Rail for the Valley
Target:
The Legislature of B.C.
Sponsored by:
The Fraser Valley needs passenger rail service now!
99 years ago, Interurban rail service on the B.C. Electric Railroad commenced, extending from Vancouver to Chilliwack. The track heavily influenced the Valley's growth, resulting in compact communities all along the line. While it was a tremendous success in its day, Interurban service was eliminated in the 1950s, as cars became the dominant mode of transport. In the 1950's, the Fraser Valley had about 80,000 people. Today, there are almost a million people south of the Fraser. Citizens up and down the Valley are now speaking up for Rail for the Valley - an alternative to the ever-increasing traffic we see on our ever-expanding roads.
The Interurban track remains completely intact, the B.C. government owns the right-of-way as well as the rights to run passenger rail on this track, and the line runs strategically through the valley, in walking distance of all the South-of-Fraser Colleges and Universities, and most commercial centres.
Studies have suggested a Valley-wide light rail service, from Vancouver to Chilliwack, would cost less than 5 km of Skytrain.
Light rail would provide a reliable alternative that is always there regardless of gas prices, road congestion, and winter driving conditions.
With political will, an initial service could be up and running in less than 2 years.
Rail for the Valley
99 years ago, Interurban rail service on the B.C. Electric Railroad commenced, extending from Vancouver to Chilliwack. The track heavily influenced the Valley's growth, resulting in compact communities all along the line. While it was a tremendous success in its day, Interurban service was eliminated in the 1950s, as cars became the dominant mode of transport. In the 1950's, the Fraser Valley had about 80,000 people. Today, there are almost a million people south of the Fraser. Citizens up and down the Valley are now speaking up for Rail for the Valley - an alternative to the ever-increasing traffic we see on our ever-expanding roads.
The Interurban track remains completely intact, the B.C. government owns the right-of-way as well as the rights to run passenger rail on this track, and the line runs strategically through the valley, in walking distance of all the South-of-Fraser Colleges and Universities, and most commercial centres.
Studies have suggested a Valley-wide light rail service, from Vancouver to Chilliwack, would cost less than 5 km of Skytrain.
Light rail would provide a reliable alternative that is always there regardless of gas prices, road congestion, and winter driving conditions.
With political will, an initial service could be up and running in less than 2 years.
Rail for the Valley
The Fraser Valley needs passenger rail service now!
99 years ago, Interurban rail service on the B.C. Electric Railroad commenced, extending from Vancouver to Chilliwack. The track heavily influenced the Valley's growth, resulting in compact communities all along the line. While it was a tremendous success in its day, Interurban service was eliminated in the 1950s, as cars became the dominant mode of transport. In the 1950's, the Fraser Valley had about 80,000 people. Today, there are almost a million people south of the Fraser. Citizens up and down the Valley are now speaking up for Rail for the Valley - an alternative to the ever-increasing traffic we see on our ever-expanding roads.
The Interurban track remains completely intact, the B.C. government owns the right-of-way as well as the rights to run passenger rail on this track, and the line runs strategically through the valley, in walking distance of all the South-of-Fraser Colleges and Universities, and most commercial centres.
Studies have suggested a Valley-wide light rail service, from Vancouver to Chilliwack, would cost less than 5 km of Skytrain.
Light rail would provide a reliable alternative that is always there regardless of gas prices, road congestion, and winter driving conditions.
With political will, an initial service could be up and running in less than 2 years.
Rail for the Valley
99 years ago, Interurban rail service on the B.C. Electric Railroad commenced, extending from Vancouver to Chilliwack. The track heavily influenced the Valley's growth, resulting in compact communities all along the line. While it was a tremendous success in its day, Interurban service was eliminated in the 1950s, as cars became the dominant mode of transport. In the 1950's, the Fraser Valley had about 80,000 people. Today, there are almost a million people south of the Fraser. Citizens up and down the Valley are now speaking up for Rail for the Valley - an alternative to the ever-increasing traffic we see on our ever-expanding roads.
The Interurban track remains completely intact, the B.C. government owns the right-of-way as well as the rights to run passenger rail on this track, and the line runs strategically through the valley, in walking distance of all the South-of-Fraser Colleges and Universities, and most commercial centres.
Studies have suggested a Valley-wide light rail service, from Vancouver to Chilliwack, would cost less than 5 km of Skytrain.
Light rail would provide a reliable alternative that is always there regardless of gas prices, road congestion, and winter driving conditions.
With political will, an initial service could be up and running in less than 2 years.
Rail for the Valley
Whereas the population of the South Fraser Region will soon exceed one million people;
Whereas experts predict gas prices will climb dramatically as soon as the global economy begins to recover;
Whereas the province has imposed a progressively increasing carbon tax on fuel, further increasing the cost of travel, but has not yet provided any transportation alternatives for those of us who live outside Vancouver;
Whereas a light rail service for the Fraser Valley would help British Columbia meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets;
Whereas Surrey's local representatives unanimously favour light rail over Skytrain expansion, with light rail being much quicker to implement and providing far greater benefit to businesses along the line;
Whereas Langley's urban density is as high as Burnaby's, Abbotsford is the 2nd fastest growing city in BC, and Chilliwack's population has increased by 50% in the last 15 years;
Whereas studies have suggested a Valley-wide light rail service, from Vancouver to Chilliwack, would cost less to implement than 5 km of Skytrain;
Whereas the Interurban track remains completely intact, the B.C. government owns the right-of-way as well as the rights to run passenger rail on this track, and the track runs strategically through the valley, in walking distance of all the South-of-Fraser Colleges and Universities, and most commercial centres;
Whereas Interurban light rail is the first step to a comprehensive environmentally sustainable Fraser Valley rail and transit network, and a reliable alternative that is always there regardless of gas prices, road congestion, and winter driving conditions;
Whereas an initial service would take less than 2 years to implement;
We, the undersigned, respectfully ask that the B.C. government immediately begin implementation of a light rail service for the Fraser Valley, serving Vancouver to Chilliwack and communities in between, using the Interurban track south of the Fraser River.
Whereas experts predict gas prices will climb dramatically as soon as the global economy begins to recover;
Whereas the province has imposed a progressively increasing carbon tax on fuel, further increasing the cost of travel, but has not yet provided any transportation alternatives for those of us who live outside Vancouver;
Whereas a light rail service for the Fraser Valley would help British Columbia meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets;
Whereas Surrey's local representatives unanimously favour light rail over Skytrain expansion, with light rail being much quicker to implement and providing far greater benefit to businesses along the line;
Whereas Langley's urban density is as high as Burnaby's, Abbotsford is the 2nd fastest growing city in BC, and Chilliwack's population has increased by 50% in the last 15 years;
Whereas studies have suggested a Valley-wide light rail service, from Vancouver to Chilliwack, would cost less to implement than 5 km of Skytrain;
Whereas the Interurban track remains completely intact, the B.C. government owns the right-of-way as well as the rights to run passenger rail on this track, and the track runs strategically through the valley, in walking distance of all the South-of-Fraser Colleges and Universities, and most commercial centres;
Whereas Interurban light rail is the first step to a comprehensive environmentally sustainable Fraser Valley rail and transit network, and a reliable alternative that is always there regardless of gas prices, road congestion, and winter driving conditions;
Whereas an initial service would take less than 2 years to implement;
We, the undersigned, respectfully ask that the B.C. government immediately begin implementation of a light rail service for the Fraser Valley, serving Vancouver to Chilliwack and communities in between, using the Interurban track south of the Fraser River.
We signed the "Rail for the Valley" petition!
# 901:
1:03 pm PST, Feb 6,
Regan-Heng Zhang, Canada
# 900:
1:58 pm PST, Feb 2,
Sandy McLellan, Canada
# 899:
2:52 am PST, Feb 1,
Kevin Kraus, Canada
# 898:
2:56 pm PST, Jan 28,
Debora Soutar, Canada
I'm a daily commuter to/from Abbotsford/Chilliwack. I would be very happy to take a train to work. My office is very close to existing tracks. I travelled all over Scotland by train and find it to be a safe, civilized mode of travel.
I'm a daily commuter to/from Abbotsford/Chilliwack. I would be very happy to take a train to work. My office is very close to existing tracks. I travelled all over Scotland by train and find it to be a safe, civilized mode of travel.
# 897:
12:59 am PST, Jan 28,
Joel Nagtegaal, Canada
The Fraser Valley is enormously under served when it comes to transit. For me to get from my home in Langley to a destination in downtown Vancouver is takes me over 2 hours if I use public transit. Everybody is saying that we have to "go green" but what is the point if I can save an extra 2 hours of my day by driving? Get me on the tracks!
The Fraser Valley is enormously under served when it comes to transit. For me to get from my home in Langley to a destination in downtown Vancouver is takes me over 2 hours if I use public transit. Everybody is saying that we have to "go green" but what is the point if I can save an extra 2 hours of my day by driving? Get me on the tracks!
# 896:
9:57 pm PST, Jan 27,
Drew Adamick, Canada
It it time for rail transit to finally be (re)introduced outside of Vancouver and its immediate environs. Bringing back Rail to the Valley will hopefully be the first step for the reintroduction of rail transit and passenger rail throughout the province.
It it time for rail transit to finally be (re)introduced outside of Vancouver and its immediate environs. Bringing back Rail to the Valley will hopefully be the first step for the reintroduction of rail transit and passenger rail throughout the province.
# 895:
7:49 pm PST, Jan 25,
Gordon Penner, Canada
# 894:
6:04 pm PST, Jan 22,
Evelyn Leclair stefanovic, Canada
# 893:
10:08 am PST, Jan 17,
Rodney Smelser, Canada
I think a service using the same rolling stock as the West Coast Express and running along the CN tracks could be a very useful addition to Greater Vancouver's transit system, as well as one running alond the Arbutus line in Vancouver and then onto Richmond, Delta, White Rock and Bellingham, and another running north to Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton. Like the main Lakeshore GO train line in Ontario, these trains should be running in BOTH directions, 18 hours per day.
I think a service using the same rolling stock as the West Coast Express and running along the CN tracks could be a very useful addition to Greater Vancouver's transit system, as well as one running alond the Arbutus line in Vancouver and then onto Richmond, Delta, White Rock and Bellingham, and another running north to Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton. Like the main Lakeshore GO train line in Ontario, these trains should be running in BOTH directions, 18 hours per day.
# 892:
9:33 am PST, Jan 16,
Lynn Perrin, Canada
All of the money being spent on the Clearbrook and McCallum upgrades in Abbotsford should have been used for Rail for the Valley rather than the Essendene project. all three levels of government cannot keep saying that they cannot afford Rail for the Valley!!
All of the money being spent on the Clearbrook and McCallum upgrades in Abbotsford should have been used for Rail for the Valley rather than the Essendene project. all three levels of government cannot keep saying that they cannot afford Rail for the Valley!!
# 891:
2:34 pm PST, Jan 10,
Cameron Carew, Canada
# 890:
1:58 pm PST, Jan 10,
Tage Eriksson, Canada
I'M 100% SURE A LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM WOULD WORK FROM Chilliwack to Vancouver. the benefits would be enormous .
I'M 100% SURE A LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM WOULD WORK FROM Chilliwack to Vancouver. the benefits would be enormous .
# 889:
7:53 am PST, Jan 10,
Graham Dalton, Canada
# 888:
10:13 pm PST, Jan 9,
Shawna Lawson, Canada
# 887:
7:46 pm PST, Jan 9,
Gerry Kilgannon, Canada
# 886:
11:42 am PST, Jan 9,
Douglas Aitken, Canada
An efficient regional rail network is indispensable for our sustainability. We are totally dependent on cheap oil which is fast depleting. The Fraser Valley is the lifeline for Greater Vancouver and we need sustainable options if we are going to survive.
An efficient regional rail network is indispensable for our sustainability. We are totally dependent on cheap oil which is fast depleting. The Fraser Valley is the lifeline for Greater Vancouver and we need sustainable options if we are going to survive.
# 885:
9:21 am PST, Jan 9,
Dennis Piva, Canada
I think light rail for the Valley should be some combination of existing tracks and/or a dedicated line running down the median of Hwy 1. I lived in the Lower Mainland for 9 years (moved back to Kamloops partly because of the traffic) and I think rail in the Valley would ease a lot of the congestion on Hwy 1. If the Westcoast Express is viable with 120,000 people living from Mission to Pitt Meadows, a Fraser Valley Express would be viable with over 250,000 people living in Abbotsford and Langley, to say nothing of 400,000 in Surrey and 70,000 in Chilliwack.
I think light rail for the Valley should be some combination of existing tracks and/or a dedicated line running down the median of Hwy 1. I lived in the Lower Mainland for 9 years (moved back to Kamloops partly because of the traffic) and I think rail in the Valley would ease a lot of the congestion on Hwy 1. If the Westcoast Express is viable with 120,000 people living from Mission to Pitt Meadows, a Fraser Valley Express would be viable with over 250,000 people living in Abbotsford and Langley, to say nothing of 400,000 in Surrey and 70,000 in Chilliwack.
# 884:
9:06 am PST, Jan 9,
Name not displayed, Canada
This makes so much sense both dollar wiae and strategically, it could add a valuable service to the outskirts of the communities along the line. Where we live there is no transit but this line could offer stops in the rural areas connecting to major routes. We are so far behind other countries when it comes to this kind of available people movers. At every Hwy exchage there are cars parked along the roads as people try to car pool, it is not the answer for all but surely will fill the need of many, not only locals but what a great day adventure for tourists too! WK
This makes so much sense both dollar wiae and strategically, it could add a valuable service to the outskirts of the communities along the line. Where we live there is no transit but this line could offer stops in the rural areas connecting to major routes. We are so far behind other countries when it comes to this kind of available people movers. At every Hwy exchage there are cars parked along the roads as people try to car pool, it is not the answer for all but surely will fill the need of many, not only locals but what a great day adventure for tourists too! WK
# 883:
11:43 am PST, Jan 8,
Beverly Jones Redekop, Canada
We own these tracks. It does not have to be faster than the highway to start: with laptops and cell phones, 90 minutes on the train would be more efficient than 60 minutes in a car. I want the option of participating in my society without owning a car. We need this train!!!
We own these tracks. It does not have to be faster than the highway to start: with laptops and cell phones, 90 minutes on the train would be more efficient than 60 minutes in a car. I want the option of participating in my society without owning a car. We need this train!!!
# 882:
8:49 am PST, Jan 8,
Name not displayed, Canada
I would use valley rail at least 5 days/week, often every day. Rail is simply a better personal transportation system than car/freeway; economical, safe, and stress-free. How can we not support it?
I would use valley rail at least 5 days/week, often every day. Rail is simply a better personal transportation system than car/freeway; economical, safe, and stress-free. How can we not support it?
# 881:
12:44 am PST, Jan 7,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 880:
6:27 pm PST, Jan 6,
Name not displayed, Canada
Bring back what we had with BC Hydro
Bring back what we had with BC Hydro
# 879:
1:17 pm PST, Jan 4,
William Pratt, Canada
The rail just seems to make sense! Cut down on vehicle traffic, save the enviroment, and help out the community. Besides that drive is a pain in the you know what!
The rail just seems to make sense! Cut down on vehicle traffic, save the enviroment, and help out the community. Besides that drive is a pain in the you know what!
# 878:
10:13 am PST, Jan 4,
Neil Emmott, Canada
With proper planning, and by providing a transit alternative like urban rail, we can work to shape urban development requiring less land and more efficient use of services. Hail Rail!
With proper planning, and by providing a transit alternative like urban rail, we can work to shape urban development requiring less land and more efficient use of services. Hail Rail!
# 877:
10:08 am PST, Jan 4,
David Hardie, Canada
I rode the Interurban with my grandmother in the late 1940s. I, like many, are frustrated by the continuous "reinvention of the wheel" when we have a "been there, done that" scenario that worked well in the past.
I rode the Interurban with my grandmother in the late 1940s. I, like many, are frustrated by the continuous "reinvention of the wheel" when we have a "been there, done that" scenario that worked well in the past.
# 876:
10:05 am PST, Jan 4,
Geronimo Morris, Canada
# 875:
9:55 am PST, Jan 4,
Andrew Davis, Canada
# 874:
9:53 am PST, Jan 4,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 873:
9:52 am PST, Jan 4,
Peter Goudie, Canada
I welcome this convenient system to visit friends throughout the valley.
I welcome this convenient system to visit friends throughout the valley.
# 872:
9:49 am PST, Jan 4,
Name not displayed, Canada
I rode the old interurban many times - born in Mt. Lehman in 1926. With relatives at each end of the line, we kept in touch that way. Our mail arrived by B.C.Electic. The nearest doctor was in Langley. Three trains a day with a 4th called the Owl on Sat. night so people could go to the dance further down the line. It was fabulous.
I rode the old interurban many times - born in Mt. Lehman in 1926. With relatives at each end of the line, we kept in touch that way. Our mail arrived by B.C.Electic. The nearest doctor was in Langley. Three trains a day with a 4th called the Owl on Sat. night so people could go to the dance further down the line. It was fabulous.
# 871:
9:43 am PST, Jan 4,
Shane Beacom, Canada
After hearing that the rail coridor is already owned, I don't understand why this isn't at the top of the local transit plan. There is no reason in my mind that this shouldn't be fully operational in the next year. A little bonus for me personally it would take me from home in Langley to my office in Surrey becuase of the location of the corridor.
After hearing that the rail coridor is already owned, I don't understand why this isn't at the top of the local transit plan. There is no reason in my mind that this shouldn't be fully operational in the next year. A little bonus for me personally it would take me from home in Langley to my office in Surrey becuase of the location of the corridor.
# 870:
9:41 am PST, Jan 4,
Lorene Tanner, Canada
This is needed as soon as possible - enough talking lets do it
This is needed as soon as possible - enough talking lets do it
# 869:
9:40 am PST, Jan 4,
Gloria Regan, Canada
we need easy access to the lower mainland now!!!!
we need easy access to the lower mainland now!!!!
# 868:
9:28 am PST, Jan 4,
Phyllis Dixon, Canada
The need for this rail service is UNDENIABLE and AVAILABLE.
The need for this rail service is UNDENIABLE and AVAILABLE.
# 867:
9:18 am PST, Jan 4,
Myron Claridge, Canada
# 866:
8:24 am PST, Jan 4,
Name not displayed, Canada
The bus service in South Surrey is no better than when my children were born. My son has to drive to his job in Richmond and my daughter (who doesn't drive) is limited to finding a local job or one on the bus route in the direction of Vancouver. A job towards the valley is out of the question. Even to visit family in Langley, Aldergrove or Abbotsford is an all day adventure which doesn't make sense considering it's 2010.
The bus service in South Surrey is no better than when my children were born. My son has to drive to his job in Richmond and my daughter (who doesn't drive) is limited to finding a local job or one on the bus route in the direction of Vancouver. A job towards the valley is out of the question. Even to visit family in Langley, Aldergrove or Abbotsford is an all day adventure which doesn't make sense considering it's 2010.
# 865:
7:00 am PST, Jan 4,
Reynold Nugter, Canada
# 864:
6:36 am PST, Jan 4,
Jason Karman, Canada
# 863:
6:15 am PST, Jan 4,
Dave Sharp, Canada
We talk about green transportation. What could be better than giving hundreds and thousands of daily commuters an alternative to traffic jams?
We talk about green transportation. What could be better than giving hundreds and thousands of daily commuters an alternative to traffic jams?
# 862:
6:13 am PST, Jan 4,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 861:
5:36 am PST, Jan 4,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 860:
9:12 pm PST, Jan 3,
Carl Macdonald, Canada
demand our history returned. this is our country also.
demand our history returned. this is our country also.
# 859:
7:53 pm PST, Jan 3,
Virginia Campbell, Canada
# 858:
4:30 am PST, Dec 29,
Frances R. Murphy, Canada
# 857:
1:03 am PST, Dec 29,
Ken Peterson, Canada
My vision of the future does not include cars. Certainly a mixture of effective, efficient and economic public transportation is our only possible solution to today's problems. The Fraser Valley communities represent a significant political power if they choose to work together and Fraser Valley rail service is one thing that we call all agree on because the financial and environmental benefits for all are so obvious.
My vision of the future does not include cars. Certainly a mixture of effective, efficient and economic public transportation is our only possible solution to today's problems. The Fraser Valley communities represent a significant political power if they choose to work together and Fraser Valley rail service is one thing that we call all agree on because the financial and environmental benefits for all are so obvious.
# 856:
9:39 pm PST, Dec 21,
Dusty Walsh, Canada
# 855:
11:19 am PST, Dec 20,
Wade Schreder, Canada
# 854:
11:06 am PST, Dec 20,
Robert Lipscombe, Canada
# 853:
8:51 pm PST, Dec 13,
Aaron Wakeling, Canada
# 852:
4:15 pm PST, Dec 11,
Evgueni Yablonski, Canada
Commuting by car from Burnaby to the Valley is a nightmare. I would be very happy to switch to any form of public transit but, unfortunately, there is practically no service to Abbotsford.
Commuting by car from Burnaby to the Valley is a nightmare. I would be very happy to switch to any form of public transit but, unfortunately, there is practically no service to Abbotsford.
# 851:
3:03 am PST, Dec 10,
Caitlin Richardson, Canada
I personally live in Langley, and my last bus leaves Surrey Central at 11pm at night on Sunday's, 12am the rest of the week. There have been many times when I have missed the last bus and had to walk all the way home to Walnut Grove.. That's not safe, you have to walk right through the worst possible part of Surrey. Often the buses out here are late, or don't even come, so you are stuck waiting for the next bus (scheduled in an hour). Even trying to transit around Langley is brutal, because all of the transit is scheduled far apart, it doesn't go to very many places, and it all shuts down early. Thank you, and PLEASE PUT SOMETHING BETTER OUT TO AND AROUND LANGLEY!
I personally live in Langley, and my last bus leaves Surrey Central at 11pm at night on Sunday's, 12am the rest of the week. There have been many times when I have missed the last bus and had to walk all the way home to Walnut Grove.. That's not safe, you have to walk right through the worst possible part of Surrey. Often the buses out here are late, or don't even come, so you are stuck waiting for the next bus (scheduled in an hour). Even trying to transit around Langley is brutal, because all of the transit is scheduled far apart, it doesn't go to very many places, and it all shuts down early. Thank you, and PLEASE PUT SOMETHING BETTER OUT TO AND AROUND LANGLEY!
