Cost increase shows LRT was wrong decision

IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Mar 8, 2016 – Surrey, BC

SkyTrain for Surrey, a grassroots organization opposing Surrey’s proposed Light Rail Transit, notes to all supporters and observers that the recently announced capital cost increase to $2.6 billion shows that Light Rail technology was the wrong decision for Surrey.

City representatives had cited the rising costs of land as a “huge component” in the LRT cost increase. This is a direct result of the choice to use Light Rail technology instead of SkyTrain.

The Surrey Rapid Transit Study previously noted that a Light Rail system on Fraser Highway would require as many as 90 additional property takes compared to SkyTrain. LRT would also require more road widening through Green Timbers Urban Forest with a significantly wider at-grade footprint.

Daryl Dela Cruz, our founding director, said:

“Decision-makers have amplified cost increases to Surrey taxpayers by choosing the technology with the highest land requirements. If LRT’s trade-offs had been reviewed in the first place, we could have avoided these cost increases.”

SkyTrain for Surrey is also expressing concern that potential cost-cutting measures hinted at by the City representative, including the removal of a station at 156th St, create more trade-offs on top of the 15 issues with the LRT proposal we’ve already identified (see skytrainforsurrey.org/issues).

Over 1100 supporters have joined SkyTrain for Surrey in opposing proposed Light Rail in Surrey, urging that it be changed to a SkyTrain system with Bus Rapid Transit instead.

About SkyTrain for Surrey

SkyTrain for Surrey is a local grassroots organization calling for a SkyTrain and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network instead of the currently-proposed on-street Light Rail system in Surrey. Our campaign has called on decision-makers to build the Langley Extension of the SkyTrain Expo Line, in conjunction with an extension of the 96 B-Line to Coquitlam Centre and White Rock.

Our campaign directors: Daryl Dela Cruz (Surrey, chair), Benedic Dasalla (Surrey), Jacky Au (Surrey), Spencer Whitney (Langley)