TransLink verifies majority support for Surrey Langley SkyTrain
- Media Release
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- For immediate release — May 23, 2019
SkyTrain for Surrey urges municipal governments across the region and provincial/federal governments to take note of overwhelming public support for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain that has been verified in TransLink’s newest public engagement, with the “second greatest number of responses in the history of TransLink engagements” contributing to the high support numbers.
In this first stage of public consultation for both the Surrey Langley SkyTrain as well as the 104 Ave and King George Blvd. corridors, TransLink collected 21,267 survey responses, with about 17,000 coming from residents in Surrey and Langley. In addition, more than 1,000 attendees were recorded at the four open houses. According to TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond, the only public engagement process that had garnered this many responses before was for a topic that affected the entire Metro Vancouver region.
Respondents were asked to rate their levels of support on a scale of 1-to-5, with 1 indicating ‘not supportive’ and 5 indicating ‘very supportive’. The following levels of support were recorded among the more than 21,000 respondents for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain:
- Surrey/Langley Residents – 85% in support, 78% gave a rating of ‘5’ (very supportive)
- Rest of Metro Vancouver – 84% in support, 74% gave a rating of ‘5’ (very supportive)
In addition to the over 21,000 responses, a separate market research survey with over 1200 respondents verifies the support for SkyTrain, with the following levels of support recorded for the project as a continuous extension of the SkyTrain’s Expo Line:
- Surrey – 82% in favour
- City of Langley – 90% in favour
- Township of Langley – 92% in favour
- Rest of Metro Vancouver – 84% in favour
From a sample of additional comments, staff noted that while some support had persisted for a street-level Light Rail (LRT) system that SkyTrain for Surrey fought against, “there were far more comments about SkyTrain than LRT”. Common themes among those in support for SkyTrain pointed to SkyTrain’s speed and efficiency, tying-in of Surrey and Langley with the wider region, and SkyTrain’s value as a “longer term investment”.
The record participation and high support is an important call to the provincial and federal governments, as additional ‘phase 3’ funding will be required to build the full 16km extension to Langley City. $1.6 billion in ‘phase 2’ funding remains secured for the extension, with another $1.3 billion (estimated) funding required for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain, pending refined cost estimates.
SkyTrain for Surrey started its initial advocacy efforts for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain in 2012, after it was proposed as an alternative in TransLink’s Surrey Rapid Transit Study but rejected by the City of Surrey at that time. We are proud to have played a part in getting the South-Fraser region on the right track with our advocacy for a SkyTrain project that is highly supported by the public.
Pictured in header: Early concept of SkyTrain Willowbrook Station
SkyTrain for Surrey is a BC-based community organization that has advocated for the expansion of the Vancouver SkyTrain system, including our successful advocacy for the under-construction Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension.
Media Contact: Daryl Dela Cruz – Founder, SkyTrain for Surrey ・ Phone: +1 604 329 3529, [email protected]
