https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9ZzYtniw4k

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.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of British Columbia, John Horgan, today announced more than $3 billion in federal and provincial funding for two major rapid transit projects in Metro Vancouver: the Broadway Subway project and the Surrey-Newton-Guildford Light Rail Transit project.

Metro Vancouver is home to some of the fastest growing cities in Canada. Modern, efficient transit systems are needed more than ever to reduce traffic congestion, connect businesses and communities, and meet the needs of a rapidly-growing population.

The Broadway Subway project will add 5.7 kilometres and six stations to the line, bringing frequent and reliable SkyTrain access to one of the most congested transit corridors in Metro Vancouver.

The Surrey-Newton-Guildford Light Rail Transit project (LRT) will create the first light-rail transit system in British Columbia. With 11 new stations along 10.5 kilometres of street‑level track, the LRT will provide much-needed transit services in underserved areas, connect and revitalize communities, and make it easier to travel across the Lower Mainland.

We are working hard to make life more affordable, delivering the services you count on and building a strong, sustainable and prosperous economy that delivers benefits for everyone.

Working together with Metro Vancouver communities and the federal government, we are investing in transit and transportation infrastructure to get people and goods moving quickly, safely and affordably.

Why is this important for the region?

The investments in the Mayors’ Council Ten-Year Vision are essential for people in Metro Vancouver, especially as the region is expecting over 1 million more residents in the next 25 years.

These projects will create thousands of good, middle class jobs during construction. Once completed, they will meet current and future transportation needs, reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, and create more livable, connected communities. This will help people spend less time stuck in traffic, and more time with their friends and family.

It will also benefit the environment as people will have more opportunities to leave their car at home and get to where they need to go quickly and efficiently.

Building the Broadway Subway and the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT line will deliver cleaner air, faster commutes, and a stronger economy for the entire region.

We are also working with the City of Surrey and the City of Vancouver to build affordable homes along these new rapid transit lines, so that local families can reap the full benefits of these investments.

Adding rapid transit to the network will help reduce traffic congestion on key corridors, reduce overcrowding on transit in the area, and make the region better for everyone.

Demand for transit is only going to grow as we add more than one million people to the region in the next 30 years. In 2017 alone, TransLink saw a 6% increase in transit ridership.

Once these projects are completed, what will be the travel benefits?

1. Broadway

• Once opened, regardless of the time of day or traffic conditions, the commute from Commercial Broadway Station to Arbutus Street will take 11 minutes, saving the average commuter almost 30 minutes a day.
• This is huge compared to taking a bus which, with anticipated congestions due to growth in development, people and jobs by 2045— could take anywhere from 30 to 55 minutes, almost an hour, depending on the time of day.
• These times are reliant on time of day, congestion, and capacity as people can wait as many as three buses to pass them by before they can get on one.
• This gives people 30 minutes per day to be with their friends and family, to get some extra sleep, to pursue their own interests.
• 30 minutes per day, on a five day per week work schedule, gives people back 120 hours each year.
• And for an average 140,000 passengers per day, that will be a huge improvement on their quality of life.

2. Surrey LRT

• The LRT will operate in dedicated lanes at a frequency of every five minutes during peak periods.
• People will be able to travel from Guildford to Newton Station in approximately 27 minutes.
• The conservative estimate is that by 2045, customers will save about 16 minutes. Time savings are expected to increase over time as motor traffic volumes increase.

Who is funding and delivering both projects?

• Canada, B.C., TransLink and local municipalities are all funding partners in the Mayors’ Vision.
• The Province’s contribution of $2.54 billion will add up to 40% of the capital costs of Phase Two of the Mayors’ Council 10-Year Vision for transit in Metro Vancouver.
• The Broadway Subway, with an estimated budget of $2.83 billion will be funded and delivered by the Government of B.C., with contributions from the Government of Canada and the City of Vancouver. It will be fully integrated into the regional transportation network and operated by TransLink upon completion.
• The Surrey LRT Project with an estimated budget of $1.65 billion, will be funded and delivered by TransLink, with contributions from the Government of Canada and the City of Surrey.

Stay up-to-date with developments, and how these projects can better connect cities and people https://surreylightrail.ca/ and https://engage.gov.bc.ca/broadwaysubway/