SURREY (NEWS 1130) – Surrey’s plan to build a light rail network has generated plenty of talk over the last couple of years.

But the city is now indicating that once work gets going to build that L-shaped line on King George and 104 Avenue, the eventual vision is to expand things much further.

The city has released a report outlining just how extensive this network could be.

That L-shape is Phase 1.

Phase 2 sees a line down Fraser Highway, connecting Surrey and Langley.

But the report goes far beyond that planned 27-kilometre network. Staff with the city suggest there should be plans to build a network as extensive as 150 kilometres.

“The City is building towards rapid transit on key corridors with B-Line service on King George Boulevard/104 Avenue, Fraser Highway (2019), Scott Road/72 Avenue (2020-2021), King George Boulevard to South Surrey (Phase 3 TBD) and along 200 Street in Langley (Phase 3 TBD),” reads the report.

“Initial analysis shows that over 90% of people and jobs would be within a 5-10 minute walk from a transit stop (i.e., LRT, SkyTrain or B-Line service). Regardless of where you live, or where you are going, you could get there by transit,” it adds.

Of course, this wouldn’t happen overnight. The proposal suggests this work should be done over the next 10 to 20 years.

Transportation expert Gord Price, a former Vancouver city councillor and retired director of SFU’s City Program, welcomes this vision.

“This looks to me to be an excellent proposal for a vision in the future,” says Price. “The particulars may change, but it certainly gives its residents, those who are coming to develop in Surrey, a fast growing population, a pretty solid transit vision for the future.”

And for a city that has essentially been designed for drivers, it could mark a massive shift.

“If it’s anywhere near competitive with an automobile both in time and cost, then that may be for most people in Surrey their first choice,” says Price. “That would be an extraordinary achievement for a municipality that was built almost entirely around the automobile.”

Price acknowledges the vision will likely face challenges, both politically and in terms of funding.