SkyTrain vs LRT cost difference exaggerated by Surrey Board of Trade CEO

In a recent interview with CTV news, Surrey Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman claimed that SkyTrain “costs at least three times more to build than LRT”. But, this claim on the SkyTrain vs LRT cost difference is misleading and completely false.

Cost estimates for a SkyTrain and LRT on the same Fraser Highway route were actually published by TransLink in July of last year. According to their estimates, a street-running LRT would cost $1.95 billion, while the SkyTrain extension would cost $2.9 billion. This is a cost difference of approximately 49%, not in excess of 300% as suggested by Ms. Huberman.

In addition, both TransLink estimates were stated in year-of-expenditure (2022) dollars and included a generous 25% contingency on much of the construction and design costs. We believe that the cost estimate for SkyTrain is overstated by as much as $500 million dollars.

SkyTrain for Surrey urges local leaders fighting for SkyTrain to stand strong in their dialogue with local business and community groups. Some of these groups may not have the correct information on hand and may have special interests which do not align with those of the majority of Surrey and Langley voters who have demanded SkyTrain–not LRT.