While local politicians squabble about expensive transit planning and gouging the taxpayer to pay for multi billion dollar transportation vanity projects, economic and user friendly TramTrain construction and operation continue to increase.
A Langley to Marpole trip in 50 minutes train service with three trains per hour per direction could be in operation by the start of 2028!
TransLink’s and the Province’s much ballyhooed Expo Line extension to Surrey really doesn’t offer the transit customer very much, except for a 60 minute ride (if their are no glitches) on a dinky and crowed SkyTrain car to Vancouver.
The Rail for the Valley TramTrain concept could do the trip from Langley (200th Street) to Marpole in 50 minutes, including stops in Cloverdale, Central Surrey, and Scott Road on the West side of the Fraser River and the 10 mph speed restriction on the Fraser River rail bridge. The Leewood/Rail for the Valley Study time matrix shows that a 23 km. journey from 200th Street in Langley to Scott Road Station, including four stops, would take 22.5 minutes and an estimation of the 22km. trip from Scott Road to Marpole would take 25 minutes – 50 minutes total; a few minutes faster for a much cheaper cost. The cost, in 2025 , $2 billion for a full Marpole to Chilliwack service, certainly looks more affordable than the $7 billion (including OMC #5) 16 km Expo Line expansion to Langley especially if one can get to Vancouver faster and in more comfort.
We are now living in uncertain times, with uncertain funding for transportation projects. To mitigate the endemic congestion and gridlock in the Fraser Valley, a Marpole to Chilliwack train service could provide relief to our over crowded roads as well serving over ten major transit destinations. Using TramTrain, would be a “cherry on top” for a modern regional rail service; a 21st centruy solution for the 21st century.
The Stadler GTW light rail car could use city streets and operate as LRT if need be.
