Planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes in 91原创, Maple Ridge, and Surrey were announced on Thursday by TransLink, but there's still no funding for the proposed transit expansions.
Of the nine corridors identified, TransLink has announced the locations of three so far, which are expected to move forward first if the transit agency can secure the money.
The 91原创-Haney route starts in the south at the Willowbrook Shopping Centre, also the site of a future SkyTrain station scheduled to open sometime in 2029.
It heads north, primarily up 200 Street, crosses the Golden Ears Bridge, and then turns east through downtown Maple Ridge to Haney.
There are just 13 stations in total on the 91原创-Haney route, with eight of those on the 91原创 side of the Fraser River.
The proposed 91原创 stops are:
鈥� Willowbrook
鈥� 64 Avenue at 200 Street
鈥� 72 Avenue at 200 Street
鈥� 76 Avenue at 200 Street
鈥� 80 Avenue at 200 Street
鈥� Carvolth Transit Exchange
鈥� 96 Avenue at 200 Street
TransLink has released the maps and concept sketches in advance of collecting more public input on the projects. . Two open houses for the 91原创-Haney route are planned, on Jan. 26 at the Walnut Grove Community Centre, room 2, at 8889 Walnut Grove Drive, from noon to 5 p.m., and on Jan. 28 in Maple Ridge at the Maple Ridge Public Library, Fraser Room, 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd., from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
BRT routes are different from regular routes, even express bus service, because they run on dedicated lanes. In 91原创's case, that means separate bus-only lanes running up 200 Street in 91原创.
It also means that stops will be at least 800 metres apart, and the route is designed to hit major centres and to connect major population and commercial centres, and to link up to other transit routes like SkyTrain. The buses have signal priority at intersections, and combined with the separate lanes, this often allows them to move faster than normal traffic, especially at rush hour.
TransLink estimates a bus ride end-to-end on the 91原创-Haney and Surrey routes now takes an hour. Changing those routes to BRT would shave 20 minutes off that trip time, the agency said.
In addition, stations for BRT routes are larger and more protected from weather than a simple bus stop shelter.
The Surrey route runs south starting from the Surrey Central SkyTrain station and also connects with the South Surrey Park and Ride, before ending at the Semiahmoo Town Centre.
In 91原创, several of the BRT stops will line up with plans the Township has been making under the 200 Street 2040 banner, to create a series of "transit villages" along the north-south road.
The transit villages are tentatively planned at 72, 80, and 86 Avenues, with mixed commercial and residential hubs at each location.
A report to 91原创 Township council in July 2024 suggested that the plan could increase the population along the corridor to almost 100,000 people while also adding up to 58,200 new office jobs and more than 940,000 square feet of retail space.
Local politicians are lobbying for the BRT plan to move forward.
鈥淲e鈥檝e heard from communities across the region that they need better transit now 鈥� and BRT is our best option to provide high quality service to more communities quickly," said Brad West, chair of the Mayors' Council that oversees TransLink.
91原创 Township Mayor Eric Woodward said connecting the future Willowbrook SkyTrain station to the Carvolth Exchange via a BRT would improve connections for locals and commuters.
鈥淭he 91原创鈥揌aney Place Bus Rapid Transit line is one of the best corridors to get going on right away, with so much growth, available right-of-way, and strong municipal support from the Township of 91原创 and Maple Ridge," Woodward said. "As the largest municipality within Metro Vancouver without rapid transit service, the Township of 91原创 is long overdue for a significant investment in transit infrastructure."
As with SkyTrain, the bulk of funding for the BRT routes would likely have to come from higher levels of government, including the province and the federal government.
