UPDATE – Nov, 06, 2018: In light of the resolution passed by the City of Surrey council we are pausing work on the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT Project and suspending the RFQ process while we await direction from the Mayors’ Council and the TransLink Board. Read the full statement from TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond here.

Excitement is building for the Surrey–Newton–Guildford Light Rail Transit project—we can feel it!

The Surrey LRT is the proposed rapid transit project to connect the City of Surrey’s City Centre, Guildford and Newton communities. It’s the first phase of the South of Fraser Rapid Transit projects!

With the roll-out of Phase One of the 10-Year Vision, Surrey LRT project planning and public engagement is on track (pun intended). The project’s business case was recently submitted to the provincial government and TransLink’s now waiting for word from the Provincial government regarding approvals, funding and timelines.

Once we do, we’ll have so much more to share with you. In the meantime, with excitement building, the Buzzer blog would like to share seven things you should know about the proposed Surrey LRT project!

• LRT provides reliable travel – LRT is a new form of rapid transit in Metro Vancouver, ideal for connecting and shaping growing suburban communities. With service at street-level within a dedicated right-of-way and signal priority at intersections, LRT bypasses congestion and provides customers with consistent and reliable travel times.

• LRT is popular – Surrey is on the same path as major North American cities like Portland, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga and Waterloo where successful urban-style LRT projects are operating or under construction. There are more than 400 systems operating in about 50 countries and more than 200 cities around the world, moving millions each day!

• A good fit – Research shows light rail transit is the right solution for Surrey’s busy transportation corridor. LRT will help encourage new and sustainable residential, commercial and business developments, better manage traffic congestion in Surrey’s urban core and enable a more pedestrian-friendly and connected community.

• Will serve long-term demand – Surrey is anticipated to grow by more than 250,000 people by 2041. LRT provides the flexibility to grow both in terms of capacity and network coverage over the long-term that is unmatched by bus rapid transit (BRT).

• Good support for LRT from locals – According to a third-party survey of residents this past spring, local support for LRT is clear: 72 per cent of Surrey residents and 82 per cent of residents in surrounding areas support the project proposed. Additionally, 82 per cent of transit users and 58 per cent of Surrey residents say they are likely to use LRT.

• Good support for LRT from businesses – City Council in Surrey, as well as the Mayors’ Council and the Surrey Board of Trade are proponents of the project. The majority of developers who will be responsible for building supporting mixed-use communities around LRT stops and stations are also supportive.

• A first in BC – Once built and in operation, the Surrey LRT will be the first light rail transit system in British Columbia! Transit customers across Metro Vancouver will have the option to travel by bus, SeaBus, light rail transit, SkyTrain, West Coast Express and HandyDART.

Want to learn more about the Surrey LRT project? Please visit surreylightrail.ca