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The Need for Passenger Rail

For a pdf version of this article, click here

October 3, 1910 – 2010

The monumental first Interurban train trip from New Westminster to Chilliwack occurred on October 3 1910. 100 years later, Rail For The Valley takes a look at some important current issues, and misconceptions standing in the way of a service today.

The Fraser Valley Regional Study

In early 2008 the Province claimed a major study of light rail would soon be released, but almost three years later the public is still waiting. The Province has hyped this simple FVRD report as an in depth examination of the feasibility of light rail. Unfortunately this is not the case. The study has little to do with rail at all and only encompasses the region between Abbotsford and Chilliwack. As John Buker noted:

“Given the public support for passenger rail, it’s hardly surprising the Province would try and pass off an FVRD report on Abbotsford-Chilliwack traffic projections as a meaningful light rail study. It’s very doubtful that the provincial report, when it is finally released, will shed much light at all on the potential for an Interurban light rail service.” “What kind of study examining the feasibility of light rail in the Fraser Valley excludes Vancouver, Surrey, and Langley?”

Realizing that the public deserved an honest accounting of the potential for light rail service on the Interurban corridor, Rail For the Valley concluded that an independent analysis was essential.

The independent Interurban Study is completed September 2010

One of the major hindrances to any light rail study to date has been both the lack of light rail expertise, and of a light rail industry    in    the   province. Provincial studies have relied on Heavy Rail consultants who are simply not qualified to do a major study of a light rail system. The Interurban report is British Columbia’s first study done by experts in the field of light rail.

A highly esteemed rail consultancy firm Leewood Projects Ltd, was commissioned by Rail For the Valley to undertake what stands as the most comprehensive and detailed light rail implementation study in the history of the Province. Leewood Projects is a professionally respected firm in Great Britain that has been involved in major transit projects such as the London Underground, and Croydon Tramlink.

The Province’s own lackluster ‘feasibility’ studies when contrasted against this groundbreaking report are embarrassingly inadequate. The Province’s inference that they have access to more accurate facts and figures is no longer just a myth, it is a falsehood. The Interurban report once and for all demolishes the argument against passenger rail service in the Fraser Valley. The findings of the report are clear:

‘This report concludes that the conversion to 21st Century Community Rail/Light Rail of the BCER Lower Fraser Valley Interurban, will bring positive benefits to the communities it will serve in; Economic &      Inward     Investment,       Tourism, Environment, Health & Social Cohesion. The early implementation of Phase 1, from Chilliwack to Scott Road in Surrey, will be the beginning of the benefits.’ (page 54)

Ridership potential of the Interurban

Light Rail systems around the world are built to attract ridership. These systems are most cost-effective when they are built in areas with less density, before heavy urban development takes place, such as in the case of the Fraser Valley. Failure to build in advance of density results in astronomical construction costs. Recent examples are the Canada Line, costing over $100 million per km, and the planned Evergreen Line, which will cost over $120 million per km. That trend of building late instead of early has cost BC taxpayers billions of dollars.

Led by the city of Surrey, the Fraser Valley is projected to pass Vancouver in population within the next 10 years. This is why it is imperative that this system be built immediately. Opponents in the Provincial Government have been trying to fool the public into believing that ridership might actually be an issue, simply because they would rather spend money elsewhere.

It is a known fact that comparable regions, even regions with less density, have effective light rail systems. We see this in cities such as Calgary and Edmonton. The recent Interurban study was undertaken by a prestigious light rail firm in England, Leewood Projects. It would be absurd for them to even include ridership data in their study. They have shown us that the system is very workable here in B.C. and can be built economically. If they were in the business of planning systems that didn’t work, they would not be the kind of firm that helped build the Channel Tunnel. This shows the hollowness of the Ridership argument.

Costs

According to Translink figures, the West Coast Express commuter service recovers more than 90% of its operating costs. This is despite the fact that as much as half of its budget goes toward a heavy lease fee to CP Rail. The Interurban corridor, on the other hand, does not require any lease fee. The right to operate passenger trains is already owned by the public. The Interurban would serve a population approaching 3 times that of the West Coast Express, and with no lease fee there is little doubt the service would quickly turn an operating profit.

Light Rail systems are one of the most cost effective systems in the world and one of the few modes of public transportation that can pay for themselves. Highways and roads on the other hand cost BC taxpayers billions. The Provincial Transit Plan calls for expenditures of $1.6 billion on buses alone over the next few years. Traffic congestion also has tremendous hidden costs: economic costs, health costs, and costs in terms of environmental pollution.

Ultimately, all of the Province’s current transportation proposals for the Fraser Valley will only serve to increase the traffic on our roads. Reducing road traffic reduces all of these costs. It’s estimated that the West Coast Express service is equivalent to taking 4,300 cars off the road and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 21,502 tonnes a day.

Opponents of the Interurban argue that, with the current Economic hardships, the timing for construction of an Interurban system is poor. In fact, implementing light rail on the existing Interurban Right of Way is incredibly cost-effective ($6 million per km compared to Skytrain $100-140 million per km). A proposed Skytrain extension as far as Langley will further bankrupt the transit system and communities in the Valley have made it clear they prefer more affordable light rail. The system will serve roughly a million people in the Fraser Valley, far more than any multi-billion dollar transit projects under consideration for Vancouver. The alternative to light rail service is to continue pouring millions into expensive government transit projects like Skytrain.

The Future

Today, we still have the opportunity to build a light rail system in the Fraser Valley economically, to all our benefit. The costs of failing to act now are extreme and cannot truly be calculated. A light rail network will help to relieve traffic on our roads, improving our health, our air quality and the environment around us. One day soon this service will connect all the cities of the Fraser Valley and Vancouver in a truly comprehensive transit network. The time to plan that future is today.

 

Myths and Facts

There is the need for the Rail in the Valley; but first, here’s a few myths you might have heard about passenger rail.

1. We don’t have the population yet. Maybe in 20 years.

In 1910, we had 18,000 people in the Fraser Valley, and we had Interurban passenger rail service all the way from Chilliwack to Vancouver. In the 1950s, we had 80,000 people, but the Interurban was shut down because people were driving cars instead. Today, the Fraser Valley has more than 10 times the population (around 1 million), and traffic headaches you’d never dream about in the 1950s.

And if we do reach some magical population number (that is never specified by critics) in 20 years anyway, why not prepare for it today?

2. We don’t have the density. We don’t have the density for expensive Skytrain, but we don’t need Skytrain. We need regular trains like we used to have, and we have plenty of density for that.

All around the world, light rail is being built in regions with comparable or lower density. We don’t even need to look to Europe – the spread-out city of Calgary has the C-Train, carrying 250,000 passengers a day.

3. Laying track is just too expensive.  Think about this. There are tracks everywhere. All across Canada. We could afford to build those thousands of miles of track when we were relatively just a few people, but now it’s too expensive to build a bit more track in order to connect the people of the Fraser Valley? This idea – that with all our population and wealth of today we can’t afford to build a few kilometres of new track – is laughable.

When politicians say laying track is too expensive, it just means they want to spend our money on something else.

But in fact, WE ALREADY HAVE TRACKS just waiting to be used. The old Interurban tracks could be upgraded for passenger service at low cost. All totalled, according to a comprehensive independent analysis by a respected firm with an expertise in light rail, it would cost just under $500 million for a Chilliwack-Surrey diesel service running every 20-30 minutes connecting to Skytrain, or under $1 billion for an electrified service running from downtown Vancouver to Rosedale, 12km past Chilliwack. These amounts include stations, trains and everything else. It sounds like a lot of money, but compare this to the $2.4 billion that was spent on Vancouver’s 19km Canada Line, the $1.4 billion pricetag for the Evergreen Line Skytrain extension to Coquitlam, $2.8 billion for a planned 12 km Skytrain extension to UBC, and the $7 billion and rising pricetag of the Gateway highway-expansion projects. Why not spend a bit of money on rail transportation in the Fraser Valley for a change?

4. The geography of the Interurban line makes it too slow and impractical to use.  Some sections of the Interurban track have a slight grade to them. This makes some politicians and bureaucrats claim that trains running uphill on them would be too slow, only travelling at 50 km/hr. It’s completely bogus. Once the track is upgraded, we can expect speeds of 80-100 km/hr in areas where the density of stations is not too high.

From its terminus in downtown Chilliwack, the Interurban track runs through Sardis, Yarrow, down to Sumas and up past UFV to Abbotsford. From there, it runs westward past Trinity Western University, through Langley, Cloverdale and Surrey, where it could connect to the existing Scott Road Skytrain Station. At the Fraser River, it joins other railways to cross the New Westminster rail bridge, where there are multiple possible routes into Vancouver. The Interurban track is walking distance from ALL of our South of Fraser colleges and universities, most commercial centres, and a short shuttle ride from the Abbotsford Airport.

Click here for a map.

5. The Interurban, and trains in general, are slower than cars.  It’s NOT generally true that trains are slower than cars. The West Coast Express, for example, travels at 110 km/hr and takes 73 minutes to get from Mission to downtown Vancouver – easily faster than a car, and ridiculously faster than a car stuck in traffic.

An end-to-end South of Fraser Interurban train trip would take a total of 90 minutes from downtown Chilliwack to Scott Rd. Skytrain Station in Surrey, independent of road traffic, automobile accidents or inclement weather.

With each year that passes, road congestion in the Fraser Valley keeps getting worse, due to a rapidly growing population. A few years ago, assuming no traffic delays and good weather, a trip by car to most places in the valley would have been quicker than a trip by train. Today this is often no longer the case: Today, commuters need to anticipate delays when planning their trips, and even with predictable traffic the time it takes for a simple trip from Point A to Point B in the Fraser Valley is taking longer and longer. Highway 1 congestion as far east as Abbotsford or even Chilliwack is now commonplace, and with the Fraser Valley’s booming population the situation is only going to get worse.

The train ride would also be much more relaxing than driving in stop-and-go traffic, you would actually enjoy the trip, and with today’s WiFi technology you would have the option of staying connected and getting things done.

Taking the train will not be the best solution for every trip in the Fraser Valley. But, with this option, an alternative will be provided for many travellers, thereby also reducing the congestion on the roads for the rest of us. In the future, with a rail line already in place, the network could readily be expanded, including a connecting line serving longer-distance commuters from the eastern Valley, such as an extended West Coast Express.

6. Rail services like the West Coast Express are heavily subsidized.  Not true at all. The West Coast Express service would actually be profitable if it were not for the expensive lease fee that has to be paid to CP for the use of their track. Unlike roads, trains can make money.

And unlike the West Coast Express, the Interurban right-of-way south of the Fraser River is owned by the government, as well as the rights to run passenger rail on the track. No expensive lease fees here. The Interurban would serve a population approaching 3 times that of the West Coast Express, and with no lease fee there is little doubt the service would quickly turn an operating profit.

Light Rail systems are one of the most cost effective systems in the world and one of the few modes of public transportation that can pay for themselves. Highways and roads on the other hand cost BC taxpayers billions. The Provincial Transit Plan calls for expenditures of $1.6 billion on buses alone over the next few years. Traffic congestion also has tremendous hidden costs: economic costs, health costs, and costs in terms of environmental pollution.

Ultimately, all of the Province’s current transportation proposals for the Fraser Valley will only serve to increase the traffic on our roads. Reducing road traffic reduces all of these costs. It’s estimated that the West Coast Express service is equivalent to taking 4,300 cars off the road and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 21,502 tonnes a day.

7. Trains would create bedroom communities.  The argument REALLY is: in order to keep outlying communities from becoming bedroom communities, the powers that be must artificially restrict the mobility of their citizens by denying us the right to travel in a relaxing, environmentally friendly way.

It’s backward thinking, an iron curtain mentality. And it’s wrong.

The train goes both ways. Just as good “rail” transit makes it attractive to live in outlying communities, it would also be a sure inducement for businesses wishing to relocate from the higher-taxed and congested Vancouver region.

Forget about bedroom communities. How about polluted communities? Increased smog, air quality alerts, growing levels of asthma and lung disease resulting from more and more vehicles on the road creating greater traffic congestion, emissions wafting eastward? That’s what we’re looking at in the eastern Valley without rail.

Passenger rail will help clean up the air we breathe!

8. We’re not a train culture. We wouldn’t get the ridership.  One second, one politician will claim rail will create bedroom communities. Then, another will claim that we wouldn’t get the ridership because we’re not a train culture.

Which is it, guys? These are just excuses for the status quo – the easiest answer is always inaction. Opponents have been trying to fool the public into believing that ridership might actually be an issue, simply because they would rather spend money elsewhere.

Light Rail systems around the world are built to attract ridership. These systems are most cost-effective when they are built in areas with less density, before heavy urban development takes place, such as in the case of the Fraser Valley. Failure to build in advance of density results in astronomical construction costs. Recent examples are the Canada Line, costing over $100 million per km, and the planned Evergreen Line, which will cost over $120 million per km. That trend of building late instead of early has cost BC taxpayers billions of dollars.

Led by the City of Surrey, the Fraser Valley is projected to pass Vancouver in population within the next 10 years. This is why it is imperative that this system be built immediately.

Anyone who uses the Skytrain or the West Coast Express knows that we are as much of a train culture as anywhere in the world, and if we are less so south of the Fraser, it is only because we have no trains.

9. With the current Economic hardships, the timing for construction of an Interurban rail system is poor.
In fact, implementing light rail on the existing Interurban Right of Way is incredibly cost-effective ($5 million per km compared to Skytrain $100-140 million per km). A proposed Skytrain extension as far as Langley will further bankrupt the transit system and communities in the Valley have made it clear they prefer more affordable light rail. The system will serve roughly a million people in the Fraser Valley, far more than any multi-billion dollar transit projects under consideration for Vancouver. The alternative to light rail service is to continue pouring millions into expensive government transit projects like Skytrain.

 

Let’s make it happen.

 

Send in Your Letters!

Rail for the Valley is an issue only because ordinary people have made it an issue. Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper is the simplest, most concrete thing you can do for the movement right now.

Send your Letter to the Editor to some of these newspapers (sign your name and address):

Abbotsford News: newsroom@abbynews.com
Abbotsford Times: editorial@abbotsfordtimes.com
Agassiz-Harrison Observer: news@ahobserver.com
Aldergrove Star: newsroom@aldergrovestar.com
BurnabyNewsLeader: newsroom@burnabynewsleader.com
Burnaby Now: editorial@burnabynow.com
Chilliwack Progress: editor@theprogress.com
Chilliwack Times: editorial@chilliwacktimes.com
Delta Optimist: editor@delta-optimist.com
Hope Standard: news@hopestandard.com
Langley Advance: editorial@langleyadvance.com
Langley Times: newsroom@langleytimes.com
Maple Ridge News: editor@mapleridgenews.com
Maple Ridge Times: editorial@mrtimes.com
Mission City Record: news@missioncityrecord.com
Peace Arch News: lpeverley@peacearchnews.com
Richmond Review: news@richmondreview.com
Royal City Record: editorial@royalcityrecord.com
South Delta Leader: editor@southdeltaleader.com
Surrey Leader: newsroom@surreyleader.com
Surrey Now: tzillich@thenownewspaper.com
TriCity News: newsroom@tricitynews.com
Vancouver Courier: editor@vancourier.com

Vancouver Sun: sunletters@png.canwest.com
Vancouver Province: provletters@png.canwest.com
-Sun and Province require name/address/phone.

-And send it here to be posted on railforthevalley.com.

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Letter Archive:

(download PDF - 122 pages)

Since we formed in July 2007, people who agree with Rail for the Valley have been writing many letters to the editor of our local papers. It’s working… The Rail for the Valley movement has been getting a lot of press! 

 

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  • Are modern streetcars the future?

    Due to the small backlash to TransLink's tax increases that were announced on Wednesday, the pro-LRT and pro-streetcar groups were out today promoting surface rail on CTV News as being cheaper and a fitting tribute to a past.     h...

  • Taxpayers entitled to better transit: Light rail advocate - News1130

    Taxpayers entitled to better transit: Light rail advocate Call comes as mayors float idea of two-cent-a-litre gas tax Renee Bernard Jul 08, 2011 20:34:59 PM FRASER VALLEY (NEWS1130) - If we pay the taxes, we want the transit. The proposed increase i...

  • Around Canada

    A column published by The National Post says Toronto has a fetish for streetcars and what the city really needs is more rapid transit subways to make it a world class urban area. The commentary compares Toronto with London and its Tube system:http:...

  • Before & after - TOD French Tramway style

    Angers: before and after the coming of the Tram Taken from http://www.lineoz.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19049&p=317604#p317604   The series of images shows the improvements in the urban environment that the introduction of an at-gr...

  • Trams are good for your health - 3

    posted from: The Regional Transport Strategy role of Tramways & Light Rail http://www.applrguk.co.uk/files/lruk%20v.1%20role%20of%20light%20rail%20&%20tramways%20v.%20150610.pdf Health Impact of Airborne Pollutants Evidence has now em...

  • Trams are good for your health - 2

    Public transport is good for your health and your wallet, according to scientists Switching to public transport could help you lose nearly half a stone a year in weight, new research suggests. Daily Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/health...

  • Trams are good for your health

    Woman gives up car to avoid buying gas http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Woman-gives-up-car-to-avoid-buying-gas-121424504.html PHOENIX - Two months ago, Nicole Underwood had an epiphany. “When gas prices hit $3.50 I was like, that’s it...

  • At least they're considering it

    The `it' is Light Rail, the `they' include:  Nashville http://www.nashvilleledger.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=52855 Ottawa http://www.ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/csedc/2011/05-12/03%20-%20ACS2011-ICS-RIO-0001%20-%...

  • LRT and Subway Construction Costs

    From the Toronto LRT Information Blog http://lrt.daxack.ca/blog/ Discussions on Toronto and GTHA LRT Possibilities Much of this site is devoted to promoting LRT as a viable alternative to Subway for rapid transit expansion within the GTA where capa...

  • Kisses on a postcard

    In the 19th & 20th centuries, Trams & Streetcars were part of the streetscape in towns and cities in Canada, Europe & America. Studying contemporary postcards, it can be seen how well this form of urban transport fitted in with homes, bu...

  • The Sunday Supplement Essay

    The fall out from Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts State of the City report Tuesday, has raged far & wide in the BC papers and on the blogosphere, not unexpectedly much of the debate has centered on the link between transport or transit, development or la...

  • Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts calls for street-level rapid transit in her city

    Light rail proponents say it's less expensive than SkyTrain They are cheering Surrey mayor Dianne Watts for her call for street-level rapid transit in her city Dan Burritt Apr 13, 2011 19:24:20 PM  News1130 http://www.news1130.com/news/loca...

  • You could waste away waiting for guided bus

    cambridge-news.co.uk http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/You-could-waste-away-waiting-for-guided-bus.htm Let's make no bones about it – we’re all getting on a bit while we wait for the guided bus to arrive. But two “passenge...

  • April Fool from Rob Ford

    Rob Ford’s Designs on Metrolinx (Update 2) http://stevemunro.ca/?p=5061 Posted on April 1, 2011 by Steve Updated 9:45am: Environmentalists scoffed at plans to convert rail corridors to roadways.  “Electrification of GO was our bi...

  • The Emperor has no Clothes and no Transit

    Vancouver is at first glance a beautiful city. It is surrounded by sweeping vistas and a dramatic skyline. The climate is moderate but spend some time here and scratch the surface and it becomes far less attractive. It is a city that is divided ...

  • Transit problems across Canada prompt calls for politicians to address issue

    Time to lead SIRI AGRELL, LES PERREAUX, WENDY STUECK AND JOSH WINGROVE Globe and Mail Saturday, Mar. 26, 2011 1:31PM EDT Commute times in Canadian cities are no longer just a source of rush-hour irritation, but a national liability affecting the eco...

  • Transit a hit-and-miss affair in B.C.’s Lower Mainland

    Wendy Stueck Vancouver— Globe and Mail Update Published Friday, Mar. 25, 2011 11:00PM EDT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/transit-a-hit-and-miss-affair-in-bcs-lower-mainland/article1957867/page2/ Shuttling sleekly between R...

  • Nobody's nostalgic for the freeway to nowhere

    Nostalgia over easy was the order of the day at Sinbad's, a waterfront restaurant in the shadow of the Ferry Building. The talk turned to fern bars, and fast cars, and long lunches in places like Paoli's. Remember the '80s? The men had narr...

  • Current issue of Trains should be required reading

    Matthew at Transport Action BC http://transportactionbc.wordpress.com/ writes on March 8th The April issue of Trains magazine has a special 48 page report on fast trains. It describes new high-speed trains in China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Europe...

  • Rebalancing Our Transportation Network: A Case Study

    Hamilton, Ontario has for long been promoting a Light Rail system for the city, details of their campaign can be found on the Hamilton Light Rail web site: http://hamiltonlightrail.com/index.html Details of the economic case for Light Rail are: http...

  • First interconnected tram-train service!

    On 12 December 2010, the first tram-train service in the French region of Alsace commenced. 5000 daily passengers are be able to travel from Mulhouse to Thann on an innovative, ecomobile transport route. read the article: http://www.sncf.com/en_...

  • Toronto again! Ford & Gilbert sound-off & more irrelevant comparisons

    Toronto owes mayor a thank you on transit Toronto Star.com February 24th http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/943888--toronto-owes-mayor-a-thank-you-on-transit#article Toronto owes Mayor Rob Ford a big thank you for three things. [Most de...

  • Around the US & Canada- Light Rail, Tram, Streetcar, LRT & Transit news

    Late February has brought a mixed bag of news on Light Rail, Tram, Streetcar, LRT & Transit projects in North America, some positive & some negative. The Cardinal posts a selection of national, local press and on-line Blog reports. 1) Gray: St...

  • Rail group: Provincial report biased - News1130

    Rail group: Provincial report biased Sheila Scott Feb 22, 2011 05:20:09 AM FRASER VALLEY (NEWS1130) - The group Rail For the Valley says an independent firm has taken a look at a provincially commissioned transit study into light rail released i...

  • False assumptions worry rail expert

    False assumptions worry rail expert BY PAUL J. HENDERSON, THE TIMES FEBRUARY 22, 2011 The provincial government's lack of interest in interurban light rail from Chilliwack to Surrey is biased and based on a number of false assumptions, according ...

  • New French Tramways

    Reims Tramway is under test:- http://www.lunion.presse.fr/article/marne/le-tram-a-lepreuve-du-feu http://www.tramwaydereims.fr/start.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reims_tramway and http://www.lineoz.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10893&s...

  • Susan Heyes and the Canada Line fiasco - Justice denied!

    The Canada Line was never about providing good public transit for the region, rather the metro was all about political and corporate prestige. The Vancouver International Airport gang wanted a prestigious metro to connect YVR to downtown Vancouv...

  • Nottingham Tram - Councils Negotiate NET Settlement

    Nottingham NET Phase 2 Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council have negotiated a settlement which will allow the City Council to take the project forward as sole promoter. http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/netphase2/index.aspx?arti...

  • Light Rail, Tramway & Streetcar news from America

    The Cardinal has posted a number of news articles on European Light Rail & Tramway developments in the past month; now from the US comes news of two new transit scheme initiatives and developments on a third. Washington DC Streetcars on trac...

  • Birmingham [UK] city centre tram project moves forward

    City centre tram project moves forward Centro Press release Work to extend the Metro tram system through the streets of Birmingham city centre took a major step forward today after the Government made more than £75 million available for the excit...

  • 29 new Tram Projects announced for France

    11 February 2011  Railway Gazette Funding allocated to 78 French urban transport projects http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/funding-allocated-to-78-french-urban-transport-projects.html FRANCE: Transport Minis...

  • Dix in favour of light-rail transit in the Fraser Valley: group

    Dix in favour of light-rail transit in the Fraser Valley: group BY IAN AUSTIN, THE PROVINCE FEBRUARY 7, 2011 Advocates for light rail in the Fraser Valley can claim an early victory in their quest to get support from leadership candidates for the...

  • UK Government confirms local transport project funding

    Railway Gazette  04 February 2011 http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/government-confirms-local-transport-project-funding.html UK: Following a review which has brought a 14% reduction in the total cost, on February 4 the De...

  • Surrey Leader - Delta threatens to leave TransLink

    Delta threatens to leave TransLink Communities south of the Fraser River are not getting their money's worth in transit service, Delta and Surrey mayors say. By Kevin Diakiw - Surrey North Delta Leader Published: February 03, 2011 2:00 PM U...

  • Streetcars to roll back into New Orleans

    From the Tyee.ca http://thetyee.ca/ http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Transportation/2011/02/01/Streetcars-roll-back-into-New-Orleans/index.html Vancouver can’t hold a candle to New Orleans when it comes to food or music. And now the Terminal ...

  • Slowly New Orleans is growing back into a proper network.

    Streetcar service along Rampart, St. Claude is getting a green light Tuesday, January 25, 2011 The Times - Picayune http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/01/streetcar_service_along_rampar.html More than 20 years after transit officials began ...

  • Politicians talking about a split from TransLink

    Politicians talking about a split from TransLink Upset they've become a funding source for projects elsewhere, south of Fraser officials could form own entity BY SANDOR GYARMATI, THE DELTA OPTIMIST JANUARY 29, 2011 Lack of transit services for...

  • Hudson-Bergen extension opens in New Jersey

    Railway Gazette 01 February 2011 http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/hudson-bergen-extension-opens-in-new-jersey.html    USA: A 1·6 km extension of the Hudson-Bergen light rail line south from the former ter...

  • Light rail that works

    CALGARY— From Saturday's Globe and Mail by Marcus Gee http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/marcus-gee/light-rail-that-works/article1887237/ Mayor Rob Ford has left no confusion about how he feels about light-rail transit. O...

  • Proposal for Light Rail in Copenhagen

    The Danish Minister of Transport Hans Christian Schmidt will promote a light rail system using the bypass road Ring 3 west to Copenhagen:   http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2011/01/20/220647.htm   The Light Rail line will pass through...

  • Grand plan to bring tram system to Chester

    ChesterFirst  Published date: 24 January 2011 | Published by: Laura Jones   http://www.chesterfirst.co.uk/news/98061/grand-plan-to-bring-tram-system-to-chester.aspx MAJOR plans to extend a tram network from Manchester to Chester will b...

  • Hybrid tram goes live in US city

    http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/hybrid-tram-goes-live-in-us-city-2191448.html The world has hybrid cars, hybrid buses and even hybrid boats - and now it has a hybrid tram (streetcar), unveiled this week in a US city. The patriotic...

  • A Fix for Fraser Valley Transit, or is the Fix In?

    By Daniel van der Kroon, UFV Students for Sustainability Original article can be viewed here: http://www.footprintpress.ca/2011/01/winter-2011-issue-of-the-footprint-press/  

  • Light rail advocates take aim at province's transit plan for Fraser Valley

    Light rail advocates take aim at province's transit plan for Fraser Valley BY FRANK LUBA, THE PROVINCE JANUARY 11, 2011 A citizens’ group from the Fraser Valley believe the provincial government is off track with its plan to provide public...

  • Rail folks find study biased in favour of rapid bus

    Rail folks find study biased in favour of rapid bus BY PAUL J. HENDERSON, THE TIMES JANUARY 11, 2011 The provincial government's shelving of light rail from Chilliwack to Surrey in the long-awaited Fraser Valley Transit Study (FVTS) is "biased," ...

  • Surrey Leader - Bus-boosting study stacked deck against Valley trains: critic

    Bus-boosting study stacked deck against Valley trains: critic Critics with Rail For The Valley say the province's transit review concentrated on heavy rail service like the West Coast Express, rather than accurately costing out a modern light rail o...

  • High density urban living, not neccessary for good public transport

    Units not crucial for good public transport, study finds Andrew West, January 5, 2011 RESIDENTS of Australia's outer suburbs do not have to wait for higher housing densities before getting better public transport, according to n...

  • A 2010 retrospective and a happy New Year!

    It’s traditional for the media and bloggers alike to wrap up the retreating year or welcome in the New Year with a retrospective of all that was bad, depressing, frustrating, good, humorous, irritating, scandalous or just plain bizarre in the twe...

  • BCLocalNews.com - Study calls for major transit boost

    Study calls for major transit boost By Jennifer Feinberg - Chilliwack ProgressPublished: December 21, 2010 7:00 AM Updated: December 21, 2010 9:19 AM The long-awaited Fraser Valley Transit study quietly appeared online Thursday, with a cl...

  • Buses, not rail, laid out in Valley transit vision By Jeff Nagel - BC Local News Published: December 20, 2010 12:00 PM Updated: December 20, 2010 4:21 PM The Fraser Valley needs to get – and pay for – a much higher lev...

  • Study goes off the rails

    Study goes off the rails BY PAUL J. HENDERSON, THE TIMES DECEMBER 21, 2010 Proponents of the inter-urban rail line from Chilliwack to Surrey are critical of some of the assumptions underlying the provincial government's Fraser Valley Transit Stud...

  • Bus vs trains

    Bus vs trains Transit study favours buses over rail BY ROCHELLE BAKER, THE TIMES DECEMBER 21, 2010 A much anticipated study about the future of transit in the Fraser Valley has been released, and it favours expanding bus routes over re-establi...

  • Buses may patch Fraser Valley transit gap, but will they fix it? - Cayo

    Buses may patch Fraser Valley transit gap, but will they fix it? By DON CAYO 21 DEC 2010 Filed under: transit, TransLink More buses — a lot more — are the best bet for commuters in the fast-growing Fraser Valley, according to to ...

  • Study: not enough demand for rail service to Fraser Valley - News1130

    Study: not enough demand for rail service to Fraser Valley The province will use this information to plan transit projects to the Fraser Valley over the next 25 years Jesse Johnston Dec 17, 2010 13:24:22 PM VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The province...

  • Light Rail Transforming Cities, Guiding Development

    December 27, 2010 JJ Sutherland, National Public Radio http://www.npr.org/ It's hard to find a city in America that isn't planning, proposing, studying or actually building a light rail system. Cities as diverse as Dallas, Seattle and Washi...

  • From the Light Rail Transit Association - Mulhouse tram train ready

    Mulhouse tram train ready : On December 12, 2010, “the first inter-connected tram-train of France” will enter into service. The public will be able to preview the new line from the afternoon Saturday 11th when there will be free travel on...

  • What Fools We Mortals Be - Toronto's New mayor, Rob Ford.

    American style Tea Party politician and Toronto's new mayor Rob Ford, is taking the TTC back 50 years or more by forcing the TTC to build new subways, instead of much cheaper light rail. Ford is just mimicking the same bleat that American ...

  • Surrey's main issue is simple: better transit

    Surrey's main issue is simple: better transit Seven of every 10 people moving to the region in the next 30 years will settle south of the Fraser BY KELLY SINOSKI, VANCOUVER SUN NOVEMBER 20, 2010 Light rail and streetcars will be the talk of Su...

  • Surrey considers paying its own fare for better transit

    Surrey considers paying its own fare for better transit BY KELLY SINOSKI, VANCOUVER SUN NOVEMBER 5, 2010 Surrey plans to make a stronger case for light rail and streetcar service, and may even consider footing part of the bill if cash-strapped Tr...

  • Stephanie Ryan: Surrey should hold referendum on light rail transit in 2011 | Vancouver, Canada | Straight.com

    Stephanie Ryan: Surrey should hold referendum on light rail transit in 2011 By Stephanie Ryan, November 5, 2010 Surrey residents were invited to “be part of the plan” as TransLink held public consultation sessions on various technology op...

  • Centenarian ready to roll

    Centenarian ready to roll The Times October 8, 2010 On Oct. 3, 1910, the first Interurban train rolled down the track from New Westminster to Chilliwack. Over the next four decades, it was the main transportation link for people in the new rur...

  • Surrey Leader - COLUMN: Paying for poor service

    COLUMN: Paying for poor service By Frank Bucholtz - Surrey North Delta Leader Published: October 22, 2010 11:00 AM Updated: October 22, 2010 11:26 AM Despite millions of dollars spent in the past decade to improve transit service in the Met...

  • Pivotal transit study still stalled at provincial level

    Pivotal transit study still stalled at provincial level Further delays could impact local budgets By Rochelle Baker, The Times October 22, 2010 8:05 AM Fraser Valley politicians are growing increasingly impatient as they wait on the provincial...

  • Premier's transit pitch hard to swallow

    Premier's transit pitch hard to swallow By Brian Lewis, The Province October 7, 2010 Comments (6) A mother shoving cod liver oil down her child's throat in the belief it's a good health remedy — even though it tastes bad — is one th...

  • Foot-dragging feds slow train service to Seattle

    Foot-dragging feds slow train service to Seattle By Jon Ferry, The Province October 18, 2010 Comments (6) The news that Ottawa has finally approved the operation of a second daily train between Vancouver and Seattle for another year is a relief t...

  • Time to seriously look at rail

    Time to seriously look at rail The Times October 8, 2010 On Oct. 3, 1910, the first Interurban train rolled down the track from New Westminster to Chilliwack. Over the next four decades, it was the main transportation link for people in the ne...

  • Chilliwack Progress - RapidBus coming to Chilliwack, says Premier

    RapidBus coming to Chilliwack, says Premier By Robert Freeman - Chilliwack Progress Published: October 05, 2010 7:00 AM Premier Gordon Campbell’s promise at last week’s UBCM convention to extend RapidBus service to Chilliwack is ...

  • Abbotsford News - Too soon to pick SkyTrain over light rail: Watts

    Too soon to pick SkyTrain over light rail: Watts * Light rail delivers more bang for the buck By Jeff Nagel - BC Local News Published: October 04, 2010 5:00 PM Updated: October 04, 2010 5:45 PM Premier Gordon Campbell pledged to deliver ...

  • CBC News - British Columbia - VIDEO: Light rail recommended for Fraser Valley

    VIDEO: Light rail recommended for Fraser Valley Last Updated: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 | 10:45 AM PT Comments32Recommend20 CBC News A new report says a light rail commuter line with 18 stops from Surrey to Chilliwack, B.C., would be an in...

  • Rail for the Valley - Breakfast Television Vancouver - Citytv Video Portal

    Video Clip: Rail for the Valley (02:58) John Vissers from Rail for the Valley joins BT to discuss the possibility of commuter trains going out to Chilliwack. via Rail for the Valley - Breakfast Television Vancouver - Citytv Video Portal.

  • Langley Times - Editorial — Speed up transit decisions

    Editorial — Speed up transit decisions Published: October 05, 2010 10:00 AM Updated: October 05, 2010 10:01 AM Premier Gordon Campbell stated on Friday that SkyTrain will eventually be extended to Langley. In his speech to the Union ...

  • Study lauds light rail

    Study lauds light rail Light trains can carry South of the Fraser commuters, a new consultant's report suggests. By Christina Toth and Heather Colpitts, Postmedia Network Inc. September 24, 2010 One hundred years after the Interurban rail woun...

  • Report supports light rail

    Report supports light rail 'An honest accounting' of the potential transit system By Christina Toth, The Times September 21, 2010 Light rail proponents are optimistic about having passenger service return to the Fraser Valley after the release...

  • Mayor remains mum on latest rail system study

    Mayor remains mum on latest rail system study By Tyler Olsen, The Times September 24, 2010 Fraser Valley rail activist John Vissers hopes an in-depth report that bills the capital costs of a rail connection between Chilliwack and Surrey at $500 m...

  • Report supports valley light rail

    Report supports valley light rail By Christina Toth, The Times September 24, 2010 One hundred years after the Interurban rail wound its way across the Fraser Valley, light rail proponents are optimistic the passenger service can make a comeback a...

  • Chilliwack Progress - Regional transportation needs 'holistic' approach

    Regional transportation needs 'holistic' approach By Katie Bartel - Chilliwack Progress Published: September 24, 2010 1:00 PM Updated: September 24, 2010 1:38 PM As much as a light rail service could benefit the Fraser Valley, it's not the ...

  • BCLocalNews.com - COLUMN: We should get on track

    COLUMN: We should get on track By Frank Bucholtz - Surrey North Delta Leader Published: September 23, 2010 2:00 PM Updated: September 23, 2010 2:42 PM A study looking at resurrecting rail passenger service along the former interurban line n...

  • Valley residents on track with light rail

    Valley residents on track with light rail By Elizabeth James, Special To North Shore News September 22, 2010 "It's nice to have a Cadillac like the Canada Line, but the cost is prohibitive. If we're ever to get the co...

  • Valley light rail all go, twin groups claim

    Valley light rail all go, twin groups claim By Brian Lewis, The Province September 21, 2010 Advocates for reintroducing light-rail transit to the Fraser Valley along the old Inter-Urban route were building up a fresh head of steam on two fronts M...

  • Commuter rail service to the Valley is affordable - study - News1130

    Commuter rail service to the Valley is affordable - study Ninety-eight kilometres of light rail service for 500 million dollars John Streit Sep 22, 2010 02:43:36 AM 7 Comment(s) 1 Recommendation(s) VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Get people out o...

  • Abbotsford News - More ammo for light rail service through Valley

    More ammo for light rail service through Valley By Jeff Nagel - BC Local News Published: September 21, 2010 1:00 PM Updated: September 21, 2010 6:07 PM A new Chilliwack-to-Surrey light rail line could whisk passengers from deep in the Frase...

  • Chilliwack Progress - Rail For The Valley puts squeeze on city

    Rail For The Valley puts squeeze on city By Robert Freeman - Chilliwack Progress Published: July 07, 2010 8:00 AM Updated: July 07, 2010 9:20 AM Chilliwack is the only municipality in the Lower Mainland not on board a task force lobbying fo...

Archived Articles:

Since we formed in July 2007, people who agree with Rail for the Valley have been writing many Letters to the Editor of our local newspapers. It’s working… The Rail for the Valley movement has been getting a lot of press!