Light Rail Defenders threaten to derail transit progress
- Media Release
-
- For immediate release — May 12, 2026
LIGHT RAIL DEFENDERS WILL DERAIL ANY GOOD TRANSIT PROJECT THAT GOES AGAINST THEIR VISION.
After last night’s narrow 5–4 vote to advance the King George Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, one thing has become clear: a small but vocal group of Light Rail Transit (LRT) defenders is prepared to oppose any transit improvement that doesn’t match their outdated vision. Instead of supporting a practical, affordable, and expandable solution that gets riders moving sooner, they continue to push a technology that has failed to deliver on its promises in cities across Canada.
Practically everywhere we look, we see proof that surface light rail is just not worth it—whether it’s the ballooning costs for projects in cities like Mississauga or Quebec City (both cities’ projects now cost more than our Surrey Langley SkyTrain), or the delay incidents plaguing recently built light rail systems (Toronto’s brand new light rail lines have already seen four different shutdown events in less than 2 months due to accidents and blocked tracks). Despite this, light rail defenders continue to spread misinformation about both SkyTrain and BRT.
Here are three of the most common myths—and the facts that debunk them.
- MYTH 1: “BRT means we’re not thinking big.”
Reality: Thinking big means planning for SkyTrain—and BRT fundamentally keeps that door wide open. Just as the region’s first BRT (the former 98 B-Line connecting Vancouver to Richmond) helped build a business case to support funding and construction of the Canada Line, the King George BRT can help build that business case to support SkyTrain on King George Boulevard.
- MYTH 1: “BRT means we’re not thinking big.”
- MYTH 2: “BRT costs as much as LRT.”
Reality: Light rail defenders want you to believe that a BRT will end up being as expensive just because TransLink has not finished calculating the costs. However, actual BRT systems in Canada (like the Dundas, Durham-Scarborough and Pie-IX BRTs) are proving to be dramatically more affordable than light rail—and that matters when every dollar saved can be reinvested into SkyTrain expansion.
- MYTH 2: “BRT costs as much as LRT.”
- MYTH 3: “BRT prevents SkyTrain from happening.”
Reality: BRT is the only interim project that protects the corridor for SkyTrain, with construction even providing the opportunity to complete street redesign and utility relocation work necessary to be ready for SkyTrain. We can see this in Toronto: even as the aforementioned Durham-Scarborough BRT is in development, the City is now actively planning to eventually convert part of that corridor into a SkyTrain.
- MYTH 3: “BRT prevents SkyTrain from happening.”
Our organization supports BRT because it delivers real improvements now while preserving the future expansion of SkyTrain—the only technology capable of meeting Surrey’s long‑term ridership and growth needs. Progress is possible, but also fragile, and Surrey cannot afford to let misinformation or nostalgia for a cancelled LRT project derail the region’s transit future.
Pictured in header: Concept render of the future King George Boulevard BRT by us (Skytrain for Surrey)
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]
