9th November, 2014

Linda Hepner and Surrey First election team

Candidate for Mayor of City of Surrey
Surrey, BC
Subject: Listen to stakeholders on Light Rail issues
Dear Ms. Hepner,
You will remember that earlier in this campaign about a month ago, I sent you a letter urging you
to acknowledge issues with the Citys Light Rail proposal and make sure they are raised and
discussed. It would appear such correspondence from you was not possible for these elections.
The detriments of Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Surrey are very clear. Only 1-minute faster rides for
existing 96 B-Line riders, prone-ness to accidents and service disruptions that dont affect
SkyTrains and B-Line buses, and wider rights-of-way that split the community in half are just
three among several issues with proposed Light Rail Transit.
Many of these detriments were pointed out in a new campaign video we released last month (see
website: skytrainforsurrey.org). I urge you to watch it, if you havent already done so.
Your future Councillors may have already taken notice of these issues Ive raised and while in
office, they may call upon a proper review of the benefits and downsides. I urge you not to ignore
these calls.
You should be aware that Surrey citizens have definitely taken notice of the new campaign efforts.
Support has been growing for a petition weve posted calling on decision-makers to take action.
And, in a recent poll undertaken on the popular website Vancity Buzz, more than 800 respondents
out of 1500 or 54% voted in support of SkyTrain expansion, versus only 29% in favour of Light
Rail. The results insist that informed readers know better than the faulty claims made by the City.
If you have not done so already, I urge you to check out my alternate vision for Surrey rapid transit
that involves extending SkyTrain and enhancing Bus Rapid Transit. TransLink, in conjunction with
IBI group, has previously found through study that a SkyTrain + BRT proposal would bring better
results than ground-level LRT, including:

Better Surrey Rapid Transit

skytrainforsurrey.org

PAGE 1 OF 2

2x the transportation benefits and travel time savings

2x as many new transit trips
Close to 2x the reduction in driving
Faster, more frequent service (especially in the off-peak)
Superior reliability and on-time performance
202,000 daily riders vs. 166,000 for LRT.

SkyTrain and enhanced BRT combine for a far better solution for Surrey, and have a far better
business case for getting funding from the province and the federal government. With this
proposal, town centres across the city will become more accessible, vibrant and productive.
People not living on the rapid transit system would be more encouraged to use the bus. There will
be veritable travel time benefits and no crippling construction impacts that alienate communities
during construction, like LRT construction would alienate Guildford by tripling 96 B-Line travel
times.
Whether you would support this vision or not and for whatever reason you must not deny and
ignore the calls from future Councillors, Surrey residents, and other important spokespeople like
Anthem Properties V.P. Kevin Falcon, who addressed you on this recently to review the citys
position in favour of Light Rail, if you are elected to office.
Doing so would be a major disservice to all of Surrey.
Thanks for your attention.
Sincerely,

Daryl Dela Cruz

Campaign Manager Better Surrey Rapid Transit
Campaign website: skytrainforsurrey.org
Campaign video: youtube.com/watch?v=JPh52UrHTBE

Better Surrey Rapid Transit

skytrainforsurrey.org

PAGE 2 OF 2

9th November, 2014

Doug McCallum and the Safe Surrey Coalition
Candidate for Mayor of City of Surrey
Surrey, BC
Subject: Listen to stakeholders on Light Rail issues
Dear Mr. McCallum,
You will remember that earlier in this campaign about a month ago, I sent you a letter urging you
to acknowledge issues with the Citys Light Rail proposal and make sure they are raised and
discussed. It would appear such correspondence from you was not possible for these elections.
The detriments of Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Surrey are very clear. Only 1-minute faster rides for
existing 96 B-Line riders, prone-ness to accidents and service disruptions that dont affect
SkyTrains and B-Line buses, and wider rights-of-way that split the community in half are just
three among several issues with proposed Light Rail Transit.
Many of these detriments were pointed out in a new campaign video we released last month (see
website: skytrainforsurrey.org). I urge you to watch it, if you havent already done so.
Your future Councillors may have already taken notice of these issues Ive raised and while in
office, they may call upon a proper review of the benefits and downsides. I urge you not to ignore
these calls.
You should be aware that Surrey citizens have definitely taken notice of the new campaign efforts.
Support has been growing for a petition weve posted calling on decision-makers to take action.
And, in a recent poll undertaken on the popular website Vancity Buzz, more than 800 respondents
out of 1500 or 54% voted in support of SkyTrain expansion, versus only 29% in favour of Light
Rail. The results insist that informed readers know better than the faulty claims made by the City.
If you have not done so already, I urge you to check out my alternate vision for Surrey rapid transit
that involves extending SkyTrain and enhancing Bus Rapid Transit. TransLink, in conjunction with
IBI group, has previously found through study that a SkyTrain + BRT proposal would bring better
results than ground-level LRT, including:

Better Surrey Rapid Transit

skytrainforsurrey.org

PAGE 1 OF 2

2x the transportation benefits and travel time savings

2x as many new transit trips
Close to 2x the reduction in driving
Faster, more frequent service (especially in the off-peak)
Superior reliability and on-time performance
202,000 daily riders vs. 166,000 for LRT.

SkyTrain and enhanced BRT combine for a far better solution for Surrey, and have a far better
business case for getting funding from the province and the federal government. With this
proposal, town centres across the city will become more accessible, vibrant and productive.
People not living on the rapid transit system would be more encouraged to use the bus. There will
be veritable travel time benefits and no crippling construction impacts that alienate communities
during construction, like LRT construction would alienate Guildford by tripling 96 B-Line travel
times.
Whether you would support this vision or not and for whatever reason you must not deny and
ignore the calls from future Councillors, Surrey residents, and other important spokespeople like
Anthem Properties V.P. Kevin Falcon, who addressed you on this recently to review the citys
position in favour of Light Rail, if you are elected to office.
Doing so would be a major disservice to all of Surrey.
Thanks for your attention.
Sincerely,

Daryl Dela Cruz

Campaign Manager Better Surrey Rapid Transit
Campaign website: skytrainforsurrey.org
Campaign video: youtube.com/watch?v=JPh52UrHTBE

Better Surrey Rapid Transit

skytrainforsurrey.org

PAGE 2 OF 2

9th November, 2014

Barinder Rasode and the One Surrey Electors Association
Candidate for Mayor of City of Surrey
Surrey, BC
Subject: Listen to stakeholders on Light Rail issues
Dear Ms. Rasode,
You will remember that earlier in this campaign about a month ago, I sent you a letter urging you
to acknowledge issues with the Citys Light Rail proposal and make sure they are raised and
discussed. It would appear such correspondence from you was not possible for these elections.
The detriments of Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Surrey are very clear. Only 1-minute faster rides for
existing 96 B-Line riders, prone-ness to accidents and service disruptions that dont affect
SkyTrains and B-Line buses, and wider rights-of-way that split the community in half are just
three among several issues with proposed Light Rail Transit.
Many of these detriments were pointed out in a new campaign video we released last month (see
website: skytrainforsurrey.org). I urge you to watch it, if you havent already done so.
Your future Councillors may have already taken notice of these issues Ive raised and while in
office, they may call upon a proper review of the benefits and downsides. I urge you not to ignore
these calls.
You should be aware that Surrey citizens have definitely taken notice of the new campaign efforts.
Support has been growing for a petition weve posted calling on decision-makers to take action.
And, in a recent poll undertaken on the popular website Vancity Buzz, more than 800 respondents
out of 1500 or 54% voted in support of SkyTrain expansion, versus only 29% in favour of Light
Rail. The results insist that informed readers know better than the faulty claims made by the City.
If you have not done so already, I urge you to check out my alternate vision for Surrey rapid transit
that involves extending SkyTrain and enhancing Bus Rapid Transit. TransLink, in conjunction with
IBI group, has previously found through study that a SkyTrain + BRT proposal would bring better
results than ground-level LRT, including:

Better Surrey Rapid Transit

skytrainforsurrey.org

PAGE 1 OF 2

2x the transportation benefits and travel time savings

2x as many new transit trips
Close to 2x the reduction in driving
Faster, more frequent service (especially in the off-peak)
Superior reliability and on-time performance
202,000 daily riders vs. 166,000 for LRT.

SkyTrain and enhanced BRT combine for a far better solution for Surrey, and have a far better
business case for getting funding from the province and the federal government. With this
proposal, town centres across the city will become more accessible, vibrant and productive.
People not living on the rapid transit system would be more encouraged to use the bus. There will
be veritable travel time benefits and no crippling construction impacts that alienate communities
during construction, like LRT construction would alienate Guildford by tripling 96 B-Line travel
times.
Whether you would support this vision or not and for whatever reason you must not deny and
ignore the calls from future Councillors, Surrey residents, and other important spokespeople like
Anthem Properties V.P. Kevin Falcon, who addressed you on this recently to review the citys
position in favour of Light Rail, if you are elected to office.
Doing so would be a major disservice to all of Surrey.
Thanks for your attention.
Sincerely,

Daryl Dela Cruz

Campaign Manager Better Surrey Rapid Transit
Campaign website: skytrainforsurrey.org
Campaign video: youtube.com/watch?v=JPh52UrHTBE

Better Surrey Rapid Transit

skytrainforsurrey.org

PAGE 2 OF 2

9th November, 2014

John Wolanski
Candidate for Mayor of City of Surrey
Surrey, BC
Subject: Listen to stakeholders on Light Rail issues
Dear Mr. Wolanski,
You will remember that earlier in this campaign about a month ago, I sent you a letter urging you
to acknowledge issues with the Citys Light Rail proposal and make sure they are raised and
discussed. It would appear such correspondence from you was not possible for these elections.
The detriments of Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Surrey are very clear. Only 1-minute faster rides for
existing 96 B-Line riders, prone-ness to accidents and service disruptions that dont affect
SkyTrains and B-Line buses, and wider rights-of-way that split the community in half are just
three among several issues with proposed Light Rail Transit.
Many of these detriments were pointed out in a new campaign video we released last month (see
website: skytrainforsurrey.org). I urge you to watch it, if you havent already done so.
Your future Councillors may have already taken notice of these issues Ive raised and while in
office, they may call upon a proper review of the benefits and downsides. I urge you not to ignore
these calls.
You should be aware that Surrey citizens have definitely taken notice of the new campaign efforts.
Support has been growing for a petition weve posted calling on decision-makers to take action.
And, in a recent poll undertaken on the popular website Vancity Buzz, more than 800 respondents
out of 1500 or 54% voted in support of SkyTrain expansion, versus only 29% in favour of Light
Rail. The results insist that informed readers know better than the faulty claims made by the City.
If you have not done so already, I urge you to check out my alternate vision for Surrey rapid transit
that involves extending SkyTrain and enhancing Bus Rapid Transit. TransLink, in conjunction with
IBI group, has previously found through study that a SkyTrain + BRT proposal would bring better
results than ground-level LRT, including:

Better Surrey Rapid Transit

skytrainforsurrey.org

PAGE 1 OF 2

2x the transportation benefits and travel time savings

2x as many new transit trips
Close to 2x the reduction in driving
Faster, more frequent service (especially in the off-peak)
Superior reliability and on-time performance
202,000 daily riders vs. 166,000 for LRT.

SkyTrain and enhanced BRT combine for a far better solution for Surrey, and have a far better
business case for getting funding from the province and the federal government. With this
proposal, town centres across the city will become more accessible, vibrant and productive.
People not living on the rapid transit system would be more encouraged to use the bus. There will
be veritable travel time benefits and no crippling construction impacts that alienate communities
during construction, like LRT construction would alienate Guildford by tripling 96 B-Line travel
times.
Whether you would support this vision or not and for whatever reason you must not deny and
ignore the calls from future Councillors, Surrey residents, and other important spokespeople like
Anthem Properties V.P. Kevin Falcon, who addressed you on this recently to review the citys
position in favour of Light Rail, if you are elected to office.
Doing so would be a major disservice to all of Surrey.
Thanks for your attention.
Sincerely,

Daryl Dela Cruz

Campaign Manager Better Surrey Rapid Transit
Campaign website: skytrainforsurrey.org
Campaign video: youtube.com/watch?v=JPh52UrHTBE

Better Surrey Rapid Transit

skytrainforsurrey.org

PAGE 2 OF 2