TransLink opens second round of public engagement with new Surrey Langley SkyTrain project details

TransLink has opened a new round of public engagement on the proposed Surrey Langley SkyTrain project, and rapid transit on 104 Avenue and King George Boulevard.

Following direction from the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation in July, TransLink is moving forward with project development on the proposed Surrey Langley SkyTrain. While current available funding would enable an extension to 166 St in Fleetwood, subject to business case approval by senior governments, TransLink has been tasked with planning for the full 16-kilometre line to 203 St in Langley City Centre. Read more »

#Transport2050: Douglas McLeod and the “Evolution of Mobility in Surrey”

Douglas McLeod, P.Eng., Transportation Planning Manager, City of Surrey

We’ve asked thought leaders to share their vision for the future of transportation. What do you see? Shape the future of how we move and live. Visit transport2050.ca

By Douglas McLeod, P.Eng., Transportation Planning Manager, City of Surrey

We live in a world constantly on the move. In a city like Surrey, that means 570,000 people all moving in different ways. By 2050, that’ll be about 850,000 ways.

Our best hope for a truly sustainable transportation future is a mobility evolution.

Read more »

New details on Surrey Langley SkyTrain Project!

We have new details and cost estimates for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project!

The project could be completed within five-and-a-half years from a full project approval date. Currently, we have about $1.6 billion available to fund the project, which is enough to the SkyTrain go from the current King George Station to Fleetwood. Any more work needed for the project to reach Langley is unfunded and would require additional financial contribution from other sources. The total cost to take the SkyTrain to Langley is about $3.12 billion. Take a peak at the breakdown of the financial costs and project components for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project below. 👇

This project would see trains operate every 4 to 5 minutes during peak periods and the total travel time from King George Station to the proposed Langley City Centre Station would take approximately 22 minutes. Proposed stations for this new SkyTrain line include eight in the locations below:

• 140 Street, City of Surrey
• 152 Street, City of Surrey
• 160 Street, City of Surrey
• 166 Street, City of Surrey (Fleetwood scenario, interim terminal)
• 184 Street, City of Surrey (Clayton scenario, interim terminal)
• 190 Street, City of Surrey
• 196 Street, Township of Langley
• 203 Street, City of Langley (Langley scenario, final terminal)

TransLink will recommend that a full business case be developed for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project by early next year. In the meantime, the Mayors’ Council will look over these proposals at their next meeting on Thursday, July 25.

New federal and provincial funding announced for Surrey LRT; Broadway Subway

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.

From L-R: Minister of National Defence, Harjit Sajjan, Kevin Desmond, TransLink CEO, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, BC Premier John Horgan, and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson at the major rapid transit funding announcement in Surrey.

Read more »

Take the survey on the Surrey–Newton–Guildford LRT

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.

As part of the Mayors’ Council’s 10-Year Vision, we’re delivering new rapid transit to the region, including the construction and operation of the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT Line!

This will introduce modern, street-level light rail transit (LRT) along King George Boulevard and 104 Avenue, connecting Surrey City Centre, Guildford and Newton with high-quality rapid transit.

Through June 14, TransLink and the City of Surrey want your input on key aspects of the LRT project and how light rail will help transform Surrey.

LRT is new to our region, so naturally there are some who are concerned about how it will work, and others who prefer alternative technologies for a variety of reasons. Read more »

106 new CNG buses roll into Surrey

Clean energy initiatives and safety are two high priorities at TransLink, which is why we’re excited to be adding 106 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to the fleet at the recently upgraded Surrey Transit Centre. All 106 of these new buses will also be equipped with bus safety barriers to help keep our operators, and passengers safe. Transit riders can expect to see these new CNG buses in operation in Surrey starting this week, with full roll out of all remaining new clean energy buses by the end of 2018.

Read more »

Seven things to know about Surrey LRT

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

More than 21,000 rail pads set to be replaced on SkyTrain in Surrey

Starting on October 23, we’ll begin replacing rail pads on the Expo Line between Scott Road and King George stations as part of the SkyTrain Rail Asset State of Good Repair Program.

On most Sundays through Thursdays, from 9:30 p.m. until the end of service, the Expo Line will use one track in both directions, around the area where the work is happening.

Customers are encouraged to plan for an additional 5-10 minutes for travel between Scott Road, Gateway, Surrey Central and King George stations. Please watch destination displays and listen for announcements. Know before you go by visiting translink.ca/alerts.

The project will replace more than 21,000 rail pads, which are attached to the concrete guideway to support the rail that the trains run on. The original Expo Line has been in service since 1986 and the rail pads in many areas were installed in 1992. These rail pads are now reaching the end of their life spans.

The work schedule is subject to change, and is weather dependent (work cannot take place in the snow) and will be adjusted to accommodate major events. Changes to regular operating patterns may also occur.

Thank you for your patience while we continue to keep the SkyTrain network safe and reliable for years to come. Rail pad replacement work is scheduled to be complete by spring 2018.

Bus Route Buzz: Surrey, Langley & Maple Ridge

Great news Clayton Heights, Morgan Creek and Silver Valley! Summer may be ending, but Fall Service Changes mean we’re sending brand new service your way beginning September 4!

Read more »

Look: Butterfly mural at Surrey Central SkyTrain station

Chrysalis is attached above the pedestrian walkway on City Parkway.

Have you been to Surrey Central SkyTrain station recently?

We’ve just unveiled a butterfly mural on the hoarding—or temporary fence—surrounding the Surrey Central Station Upgrades construction site.

Thomas Nelles, a Surrey artist, was the winner of an open call to artist to create a temporary mural. The theme chosen to inspire artists for their concepts was “Connecting People, Connecting Places.”

Nelles’ two-part artwork is titled Chrysalis and Butterfly Locomotion; Camouflaged.

Chrysalis, attached above the pedestrian walkway on City Parkway, is named for the stage that a caterpillar sheds its cocoon and transforms into a butterfly.

Butterflies have long been recognized as a metaphor for transformation. Nelles uses this imagery to symbolize the Surrey’s transformation from its agricultural past to its urban present and its goals for a sustainable future.

It also refers to SkyTrain’s history and its relationship to the city’s growth. SkyTrain arrived in Surrey with Scott Road Station in 1990 and Gateway, Surrey Central and King George stations opened in 1994.

Butterfly Locomotion; Camouflaged on the fencing surrounding the construction site.

The butterfly concept extends to Butterfly Locomotion; Camouflaged where a butterfly’s wings are designed as if seen through a kaleidoscope.

The mural, which is printed on mesh fabric and attached to the fencing surrounding the construction site, encourages viewers to see through it into the construction site. Its goal is to show change in a positive way, and its multiple variations of the butterfly speak to how every individual is part of Surrey’s growth.

To learn more about the Chrysalis and Nelles, click here.

Construction update

It’s full steam ahead at Surrey Central Station! Construction crews have installed site hoarding, poured the elevator and escalator foundation, relocated underground storm, sewer, irrigation and power utilities, and excavated the new stationhouse footings. Check out the photos:

When complete, a new north stationhouse with three additional escalators, new stairs and an additional elevator will make the station more accessible and convenient for our customers. It will also connect to a reconfigured bus exchange to make it easier to connect to and from the SkyTrain system.

Stay tuned for more updates on the project! For more information about Surrey Central Station upgrades, visit translink.ca/surreycentral.

Thank you for participating in the Broadway Extension and Surrey LRT consultations

Residents participate in the Surrey–Newton–Guildford LRT Project open house at Surrey City Hall on June 22.

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.

Thank you to everyone who shared their input in the recent rounds of consultation for the Millennium Line Broadway Extension and Surrey–Newton–Guildford LRT projects. The online surveys are now closed and all open houses for both projects are now complete.

TransLink and the City of Vancouver held four stakeholder workshops and three public open houses, hearing from more than 900 stakeholders and members of the public. As well, more than 3,000 online surveys were completed.

To learn more about Surrey LRT project, more than 430 people came out to two stakeholder workshops and three public open houses, hosted in partnership with the City of Surrey. We also heard from about 1,800 people through online surveys.

Stay tuned for updates on the next steps for both the Broadway Extension and Surrey LRT projects! We’re compiling the feedback received, and we’ll report on what we heard and how this input will be considered as project planning continues.

More than 900 stakeholders and members of the public participated in the Millennium Line Broadway Extension Project open houses and stakeholder workshops.

Author: Allen Tung 

Get on board with the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT project – June 13 to July 7

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.

Curious about the plans for the Surrey-Newton-Guildford Light Rail Transit (LRT) line? You’re invited to attend an upcoming open house to learn more about Surrey LRT and share your thoughts.

On June 13, we’re kicking off the next round of consultation, in partnership with the City of Surrey. You may remember that back in January 2017 we launched the first phase of consultation and we heard from more than 500 people at in-person events and 4,000 people through our online survey and feedback forms. Now it’s your turn!

Read more »

Surrey Vaisakhi Day Parade 2017

The Sikh communities in the region are gathering to celebrate Vaisakhi, marking of the birth of the Sikh faith, the creation of the Khalsa and celebrating the beginning of the spring Punjabi harvest.

Vancouver’s celebrations took place last weekend. Next up is Surrey with one of the largest Vaisakhi celebrations outside India boasting over 350,000 festival-goers in 2016!

This means from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. on this coming Saturday, April 22 many buses in the area will need to be rerouted to allow for the parade route and crowds.

The parade will begin at Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar at 9 a.m. and finish around 6 p.m. at the same location.

Detours

323 Surrey Central: Regular route to 76 Ave at 132 St, then via 132 St, 78 Ave, King George, 88 Ave, 128 St, regular route.

323 Newton Exchange: Regular route to 128 St at 88 Ave, then via 88 Ave, King George, 78 Ave, 132 St, 76 Ave, regular route.

324 Surrey Central: Regular route to 132 St & 78 Ave, then via 78 Ave, King George, 88 Ave, 132 St, regular route.

324 Newton Exchange: Regular route to 132 St & 88 Ave, then via 88 Ave, King George, 78 Ave, 132 St, regular route.

329 Surrey Central: From Scottsdale Exchange via 74 Ave, Scott Rd, regular route.

329 Scottsdale: Regular route to Scott Rd & 84 Ave, then continue Scott Rd, 74 Ave, into Scottsdale Exchange.

All detours with maps can be found at translink.ca/alerts.
Find more information on the Vaisakhi parade and festivities here.

Happy Vaisakhi!

Author: Adrienne Coling

Surrey Central buses are on the move!

Calling all Surrey Central bus loop users!

Starting Monday, April 10, Bay 12 will temporarily close for construction of a new entrance at Surrey Central Station. As a result, the 502, C71 and C73 will change pick up and drop off locations.

What you need to know:

**Update May 11, 2017**

• Stop move: The 502 Langley Centre/Surrey Central Station will move to Bay 6 (stop #55714) Bay 9.
• Stop move: The 503 Aldergrove/Surrey Central Station will move to Bay 6
• New stop: The C71 Surrey Central/Scott Road Station and the C73 Guildford/Surrey Central Station will move to a new drop off and pick up location at Bay 15 (stop #60153) in front of SFU on 102nd Avenue, or board at Bay 5A.
• Stop move: The C71 and C73 will pick up SkyTrain passengers connecting to the bus at Bay 14 (stop #61787).

You can learn more about the Surrey Central Station upgrades on our website.

Not sure where to go? We’re here to help!
Look for signage at the bus exchange, tweet us @TransLink or call 604.953.3333.

Author: Jessica Hewitt

Bus Route Buzz: Surrey/White Rock/Delta/Langley

Oh my gosh, we’re back again. Brothers, sisters, everybody sing. Bus Route Buzz is back… alright!!

This post takes a look at Surrey along with some highlights from White Rock, Delta and Langley.

Get ready for less crowding and more service!

We heard you!

C73 Guildford/Surrey Central Station

• We’re increasing bus service in your area to reduce wait times on the C73 Guildford/Surrey Central Station.
• Weekday afternoon peak services are increasing to run every 20 minutes.

Surrey

301 Richmond Brighouse/Newton Exchange

• Improve weekday service to operate every 15 minutes, up from 20 minutes, from 6-9 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.

319 Scott Road Station/Newton Exchange

• Improve weekday service during the following times: 6-9 a.m., 3-5 p.m., 5- 9 p.m., and 9 p.m. -12 a.m.

335 Surrey Central/Newton Exchange

• NEW LATE NIGHT SERVICE until midnight every day!!
• Increases weekday service between Surrey Central Station and Guildford Exchange to every 8 minutes from 4 to 6 p.m.
• Increases Saturday service to every 20 minutes, up from every 30 minutes, from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Increases Sunday/holiday service to every 20 minutes, up from every 30 minutes, from 5 to 7 p.m.

311 Scottsdale/Bridgeport Station

• Improved weekday service to operate every 15 minutes, up from every 20 minutes, from 6-7 a.m.

501 Surrey Central/Langley Centre

• We’ve improved weekday service from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. to operate every 30 minutes, up from every 60 minutes

502 Surrey Central/Langley Centre

• Improves weekday service from 7 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday service runs every 12 minutes, up from every 15 minutes, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• New late night service runs every 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday from midnight to 2 a.m.

555 Lougheed Station/Carvolth Exchange

• Improved weekday service from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 8 p.m.

White Rock

375 White Rock Centre/Guildford

• More late evening southbound bus service from Guildford Town Centre
• One additional bus trip on weekdays at 10:48 p.m.
• Two additional trips on Saturdays at 9:50 p.m. and 10:50 p.m.

C50 Ocean Park/Peace Arch Hospital

• Increased weekday service to every 30 minutes, up from every hour, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

C51 Ocean Park/White Rock Centre

• Increased weekday service to every 30 minutes, up from every hour, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

C52 Seaside/White Rock Centre

• Weekday service runs every 30 minutes, up from every hour, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

C53 Cranley/White Rock Centre

• Weekday service runs every 30 minutes, up from every hour, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For all the route and frequency changes, visit translink.ca/servicechanges.
Have a question for #DenisThePlanner? Use the hashtag on Twitter!

Author: Adrienne Coling