After learning that BC Transit, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack have committed to fund a regional transit service to connect these communities to Langley, I have only this to say: Welcome back to the mid-20th century!
From 1910 until 1950, Fraser Valley residents enjoyed a “Triple E” regional transit service; efficient, effective and electrified from Chilliwack to Vancouver on the interurban rail line operated by BC Electric, the predecessor of BC Hydro. In 1950, as our regional road network expanded and the automobile became common place, BC Electric bribed every municipality with a one-time payment of $40,000 to cancel the interurban and replace it with bus service.
Now here we are 65 years later congratulating ourselves on the “achievement” of creating a bus link from downtown Chilliwack to Langley’s new park and ride. According to the information released on this new service, it will take approximately 80 minutes to travel the entire route. Once at the Langley park and ride, passengers can transfer to an express bus to the Braid Street SkyTrain station and travel to downtown Vancouver. TransLink says this trip will take between 60 and 70 minutes for a total travel time of approximately 150 minutes or two and a half hours.
The interurban train made this trip in three hours with no transfers. Congratulations everyone, it has taken us 65 years to shave 30 minutes off of the trip between Chilliwack and Vancouver.
Please excuse me for containing my enthusiasm as I believe this is merely another temporary effort to establish a viable regional transit service.
We continue to waste a permanent asset – the Southern Railway line from Chilliwack to the rest of the Lower Mainland. With some political will, good planning, sound engineering and a fraction of the cost of any of the new rail services that are being planned for our region, Fraser Valley residents could once again enjoy a reliable transit service to Abby, Langley and beyond. Let’s make a real, permanent commitment to a Fraser Valley regional transit service, not just another bus run that’s as temporary as the stroke of politician’s pen.
Welcome back to 1950, everyone; enjoy the ride while it lasts.
Don Davis, Chilliwack