Two ways to build future SkyTrain on King George Boulevard
- Reality Check
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- February 12, 2026
By now, I am sure that many in Surrey have heard about TransLink’s proposal for BRT on King George Boulevard. This is something that we welcomed as long-time supporters of BRT—having backed it through the planning that also led to the Surrey Langley SkyTrain.
At the same time, interest in a SkyTrain extension to Newton has not faded. Over the last few years the idea resurfaced repeatedly, including during the last municipal election–when several mayoral campaigns pledged to advance a second SkyTrain expansion after the Surrey Langley SkyTrain is complete. With another municipal election just around the corner, it would seem that the idea is worth a closer look.
There are two realistic ways to pursue SkyTrain to Newton. Below I’ll lay out those alternatives and unpack the key technical, operational, and planning trade‑offs that would shape each option. Both alternatives are automated, grade-separated metros running at high frequency; they would replace the BRT between Surrey Central and Newton, but BRT service would continue between Newton and South Surrey/White Rock.
Alternative 1: Expo Line branch
Terminus station (base case)
NORTH: King George Station
SOUTH: Newton Town Centre
Alternate terminus
South: 64 Avenue
Future extensions
South Surrey/White Rock
Number of Stations (base case): 5
Length (base case): 5.8 km
Alignment on King George: Primarily elevated
Type of system: LIM (existing SkyTrain)
Rolling stock: Existing SkyTrain cars (2.65m wide)
Platform length: 82.5 metres
Maintenance yard: Could use SkyTrain OMCs 1-5
Travel time (Surrey Central – Newton): 10 minutes
Integration with: Expo Line (to Waterfront)
Benefits:
- Existing system, proven reliability
- One-seat ride to all existing Expo Line destinations
- Direct to both downtowns Surrey + Vancouver: 1 transfer to YVR, UBC[1]
- Use of existing OMCs can lower land and staffing requirements
Planning considerations:
- Separation of Expo Line’s Columbia-Production Way branch[2]
- Platform capacity at existing stations (Surrey Central/King George)
- Construction impact to build a junction east of King George Station
- Alignment to return guideway to King George Boulevard
Alternative 2: Standalone SkyTrain line
Terminus station (base case)
NORTH: Surrey Central Station
SOUTH: Newton Town Centre
Alternate terminus
North: Guildford Town Centre
South: 64 Avenue
Future extensions
Highway 1 corridor
South Surrey/White Rock
Number of Stations (base case): 7
Length (base case): 6.5 km
Alignment on King George: Primarily elevated
Type of system: Selection flexible
Rolling stock: Can be wider (3.2m?)
Platform length: Can be shorter (50m?)
Maintenance yard: New yard/OMC required
Travel time (Surrey Central – Newton): 10 minutes
Possible integrations: Regional Rail Line[3]
Benefits:
- Separation of construction and operations from busy Expo Line
- Lower cost if design follows Canada Line model (i.e. shorter platforms)
- Additional extensions possible in initial phase (i.e. to Guildford)
- Superior mobility if integrated with a larger regional rail project
Planning considerations:
- Land acquisition is required for a new OMC
- City centre alignment (elevated or cut-and-cover tunnel?)
- Surrey Central location (on King George Blvd or City Parkway?)
- Platform access for transfers at King George
Timeline for construction
In our organization’s SkyTrain vision map (released in 2021), we recommended building SkyTrain on King George Boulevard before 2050, identifying it as the next major corridor to follow the Surrey Langley SkyTrain. Since then, several trends have strengthened the case for King George, but a timeline for actually pursuing a SkyTrain extension has remained unclear.
Even by the time the Surrey Langley SkyTrain opens in 2029, Surrey and Langley will be substantially larger cities; combined populations are on track to exceed 1 million shortly after opening, and will continue toward 1.5 million. In Canada, metropolitan areas of that size commonly support more than one urban rail line. If the region intends to rely on a single major rail spine as densities and travel demand grow, it risks capacity and connectivity constraints. Planning for a second line should therefore begin sooner rather than later.
For now, Surrey residents should support TransLink’s BRT proposal on King George. Well‑designed BRT delivers faster, more frequent service now and helps build ridership while protecting the corridor for future rail. With the recent $5‑billion reduction to the Canada Public Transit Fund, pragmatic sequencing—delivering cost‑effective interim projects that provide immediate benefits—has become more important.
That said, BRT and long‑range rail planning are complementary. BRT can create a multi‑year window to complete early works—detailed surveying, geotechnical studies, utility relocations, and roadway reconfiguration—so the corridor is ready when capital becomes available for SkyTrain. Thoughtful BRT design can preserve right‑of‑way, minimize future construction impacts, and keep options open for either an Expo Line branch or a standalone line when the time comes.
King George Boulevard SkyTrain - Timeline
SkyTrain to Newton considered in Surrey Rapid Transit Study Alternatives Analysis (options RRT2, RRT3)
Footnotes
- SkyTrain to UBC Petition — UBC AMS[↩]
- Movement — Network Southeast: Surrey’s Transit Future — “Reduce Expo Line branches”, p.42[↩]
- MVX Nexus Vision for Regional Rail — Mountain Valley Institute[↩]
Pictured in header: Render of future SkyTrain on King George Boulevard at Bear Creek Station (88 Avenue)
Reality Check
Reality Check is the online blog run by the founder of SkyTrain for Surrey, a BC-based community organization that has advocated for the expansion of the Vancouer 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]
