IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Surrey, BC

Better Surrey Rapid Transit (SkyTrain for Surrey) expresses disappointment in a recent election platform announcement by the Surrey First party in favour of Light Rail Transit (LRT).

“LRT would be a giant step backwards for our city,” says Daryl Dela Cruz, a prominent Surrey transportation advocate and the campaign manager for Better Surrey Rapid Transit.

“I had a City committee, which included Councillors currently running for Surrey First, review a detailed Rapid Transit report revealing numerous flaws in this LRT proposal. If that should say anything to voters, it says that Linda Hepner and her colleagues don’t listen to the stakeholders.”

Surrey First candidates, as Councillors, previously failed to address issues pointed out in the LRT proposal – like what happens to the 96 B-Line during LRT construction. The proposed Phase I LRT – with a 25-min. travel time between Newton and Guildford – saves just 1 minute over the current 96 B-Line, and will considerably disrupt 96 service, increasing travel times, during construction.

Among other issues pointed out, LRT is very prone to traffic accidents and associated service disruptions – and makes streets wider and more difficult to cross for seniors and young children.

“LRT would be a giant step backwards for our city.”
– Daryl Dela Cruz, Campaign Manager

Our 16-page “Rapid Transit Vision” report, which was sent to the city’s Transportation Committee for review last month, detailed and advocated a more practical vision with SkyTrain and enhanced Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) instead of LRT. This vision also points out LRT issues and is available on our website at skytrainforsurrey.org/vision.

We are continuing to expand campaigning efforts this elections, and are working hard to advocate the best and most practical transit for Surrey.

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For additional info, contact: Daryl Dela Cruz, Campaign Manager – Better Surrey Rapid Transit.
Email: [email protected]
Call: 81-80-3962-9281 or ask for Skype handle
(Note: Daryl is currently out of country; long-distance fees apply)

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Featured photo above: On-street LRTs are vulnerable to accidents like this one, which disrupt other trains and passengers behind it.

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