Specific station locations identified as engagement launches for BRT corridors

NEW WESTMINSTER, BC – TransLink is launching public engagement and announcing station locations for two future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes serving customers travelling in Surrey, Maple Ridge, and the Township of Langley. This is the next step towards implementing TransLink’s incoming bus-based rapid transit system that will provide fast, frequent, and reliable service through dedicated bus lanes, signal priority at intersections, and weather-protected stations.

Members of the public are being asked to rank which features will be most important for them, which will help TransLink advance BRT planning.

Planned locations for the routes’ stations are also being released as part of the engagement. In Surrey, the King George Boulevard BRT route has 12 planned stations, and the Langley–Haney Place BRT route has 13 planned stations. When operational, each route will speed up service on these corridors by approximately 40 per cent.

Station locations were determined based on the following main criteria:

• Facilitate connection with the Expo Line and other transit hubs like Surrey Central Station, King George Station, the future Willowbrook Station, South Surrey Park and Ride, Semiahmoo Town Centre, and Carvolth Exchange.
• Support growing residential areas and key destinations like Simon Fraser University’s Surrey Campus, Bear Creek Park, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Haney Place Mall, Ridge Meadows Hospital, Langley Events Centre, Willowbrook Shopping Centre, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
• Connect customers with other bus routes by being positioned at major intersections.
• Speed up service for customers by having limited stops spaced approximately 800 metres apart.

Through the Access for Everyone plan, TransLink has identified up to nine corridors for BRT implementation over the next 10 years; the first three were announced in late 2023. Engagement on the BRT route between Metrotown and the North Shore will happen later this year.

These BRT projects are currently unfunded. TransLink is working to secure funding for BRT implementation from all levels of government through future Investment Plans. Once funding is secured, TransLink estimates that BRT construction can be completed within five years.

Members of the public can learn more and participate in the engagement survey here until February 9. They can also attend in-person open houses between January 25 and February 4. Specific details for these open houses can be found on our website.

BRT Facts:

• Once complete, TransLink estimates travel times on both corridors would speed up by approximately 40 per cent.
  • Currently, travelling end to end on both corridors takes just over one hour by bus on average.
  • Once BRT is implemented, customers will save over 20 minutes in each direction, bringing end-to-end travel time down to approximately 40 minutes on average.
• TransLink estimates that the King George BRT would provide rapid transit access to approximately 130,000 residents and 60,000 jobs that are within walking distance of the planned station locations.
• TransLink estimates that the Langley–Haney Place BRT would provide rapid transit access to approximately 72,000 residents and 55,000 jobs that are within walking distance of the planned station locations.

Quotes:

Kevin Quinn, CEO, TransLink –

“Bus Rapid Transit will unlock access to jobs and connect communities by providing fast and frequent service with dedicated bus lanes and weather-protected stations. With over 200,000 residents and more than 100,000 jobs within walking distance of these two routes, BRT will provide major economic benefits to our region for decades to come.”

Brad West, Chair, Mayors’ Council –

“We’ve heard from communities across the region that they need better transit now – and BRT is our best option to provide high quality service to more communities quickly. The Mayors’ Council is committed to continue working with TransLink and senior government partners to advance BRT and the Access for Everyone plan.”

Brenda Locke, Mayor, City of Surrey –

“The Surrey BRT project will be a game-changer for residents and how they move around our city. As the fastest growing city in the region, it is crucial that our rapid transit system is enhanced. Currently, the R1 Rapid Bus on King George Boulevard has the highest ridership per service hour of all rapid buses and is the 7th busiest bus route in Metro Vancouver. BRT will create a vital link between City Centre all the way to South Surrey. With our projected growth to one million residents within the next 20 years, I am thrilled that Surrey will be among the first cities to implement this innovative transit solution.”

Eric Woodward, Mayor, Township of Langley –

 “The Langley–Haney Place Bus Rapid Transit line is one of the best corridors to get going on right away, with so much growth, available right-of-way, and strong municipal support from the Township of Langley and Maple Ridge. As the largest municipality within Metro Vancouver without Rapid Transit service, the Township of Langley is long overdue for a significant investment in transit infrastructure. Connecting the future Willowbrook SkyTrain Station to Carvolth Exchange along 200th street with BRT will improve connections for residents and commuters, and I look forward to working with the region to make it a success.”

Dan Ruimy, Mayor, City of Maple Ridge –

“Securing this BRT line is a key milestone in the City’s Maple Ridge Moves plan, which focuses on driving growth and improving our transportation network. This project is a significant achievement for Maple Ridge, one that we’ve championed from the start, as it strengthens both local and regional connectivity across Metro Vancouver. The BRT will provide residents with seamless access to future Expo Line stations once the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension is complete, while offering a vital link for people traveling to and from services and workplaces with more affordable and reliable transportation options. As a City, we are deeply committed to improving transit in our community through this transformative BRT project, which will enhance accessibility, ease congestion, and promote sustainable transportation solutions for everyone.”

More information:
Bus Rapid Transit Program Webpage

Media contact:
TransLink Media Relations
E: media@translink.ca