4th September, 2015

Jenny Byrne Campaign Manager Conservative Party of Canada 1204-130 Albert St. Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4

Dear Jenny Byrne,

I have been advised that Stephen Harper was going to announce rapid transit funding for proposed Light Rail in Surrey, and urge that this be cancelled immediately.

If the Conservatives continue with an LRT funding announcement, they would be supporting a project that has not been thoroughly assessed by city planners. At this time, there is no finished business case for the proposed Surrey LRT. However, the previous Phase II analysis of TransLink's joint Surrey Rapid Transit Study suggested that a ground-level LRT system would have a negative business case with a benefit: cost ratio of just 0.69:1.

There are numerous issues that haven’t been addressed by Surrey City Council, including how an ongoing $22 million operating deficit will be paid and how the city will work to mitigate construction impacts. The first phase of the proposed LRT is only a 1 minute improvement over existing B-Line express buses, which use dedicated lanes on King George Blvd. The "economic study" the City released to defend LRT failed to assess and consider transportation outcomes.

It would be short-sighted, and irresponsible, to commit the money to a transit project whose feasibility has not been thoroughly assessed at this time. Surrey City Council has ignored numerous local residents and advocates who have raised issues with the LRT project. That doesn't deserve to be rewarded with a blind commitment to funding.

Due to these shortfalls, there is a marked opposition to LRT in Surrey and we are one of the leading groups raising the issues and holding City Council’s feet to the fire. We will not be viewing it lightly if the Conservatives continue this funding announcement.

Best regards,

Daryl Dela Cruz Campaign Manager – Better Surrey Rapid Transit Campaign website: skytrainforsurrey.org