"There will not be the need for a light rail system, or anything like that, for the foreseeable future."

He’s shocked.

That’s what Mayor George Harvie had to say on CBC Radio One's The Early Edition on Wednesday in response to Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena’s interview on the program regarding the George Massey Tunnel replacement and the minister’s comment that there’s no foreseeable need for light rail south of the Fraser.

“Insofar as no need for light rail, I’m shocked. I’m working with my fellow mayors. We’re looking at what the next 20-to-30 years is going to require, and light rail is needed south of the Fraser. With all the people that we have coming, most of them are going to be residing and relocating to south of the Fraser where the properties are a little less expensive. But again, I’m shocked. I just drove the tunnel, as you know, and it’s a tough drive….we need to get people out of their cars and if we’re not thinking in the future, we’re going to have problems here,” he said.

Answering questions on the progress of the tunnel replacement, Trevena in the earlier interview was asked why consideration wasn’t being given to accommodate a rapid transit line.

“The bus route that comes from White Rock/South Surrey is a hugely, hugely popular bus route and TransLink is very clearly very pleased the way this works. But there really isn’t the need, and will not be the need. Transit planners have looked at this. There will not be the need for a light rail system, or anything like that, for the foreseeable future. I mean, they’re doing long-term planning. What they do see is frequent buses. They see that capacity. The opportunity is there and we can have the capacity for it. So, let’s get people into the buses, get people moving that way, because that is the way that sustainably we can move forward," she explained.

Noting he has had a good working relationship with the minister, Harvie said he’s spoken with his fellow mayors, and the region’s transportation staff re aware of the need, while his staff have been looking at the future closure of the Vancouver Landfill and how it can be turned into a future transit hub.

He said proposals will be coming forward and that they have to be visionaries.

Harvie added, “One of the reasons we’re in a mess is because politicians 20, 30 years ago were not brave enough to make a decision with regards to getting moving on these major projects,” he said.

The Delta Chamber of Commerce the following day expressed support for Harvie’s idea, saying it encourages TranLink’s Mayors’ Council and the province to continue exploring the concept.

“The Vancouver Landfill, in Delta, is an excellent location providing an ideal opportunity to drive a hub-and-spoke network of light rail, bus and other public transportation systems,” said chamber executive director Garry Shearer.

“The current transit planning in Metro Vancouver is increasing the public transportation deficit south of the Fraser River. We need bold vision, like that expressed by Mayor Harvie, on the concept of light rail to Delta, a major transit hub at the Vancouver Landfill. The Delta Chamber supports the City of Delta’s advocacy to bring visibility to transportation topics, because Delta matters, and the communities south of the Fraser matter.”

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