For Immediate Release
SURREY, B.C. – Transit riders in Surrey are demanding better. As the City of Surrey and TransLink begin work on new transportation plans, including the South of Fraser Area Transport Plan announced on Monday, we are stepping forward with our own community-driven vision for the city’s transit future.
Built on feedback from hundreds of Surrey bus riders, our vision highlights the challenges people face daily and lays out clear steps to make transit reliable and more comfortable for everyone.
“Surrey’s Transit Future is a vision that builds on the tremendous success of transit in Surrey today. Transit investments have already delivered results, such as the doubling of ridership in Newton after the R6 Scott Road RapidBus launched. But there are still many gaps to be filled, and we invite policymakers and planners to use this report to inform the next phase of transit expansion in Surrey.” – Ahasan Bhuiyan, Movement Organizer, Surrey’s Transit Future Lead
The current reality of transit in Surrey
There are a lot of transit riders in Surrey. Since 2019, transit ridership growth in Surrey has been higher than almost any other city in North America.
Every day, buses connect thousands of people across Surrey, yet many find the experience frustrating. Riders describe crowded buses, slow trips, and long transfers that make even short journeys feel exhausting.
The RapidBus network has strengthened north-south service, but the rest of Surrey’s system has not kept pace with the city’s rapid growth and changing needs.
Right now:
- East-west travel is difficult. Few routes connect Surrey’s neighbourhoods, making it hard to move within the city.
- Buses are stuck in traffic. With little bus priority, transit slows down along with general traffic, leading to delays and higher operating costs.
- Transit coverage is weak. Only 27% of residents live within walking distance of frequent service.
- Night service is limited. The N19 NightBus only serves Surrey Central, and many daytime routes end service too early.
- Streets are unfriendly to transit users. Long walks, missing sidewalks, unsafe crossings and poorly lit stops make waiting and walking unpleasant.
- Bus exchanges are crowded and poorly located. Transfers are inconvenient, and limited space prevents system growth.
- Trips take too long. Without enough express routes, riders rely on slow local buses for long journeys.
- Winter weather brings breakdowns. When it snows, the system often stalls, leaving passengers stranded.
“When I took the N19 NightBus, it took 1 hour and 20 minutes to get from Downtown Vancouver to Surrey Central. The bus was full, with people standing almost the whole way. Night-time riders deserve service that is fast, reliable and comfortable.” – Gavin, Surrey Transit Rider
“Taking transit in Surrey can feel so undignified in some areas. Long stretches without sidewalks leave you walking on the edge of the road, and poor lighting makes it hard for drivers to see you at night. This is a serious safety concern, one that we urge the City to address promptly.” – Aman Chandi, Director of Programs and Fundraising, Movement
Our shared solutions
Our vision presents a practical and forward-looking framework for building a transit network that grows alongside the city and supports the people who call it home. Our plan focuses on three key priorities:
- Create new bus routes. Introduce local routes that connect neighbourhoods directly, reducing the need to transfer at hubs like Surrey Central and Newton Exchange. Add express and regional routes for faster, more direct travel within Surrey and to surrounding communities.
- Build better bus infrastructure. Upgrade and expand bus exchanges, create space for buses to wait safely, and add bus priority on key roads so transit stays on time and riders can depend on it.
- Improve pedestrian experience. Add sidewalks, shelters and lighting so that every part of the journey (from the walk to the stop to the ride itself) feels safe and accessible.
“The future of Surrey is exciting, but transit must keep up with growth. Transit riders in Surrey are left to deal with slow, indirect and overcrowded buses. Transit exchanges are completely full, both with buses and people. Every transit rider is also a pedestrian, and Surrey’s roads are uncomfortable to wait at and walk down. We urge the City of Surrey, TransLink, and the province to take action and fix the problems riders are stuck with every day.” – Abby Ivison, Movement Organizer, Surrey’s Transit Future Designer