1. A case for new transit options in the south Fraser region
Presented To:
New Westminster Environmental Partners (NWEP) AGM
The Evolution of Transportation
South Fraser OnTrax
November 9, 2010
2. WHO IS SOUTH FRASER ONTRAX ?
Not For Profit / Non-Partisan BC Society Founded in April
2008
Advocate for smart growth development and transit options
Sponsor several free public education workshops each year
We advocate by engaging public officials in open discussions
We listen to reason – We encourage SOLUTIONS
“We engage – We DON’T Protest”
A Holistic Approach to Transit
3. THE ISSUES WE SEE AND HEAR
“Transit Deficit” in south Fraser (SF) region
Current focus = get people to Vancouver ??
TransLink numbers show need for SF community connections
SF = roads and buses only - no LRT or Streetcars
Aging population - transit for seniors and handicapped needed
Disconnect between development (TOD) & transit due to focus
4. THE ISSUES WE SEE AND HEAR
We are built around roads (mobility) vs. people & walkability
We have set ourselves up for what we have today
Local work options growing – much more needed
Long-term sustainable living/working/transport solutions
No progressive alternatives to goods movement implemented
Lack “complete roads” LRT – walkers – cyclers – automobiles
5. THE SOLUTIONS WE SEE AS PRACTICAL
Land Use Planning + Transportation Planning (in tandem)
Light Rail Transit servicing Abbotsford – Langley - Surrey
Open to alignment – Safety & Serves the Greatest Concern
Frequent LRT service with connection to region (MAX Line)
Community Shuttle Service is exceptional – connect to LRT
Local bus or Community Shuttle 15/15/7 – integrated LRT
Build Complete Communities (Metro Van Livable Region)
Complete Roads and Rail as Development Tool
8. ROAD NETWORK DEMAND
Increasing truck demand on our road network
-- MoT Gateway Program Discussion
Assuming a 50% goods movement by rail
BC Port Traffic x3 by 2020
17. The 200th
Streetcar Line
City of Langley
• Presently 20,000
• Pretty much built-
out, but pursuing
aggressive
densification;
could top out at
39,000
20. The 200th
Streetcar Line
200th
Corridor Total
(from 196 to 216)
• Presently 76,000
(65% of the present
total population of
Langley)
• Will top out at
184,000 (80% of the
projected total
population of Langley)
21. The 200th
Streetcar Line
Employment Areas
• NW Langley Industrial
Park
• Walnut Grove
Interchange
• 200th
Office Parks
• Langley Regional Town
Centre
• Brookswood
• Campbell Heights
Industrial Park
23. The 200th
Streetcar Line
Other Factors
• Regional links: The
Golden Ears Bridge and
the Interurban
•The Langley Events
Centre
• Open space still exists
along 200th
for TransLink
to purchase and develop
for funding
24. Streetcar Benefits
We know from studies of places like Portland
that streetcars do two things:
• They get people out of their cars
• They attract quality development
We need both of these on 200th
Street.
25. Light Rail Transit (LRT)
Fraser Valley Heritage RR (2010 Tourist) = $325,000/per km
Typical North American LRT = $35M/per km
Typical Light Rail Station = $ 5K - $ 10K
SkyTrain
Canada Line = $105M/per km
Evergreen Line $127M/per km
UBC Line = $233M/per km
Typical SkyTrain Station = $30M - 40M
COST TO BUILD LRT vs. SKYTRAIN
26. UBC Study – What Could $2.8B Buy?UBC Study – What Could $2.8B Buy?
12 km. UBC SkyTrain
175 km LRT
The Interurban settled the South Fraser Valley. The line touches a variety of strategic destinations
The Interurban settled the South Fraser Valley. The line touches a variety of strategic destinations
The Interurban settled the South Fraser Valley. The line touches a variety of strategic destinations
The Interurban settled the South Fraser Valley. The line touches a variety of strategic destinations
On opening in 1910, the Interurban served a population of 18,000. When rubber replaced rail in 1950, the population of the valley was 77,000. Today, we are over ten times that number at 850,000 and headed for a million souls in 2012.. And NO passenger rail options.
Recent TransLink trip diaries show that only 20% of traffic in the south Farser Valley crosses the river. 80% has origin and destination south of the Fraser River. Approximately 30% of the “moving” population does not have access to private motor vehicles. A Community Rail system supplies the largest demand most effectively.