Transit News

Well I was a bit shocked today. I got on a packed C64 to Langley Centre from my place to catch a packed 502 to Surrey Central. In fact the 502 was so packed, the bus drive had to pass on two riders while we were still in Downtown Langley. This was all at 11:00am! Anyway, this got me thinking about TransLink’s “big” transit improvements starting on September 1st. You can read more about it at their website, but here is a taste of the improvements for the South Fraser.


Improvements for Surrey/White Rock

323 Surrey Central Station/Newton Exchange
324 Surrey Central Station/Newton Exchange
325 Surrey Central Station/Newton Exchange
-Weekend/holiday service improved to run every 30 minutes along each of the three routes.


345 White Rock Centre/King George Station
-Monday – Friday service improved to run every 30 minutes, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Also, schedule adjustments will create better service coordination with the improved 375 service (see 375 listing below).

375 White Rock South/Guildford
-Service improved to run every 30 minutes, Monday – Friday 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. and weekends/holidays 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Also, schedule adjustments will create better service coordination with the improved 345 service (see 345 listing above).

C74 Fraser Heights/Guildford/Surrey Central Station
-Westbound Monday - Friday morning service starts earlier with two new trips from Fraser Heights.


Improvements for Langley

*Tumble Week*


In other news, the province is finally getting started on a transit improvement study for the South Fraser and Fraser Valley region that includes the promised Interurban study. According to an article in the Langley Times:

Everything from paratransit to commuter rail would be considered, according to the request for qualifications document posted by the ministry.

And ministry officials confirm it will also examine the use of the former interurban passenger rail corridor, which is now used only by freight trains but favoured by groups demanding a new light rail service connecting communities from Surrey to Chilliwack.

"The study is definitely going to be considering the Southern Rail corridor," ministry spokesman Dave Crebo said. "That is one of the options we'll be looking at."

Transportation minister Kevin Falcon pledged in January to take a wide-ranging look at valley transit options, including the old interurban corridor.

The report will be complete by the end of 2009. Just in time to miss this year’s municipal and next year’s provincial election.