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A move to make Langley rail transit a provincial election issue

Township and City mayors join Metro council campaign to have B.C. parties back 10-year transit upgrade plan
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Langley City mayor Ted Schaffer and Township mayor Jack Froese

A bid by the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation to make public transit a provincial election issue includes a call for long-awaited rail transit service to the Langleys.

The #CureCongestion campaign announced by the Metro mayors group Wednesday morning lists “building a new light rail system to connect neighbourhoods in Surrey and Langley” as one of its top priorities.

All provincial political parties are being asked to back the proposed 10-year plan.

“Langley is looking to get rail from King George to Langley along the Fraser Highway,” Langley Township mayor Jack Froese said following the announcement.

Langley City mayor Ted Schaffer said the two Langleys worked together with Surrey to get their concerns included in the proposed plan.

“My own feeling is that Langley is finally on the radar and its taken a long, long time,” Schaffer said.

Froese said other issues highlighted in the proposed plan are not specific to Langley, but still have an impact, such as the need to replace the Pattullo Bridge and increasing HandyDart service.

“Those haven’t really been dealt with,” Froese said.

Schaffer said rail transit isn’t going to get any less expensive if construction is delayed.

“What will the cost be down the road in Abbotsford and Chilliwack?” Schaffer said.

“The first step is getting to Langley.”

The council plan also calls for expanded bus service and using development cost charges on new development to help fund transit improvement.



Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I’m the guy you’ll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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