities with only LRT systems.
LRT has its own downsides. It's slower, vulnerable to accidents, and we don't get many transportation benefits. A study suggested the monetary value of LRT's benefits will not recover costs.
There are other implications. The LRT or BRT plan to Guildford is very inconsiderate, removing two traffic lanes on 104th Avenue. Never mind the permanent effects - during construction, Guildford residents will be giving up quality transit altogether. Commute times to Surrey Central will double or worsen as 96 B-Line buses must share that one lane of traffic or detour. Graduating students and Guildford's many low-income residents won't find the options they need to manage busy lives, access jobs and get to classes.
All this for several (four plus) years to save one minute using the LRT.
SkyTrain can cost more money to build but will give us actually veritable benefits. Imagine this: vibrant communities and productive citizens. Less traffic and safer roads. Newton to Guildford in 13 minutes.
Our high-quality, grade-separated rapid transit system gives us these benefits and more, and I want to see the next Surrey mayor pushing for SkyTrain.
Daryl Dela Cruz, Surrey