The Editor,
If given the opportunity, I would vote “no” to an LRT line from Surrey Centre, along 104th Avenue, to Guildford Town Centre shopping mall.
SEE ALSO: Light rail's fine, just leave 104th alone, resident says
There are many areas in Surrey that need public transit very badly but the intention of an LRT running along 104th Avenue is a waste of money that can be better used elsewhere.
This is because:
1. 90 per cent or more of the morning and after-work traffic stems from avoiding the toll on the Port Mann Bridge by taking the toll-free Patullo Bridge, going though Surrey and along 104th Avenue. This brings them either from or to Highway #1, and from, or to, the Fraser Valley.
2. Yes, the traffic at the end of a typical day is very heavy, because of the toll on the Port Mann, but it travels straight to Hwy. #1.
3. Those persons going to the Guildford Town Centre who are not driving, have many, many buses along that route which, except at end of day, are mostly empty.
I sincerely hope that if/when the federal government subsidizes funds for this area and Surrey, that some caveats are attached, to ensure that the monies are spent sensibly, and not, in my opinion, for ego purposes, which is definitely the case regarding an LRT from Surrey Central Station, along 104th Avenue, to Guildford Shopping Centre.
Rosalea A. Dennie, Surrey