Surrey’s main issue is simple: better transit – From the Vancouver Sun
Kudos’ for Surrey mayor Diane Watts to think “out of the SkyTrain box” and think light rail, but to do so requires hiring real light rail experts to assist local planners and engineers in planning a usable and efficient LRT/tram network in Surrey.
Our local transportation planners still do not get it that the difference between a streetcar and light rail is the quality of rights-of-way, which a streetcar operates on-street, with little or no priority at intersections and LRT operates on an exclusive (reserved)Ai??R-O-W, which could be on a grassed median or an HOV lane (with rails) on a street with full priority signaling at intersections.
As recounted many times on this blog, the advantages of LRT/streetcar far outweigh any advantage by SkyTrain and this is what makes the SkyTrain lobby so nervous; if a stand alone light rail/streetcar operation opens in Surrey, then there will be an equal (oranges on oranges) comparison between the two modes. If a direct coma prison between SkyTrain and LRT happens in the region, regional politicians and bureaucrats will understand in short order why no other city in North America and Europe build with or rely on SkyTrain for urban transit. Modern LRT operating in surrey would show 30 years of professional misconduct in the regions transportation planning and the consequences of such planning.
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Ai??Light rail is simply a streetcar which operates on a reserved rights-of-way with priority signaling at intersections
Surrey’s main issue is simple: better transit
By Kelly Sinoski, Vancouver Sun
Light rail and streetcars will be the talk of Surrey over the next year, as Mayor Dianne Watts and her Surrey First slate-mates attempt to beef up transit south of the Fraser.
Transit is getting a big push from the city council, which has already made headway on most of its campaign goals after being elected in 2008, but has been hamstrung in its bid to get light rail because of TransLinkai??i??s financial woes.
But with Surrey finally considered a priority for transit by Metro Vancouver ai??i?? and the focus of a rapid-transit study by TransLink ai??i?? Watts hopes her city will soon see some improvements.
City council recently toured Portland, Ore., which has a mix of streetcars, light rail and buses, something Watts would like to see for Surrey.
ai???We have to make sure our voice is heard at the table around transportation,ai??? Watts said. ai???We have to make sure we can manage the influx of people coming into the region.ai???
Another one million people are expected to move to Metro Vancouver in the next 30 years, with 70 per cent of those settling south of the Fraser. Yet despite its growing population, Surrey is still underserved when it comes to transit, councillors say.
During the 2008 election, all but one of the Surrey First team members listed transit as a priority, pointing out that while Surrey pays a hefty chunk of money to TransLink, it doesnai??i??t see any rewards.
Their preference is for light rail, which has an estimated cost of $27 million per kilometre versus $127 million per km for the Evergreen Line and $233 million per km for the UBC/Broadway Line.
Coun. Judy Villeneuve said following the visit to Portland, city councillors will be ai???building a case that putting light rail or streetcars in certain neighbourhoods in our city will be affordable in the long run.ai???
Watts said city staff is in the midst of developing an integrated transit plan, which would consider all the options. Council is also in discussions with the province and TransLink.
Her view is that light rail is better for economic development and not as unsightly as SkyTrain.
It is also a core plank of the cityai??i??s vision to create a safe, more connected metropolitan core where people can live, work and play. Other goals include preserving park space, getting the homeless off the street and boosting jobs and investment.
ai???Thereai??i??s certainly a long way to go,ai??? Watts said, but added: ai???My concentration is on making a livable community and building the second metropolitan core of the region.ai???
Watts noted the city has already set up a homelessness and housing foundation, which has significantly reduced Surreyai??i??s homeless count by using permanent housing and not shelters. It has reduced crime and planted 200,000 trees around the city. A Build Surrey project has boosted investment, while Watts plans to lead a contingent of business people to India next year to market the city and try to drum up new business in B.C.ai??i??s second-largest city.
ai???Ultimately, the thrust is taking the city from being planned as a suburb to becoming the next metropolitan core and an economic generator for the region,ai??? Watts said.
ai???I donai??i??t particularly make election promises. It is important to lay out the vision and lay out how to get there.ai???
Villeneuve said Surrey is ai???right on trackai??? in reaching many of its goals, pointing out that instead of shelving reports like the crime reduction strategy, Surrey is acting on the recommendations. Its Build Surrey project, for instance, will result in new recreation and arts facilities across the city, while 512 homeless have been placed in permanent homes over the past two years.
Coun. Bob Bose, who doesnai??i??t belong to the Surrey First slate, said the Surrey First slate has been ai???very cohesiveai??? and canai??i??t be faulted for not achieving its plans for light rail.
ai???Transit is a big challenge,ai??? he said. ai???The question is whether theyai??i??re making the best use of their resources.ai???Bose said while heai??i??s a big supporter of moving City Hall to Whalley, council could have spared the expense and put some of the $150 million cost into streetcars or other transit in neighbouring communities.
He also complained that city council was buying and developing land in Campbell Heights to pay for the new City hall facility.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Surrey+main+issue+simple+better+transit/3858758/story.html
