B.C. Liberals confirm they will not take action on traffic congestion until 2013

For Immediate Release

October 15, 2007

B.C. LIBERALS CONFIRM THEY WILL NOT TAKE ACTION ON TRAFFIC CONGESTION UNTIL 2013

VICTORIA – The Campbell government confirmed today in the Legislature that it will allow traffic congestion in the South Fraser to worsen for another six years – a decision that New Democrat MLA Bruce Ralston calls appalling.

“I was deeply disappointed to hear Mary Polak and other Liberal MLAs confirm in the Legislature that they will not start expanding transit prior to 2013,” said Ralston, MLA for Surrey –Whalley. “After six years of doing nothing about traffic problems that plague the people of Surrey, the Campbell Liberals are going to make people wait at least another six years for any kind of relief.

“That’s not good enough, the people of Surrey deserve better.”

B.C. Liberal MLA Mary Polak told the Legislature this morning nothing can be done to provide transit solutions in the South Fraser region until the Port Mann Bridge gets built in 2013. “Transit before a bridge is like putting the cart before the horse,” Polak said.

Ralston said Polak and the B.C. Liberals are simply wrong. “A new bridge is being built, but if we don't have transit in place, it will not provide a long term solution," he said. "There is no reason why we can’t have an immediate expansion of transit to start relieving traffic congestion right away. By investing in transit now, we can make sure the new bridge is incorporated into a comprehensive transit system that will provide solutions now and into the future.

“The Campbell Liberals could immediately act to make transit fares more affordable. They could act on the Surrey Mayor’s call for an additional 500 buses. They could get to work on expanded sky train service and an alternative light transit system serving the South Fraser region. A queue jumper lane could get transit moving reliably across the Port Mann within a year,” said Raltson. “Instead, they’re saying the people of Surrey have to stay stuck in traffic.”

New Democrat Transportation Critic Maurine Karagianis said today’s remarks by Polak and other Liberal MLAs show the Campbell Liberals are out of touch with the needs of people in the Lower Mainland.

“The Campbell government has the wrong priorities,” said Karagianis. “If the government was serious about addressing traffic congestion, they would be making a substantial investment in transit so that communities who have waited so long for transportation options don’t need to continue waiting.”