Updated: Sat Apr. 11 2009 17:32:17

ctvbc.ca

With plans for the expansion of Highway One and a new "super-sized" Port Mann bridge moving full speed ahead, a group of Fraser Valley residents is wondering why their transit needs continue to be ignored.

But despite a lack of interest from government, proponents of a valley passenger rail service aren't giving up their fight.

All along Highway One on Saturday, car and truck drivers were honking in support of bringing passenger rail service south of the Fraser Valley.

"We're stuck with no alternative to using our automobiles and some people would like an alternative," said John Buker, a spokesman for Rail For The Valley.

It's not a new idea. In fact that's just the point. The group wants to make use of existing rail lines left over from metro Vancouver's long defunct inter-urban system.

"It would be pretty simple to put light rail back on that track. It goes all the way from Surrey to Chilliwack so you could run light rail on that track very cheaply, very inexpensively," said Buker

Residents say passenger rail would do much more than the Port Mann mega project to reduce gridlock and help people get around.

"Something that's cleaner and something that covers a greater area like the rail system would be better. The bridge only covers one stretch of road," said Surrey resident Craig Jager.

Perhaps a sign of the strength of the plan or perhaps just a sign we're nearing an election - politicians taking in Saturday's Vaisakhi celebrations say they're already looking at expanding passenger rail.

"The Nanaimo - Esquimalt Rail and the Fraser Valley rail systems are subject to big studies right now to see where it goes, how it works, what's the economic feasibility of it," said B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.

NDP leader Carole James agreed.

"You've already got the infrastructure there; it's an area that we should be supporting. I certainly support us getting on with the study because when infrastructure's already there we may be able to save resources," she said.

For now, the Port Mann -- Highway One expansion is moving forward while rail plans remain stuck at the station. Supporters just hope that one day soon, their train will come in as well.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart

Comments are now closed for this story

Andy Ma
I would like to see a high speed electric rail from Vancouver to Whistler. As well as one between Seattle and Vancouver.

One that could also take cars on the train as well.

David
I double agree 100% on the Subway and Rail Lines because there are just way too much constructions and Trucks on the roads and not to mention traffics

Bryan Vogler
Dear Editor,
I fully support John Buker and his group of which I am a member. I have said this once and I will say it again,
"The public speaks to the politicians and railways alike. The outcome will get us from here to the negotiating table,or back on the freeway for another ten years. The politicians have been standing on the crossing to long, get off or we will run you down. Ten years of freeway building and no noticable effect on congestion. Twin the rails in the valley and match the record setting Express"

Corey
CTV you guys really need a more up to date picture of light rail! There is a big difference between a steam locomotive and modern, electric light rail!

Larry - Vancouver
Let's get realistic. As more and more people come to the west coast to live here and if affordable living means living east of the Fraser River then we need. (and larger volume of commodities are being move to the harbours) We need a better and more fluid way to get to and from point "A" to Point "B" far more efficiently. Lets look at another way just how much fuel is wasted idleing in a conjested highway trying to cross over the port mann bridge every day ?? If there is the newer expand Highway AND the light rail out to the valley to Chilliwack then both would have done justice to each other and it would save a lot on unwasted fuel. Just my thought on the subjected

Merv
It is nice on paper.. But in reality the average person in the valley is not going anywhere with out a car, or maybe 2. They will not even car pool.

Mark
Why not a high speed Euro type train between Vancouver-Hope as there is a great ice cream place for downtowners to visit, or Vancouver-Prince George for a good day fly-fishing, Oh and why you are at it Vancouver to Inuvik, NWT.

Melissa Walter
Politicians need to stop "studying the option" of rail in the Fraser Valley and start implementing a rail service joining Vancouver and the Fraser valley communities.

It is a scandal that they are increasing the size of the Port Mann Bridge, a short term solution that will increase pollution and auto traffic within the Vancouver metro area, when they could be building light rail. Not only would light rail be comparatively inexpensive, but it would also improve the lifestyle and the air quality in the Fraser Valley and Vancouver.

We really need some environmentally responsible vision and leadership from our government right now: light rail is needed joining Vancouver and Fraser Valley communities! (I live in Vancouver and work in Abbotsford.)

Melissa Walter
I am happy to see that someone has gotten organized to protest the Port Mann bridge expansion and speak for the thousands of us who commute between Vancouver and Fraser Valley communities. My carpool laments the lack of a train almost daily, and of course we see thousands of cars on the road everyday with only one person in them. It's great to see someone doing something positive about this problem and I hope that Victoria will take note and implement light rail service in the Fraser Valley as soon as possible.

Merlin....................SURREY
Have a look around the world at all the cities that have high volumes of traffic and you will find that light rail alone is not enough.
so quit bitching about your personal beliefs and wants on what should be done and look at the whole picture.we need improvements in all our Transportation .

Doug BC
Sure! And who's going to pay for this??
It is not only a matter of the construction,but of the operating budgets that come every year after it's built.
What most people fail to understand,is that that transit riders simply are not willing to pay enough in fares to even cover the operating costs of the sysems now in place,never mind more expensive systems running through areas with even lower population densities.
Currently,the rider pays only 1/3 of the actual cost of a ride on transit.The rest is paid for by property owners,fuel taxes,and any other creative tax that Tranlink can sneak in when we're all sleeping.Translink is currently short more than $150 million,EVERY YEAR,for the cost of running what we have now.
We're all in favour of better public transit.What is in dispute is whether or not ridership is high enough to cover the costs.If it is not,I truly believe we should use our tax dollars somewhere else.
Otherwise,since riders won't pay for the cost of the ride,the real question is "how much higher should everyone's taxes go,to provide subsidized rides for a relatively small number of people,and to operate buses and trains hat are nearly empty outside of rush hour?"
I'm assuming that those pushing for rapid building of more transit think that property and fuel taxes are not high enough at current levels.
Show me an HONEST and VIABLE operating budget,at least,because,as it is right now,taxes are making this family much poorer every year.We can manage at these levels,but if they go up much more,we have to move out.