jordan bateman's presentation to valtac, april 30, 2008: langley light rail and streetcars

Light Rail and StreetcarsA Vision For Langley

Presented by Jordan Bateman to VALTAC on April 30, 2008

The InterurbanSome basic challenges (all can be overcome):• Heavy rail traffic• Political hurdles• Four major gaps along the route• Between Newton & Cloverdale• Between TWU & Gloucester• Between Gloucester & Abbotsford• Between Abbotsford & Chilliwack

The Interurban

Heavy Rail Traffic:

Obviously, Roy Mufford and others have done a lot of work on this. Can be overcome—if political will in Ottawa exists.

The Interurban

Political Hurdles:

Ottawa is too close to the rail companies. We need strong federal government involvement. Has not happened to date. “Not in our lifetimes,” as one MLA reported.

The Interurban

Political Hurdles:

Victoria: Transit groups have been too divisive and too personal in their attacks on the one person who can change the fate of the Interurban with the stroke of a pen. We have to find a way to build bridges with the Minister.

The Interurban

Political Hurdles:

Regionally: Abbotsford and Chilliwack are not part of TransLink, and have not contributed the same level of tax dollars over the years as Surrey and Langley. TransLink could use the Interurban to entice Abby in.

The InterurbanThe Four Gaps:

The Interurban

The Four Gaps:

We can turn this hurdle into an opportunity, by using it to suggest phasing-in the Interurban service. It allows government to invest a smaller amount upfront until we prove out the service.

The Interurban

The Four Gaps:

That first gap is the small bit of empty space between the bulk of Surrey’s population and Cloverdale (152nd to 168th). By adding Langley’s 200th Street corridor to the plan, we entice the Interurban further east.

The 200th Streetcar Line

Langley has changed. We are no longer an east-west community; we are north-south.

The vast majority of Langley’s population and jobs lie along the 196th to 216th corridor. This is also where virtually all growth and densification will occur in the future.

The 200th Streetcar Line

Brookswood Fernridge

• Presently 14,000

• Future Development Area

(2010-2030?): minimum 35,000, but

more likely 50,000

The 200th Streetcar Line

City of Langley

• Presently 20,000

• Pretty much built-out, with modest opportunities for

densification; could top out at

25,000

The 200th Streetcar Line

Willoughby

• Presently 18,000

• Current Development Area

(2008-2020): likely 70,000,

including high rises along 200th

The 200th Streetcar Line

Walnut Grove

• Presently 24,000

• Very modest opportunities for in-

fill; will top out at 25,000

The 200th Streetcar Line200th Corridor Total (from 196 to 216)

• Presently 76,000 (65% of the present total population of

Langley)

• Will top out at 170,000 (78% of the

projected total population of Langley)

The 200th Streetcar LineEmployment Areas• NW Langley Industrial Park• Walnut Grove

Interchange• 200th Office Parks• Langley Regional

Town Centre• Brookswood

• Campbell Heights Industrial Park

The 200th Streetcar Line

Township of LangleyHigh Density Zoning

• High-rises of up to 20 storeys

The 200th Streetcar LineOther Factors

• Regional links: The Golden Ears Bridge and the Interurban•The Langley Events

Centre• Open space still

exists along 200th for TransLink to

purchase and develop for funding

The 200th Streetcar Line

What about the hill?

I’m not a technical expert, but my understanding is that Calgary operates with a 6.5% grade near the South Alberta Institute of Technology, and Little Rock’s system manoeuvres up a 7.8% gradient.

The 200th Streetcar Line

What about the right-of-way?

200th Street has the widest, protected right-of-way in the Township. There is room for street cars and pull-out stations.

The 200th Streetcar LineWon’t this distract the powers-that-be from the Interurban?

No. A 200th Streetcar strengthens the case for the Interurban to be put back into use, at least to Langley. That gets us past the ‘first gap,’ and gives us the ability to prove this will work. Like the Portland Model: MAX and streetcar network.

My Streetcar DreamIn the future, I envision street car lines (and the Interurban) running throughout Langley.

Next stepsMy notice of motion coming May 5…

Whereas transit service in the Township of Langley is the poorest, per capita, in the Lower Mainland, and

Whereas the vast majority of trips south of the Fraser stays south of the Fraser, and

Next stepsMy notice of motion coming May 5…

Whereas a desire for light rail, streetcars, and community rail has been expressed throughout the south Fraser region, including the Township of Langley,

Next stepsMy notice of motion coming May 5…

Therefore be it resolved that the Township support the concept of community rail and pursue the following measures:

Next stepsMy notice of motion coming May 5…

1. A study of the possible routes for community rail within the South Fraser region,

Next stepsMy notice of motion coming May 5…

2. An EMME2 and micro-simulation ridership study, as recommended in the UMA community rail report, for community rail improvements in the South Fraser and Fraser Valley regions,

Next stepsMy notice of motion coming May 5…

3. The Township continue to protect key right-of-ways for possible community rail or other transit use, including, but not limited to, the Interurban rail line, 200th Street, 208th Street, Fraser Highway, 88th Avenue, and 96th Avenue.

Next stepsMy notice of motion coming May 5…

4. Send a letter of support to the Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society reinforcing the Township's support for their efforts, and

Next stepsMy notice of motion coming May 5…

5. Send an update to the TransLink Board, MOT, and the Mayors and Councils of the Cities of Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack regarding this motion, and offering these agencies an opportunity to participate in the routing and ridership studies.

Community Rail RoutesThe Interurban should stack up well against other possibilities—but those possibilities have to be looked at nonetheless.

Community Rail Ridership

A 200th Streetcar cannot exist in a vacuum. It needs a link to a regional community rail line to work properly.

The Interurban, or another link to Surrey, will fulfill that requirement. An independent ridership study is needed.