Surrey transit worries inspire rally

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      A march and rally is taking place in Surrey to highlight concerns about a lack of transit service in the fast-growing community.

      The event organizers, a group called the Surrey Citizens Transportation Initiative, want members of the public to weigh in with their opinions on the issue.

      “Public, private and commercial transportation has become a huge issue in Surrey and Metro Vancouver due to population growth, traffic gridlock, green house gas and other pollutants,” reads a message on the group’s website.

      “The rapid expansion of marine ports has placed additional pressure on road infrastructures. Aging infrastructures such as the Pattullo and Port Mann bridges adds to our future challenges.” 

      “Citizen input into daunting transportation decisions, such as funding of TransLink, is critical to develop transportation systems that meet the needs of Surrey citizens yet also meet the needs of British Columbia and Canada.”

      The rally takes place today (February 26) at Central City Plaza in Surrey at 3:30 p.m.

      Comments

      5 Comments

      DavidH

      Feb 26, 2013 at 11:09am

      Nice timing for a transit rally - when virtually all Surrey commuters will still be at work (after a miserable morning commute).

      Ever heard of a Saturday, folks?

      Zoe T

      Feb 26, 2013 at 12:03pm

      There is relatively little transit in Surrey, because there is an even greater relative lack of pedestrians and cyclists.

      That is not Translink's fault, they are taking profits from Vancouver and pouring them to waste in Surrey.

      The blocks in Surrey are too long and optimized for motor vehicles. There is no foot traffic. There are few destinations.

      Transit does not mean free point to point long haul journeys. It needs frequent turnover along a route to work.

      What Surrey wants are subsidized taxis, because they want the service but they are protesting their poverty in being unable to afford such.

      Unfortunately for them, they chose to buy a house in Surrey and are more willing to demand someone else pay them after the fact and are unwilling to reconsider their own choices that contributed to a larger problem.

      DavidH

      Feb 26, 2013 at 12:58pm

      @ Zoe T: An interesting defense of the Ant Farm commonly called Vancouver.

      If you represent your fellow Ants, perhaps the best idea is for Vancouver to own, operate and fund its own transit system, instead of draining money out of other regional communities to pay for your endless buses.

      Other communities in the region, north and south of the Fraser, might decide to remain together ... but that's okay, right? Fewer dollars going into the Ant Farm will mean more dollars for us. Especially when the financial and political power south of the Fraser eclipses the once-mighty Ant Farm.

      jay riddy

      Feb 26, 2013 at 6:23pm

      @ zoe t ...
      you are absolutely right about the blocks being too long in Surrey ... that's why there is no pedestrian traffic and that's why we need to have buses ... you can't walk or bike anywhere in Surrey so transit is the only option for most people because most people in Surrey do not own a car ... I'm not sure where you're getting your information from but all you have to do is try and catch a bus in Surrey and 50 percent of the time it will just pass by you because it is already full ... so seriously ... what are you talking about?

      Evil Eye

      Feb 26, 2013 at 9:19pm

      @ Zoe;

      Let's see, let Vancouver taxpayers pay for the highly subsidized Skytrain and Canada Lines, which three pass through Vancouver and while we are at it, let Vancouver taxpayers pay for the highly subsidized trolleybus service as well.

      For far too long, Vancouver's transit has been paid for by taxpayers living South of the Fraser. I say, let Vancouver's taxpayers pay the full shot! Oh by the way, if the South Fraser municipalities split, see transit fares in Vancouver rise by 50% and property taxes triple.