If it wasn’t for the late premier of B.C., Bill Bennett, we would not have a SkyTrain system at all.
It was built from Vancouver to New Westminster, and then extended across the Fraser River to Scott Road Station, and finally climbing the hill, all the way to King George Station, where it has been stalled, ever since.
From King George station, this project could mostly straddle the Fraser Highway all the way to Langley, a seamless system that would not compete with road traffic and would not result in clear cutting hundreds, if not thousands of trees in the Green Timbers Urban Forest Reserve.
In contrast, the LRT system, would not solve the problem of moving large numbers of passengers, any faster than an express bus system. It would hold up road traffic, and leave a massive foot print swath, through our urban forest reserve.
As far as being cheaper than SkyTrain is concerned, it would be penny wise and pound foolish. An LRT system would be a white elephant that would not get the job done.
Who wants to change systems once they reach King George Station if it can be avoided?
Fred Perry
