An Alternatives Evaluation, conducted by global transportation consultants IBI Group, evaluated thirteen technology and alignment options in detail. Each alternative was assessed using a Multiple Account Evaluation approach, which considered a wide range of factors to identify benefits and impacts, using planning tools such as transportation demand forecasting and financial models, and qualitative assessments. The options were screened from among hundreds of possible alternatives to determine which ones could best address the project objectives.

Future of Surrey Rapid Transit

Based on the technical study, TransLink's Findings are that:

• Rapid transit is required in Surrey. 
• Four options could meet project objectives (BRT 1, LRT 1, LRT 5A, RRT 1A), at a range of costs (from $0.9 to $2.2 billion) and with a range of benefits. 
• All of the alternatives would provide rapid transit across three corridors: Fraser Hwy., King George Blvd./152 St. and 104 Ave.
• These alternatives will be advanced to the Regional Transportation Strategy for consideration alongside other transportation needs and available funding.

The preferred rapid transit alternative for Surrey will ultimately be decided by the region, as part of the Regional Transportation Strategy planning process in 2013. Future expansion plans will then determine its implementation timing and funding. These processes will involve significant regional dialogue and public consultation. 

The Surrey Rapid Transit Study was led by TransLink and the Government of B.C., in partnership with the City of Surrey, the City of Langley and Metro Vancouver.

Surrey and surrounding communities are among the fastest growing parts of the region, forecast to attract over 25% of new residents and jobs over the next 30 years. At the outset, the study identified the following primary project objectives to be addressed by rapid transit in the study area:

• Meet, shift and help shape travel demand through improved transit service quality.
• Shape future land use in keeping with the Regional Growth Strategy and municipal plans.
• Help achieve mode share and emissions targets.

Phase 1 of the study narrowed a list of hundreds of possible alternatives to the thirteen that were evaluated in detail in Phase 2. Each alternative used one or a combination of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Rail Rapid Transit (RRT/SkyTrain) technologies.  

The study used a Multiple Account Evaluation approach, which provides qualitative and quantitative evaluations of a wide range of factors or "accounts" to identify the benefits and impacts of each alternative. These included the benefits and impacts rapid transit might have to economic development, environment, financial, social and community, transportation, urban development and deliverability. 

Read the Alternatives Evaluation to learn more.

Phase 1 Stakeholder Consultation: March 2010 - June 2010

Through 10 meetings and workshops between March and June 2010, stakeholders including representative resident, business, community, environmental and other groups, helped us identify the opportunities and challenges in the study area, and helped define the need for rapid transit. They also learned more about the rapid transit technologies and provided feedback on the best way to consult with the public. 

Phase 1 Public Consultation: October 2010

In October 2010, the study team presented the recommended alternatives for rapid transit expansion for Surrey and surrounding communities to stakeholders and the public, and asked them to confirm if these were the right starting point for more work and identify other potential alternatives.

Through more than 600 questionnaires and 1,000 comments from people who joined us at four workshops and a webinar, and thousands who visited our website, the project objectives and ten alternatives were confirmed. 

Stakeholder and public feedback was considered in designing and evaluating the alternatives presented in Phase 2 consultation.

Phase 2 Public Consultation: May - June 2011

In May and June 2011, the study team presented preliminary design assumptions and evaluation of ten alternatives to the public for their input. Based on the almost 400 feedback questionnaires submitted and over 750 comments received at four community workshops, key design assumptions were confirmed and refined. Three additional alternatives were identified based on public input and technical analysis. The detailed evaluation of the thirteen alternatives was updated to reflect those changes.

Learn more about what we heard during these consultation phases by visiting the consultation section of the Surrey Rapid Transit Study document library.