Surrey mayor promises light rail ahead of transit referendum

WATCH: Newly-elected Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner wasted no time addressing the chronic transit problem in the sprawling suburb. Catherine Urquhart reports.

Two days after civic elections, the mayors of Vancouver and Surrey are campaigning for transit as plans are being finalized for next year’s Metro Vancouver transit referendum.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says a subway line along the Broadway corridor is a top priority while newly-elected Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner is promising a light-rail system for her city by 2018 with or without referendum approval.

Hepner says discussions are already underway regarding federal funding and private funding is also a possibility.

“I know I have a Plan B, I’ve already had the discussions,” Hepner told Global BC’s Steve Darling. “I’m pragmatic enough to know that I have made a commitment. It’s going to happen.”

So what might Hepner’s Plan B look like?

“Plan B will be a private sector model,” she says. “If I have to do something like an Edmonton or a Waterloo model. If I have to form something called the South of the Fraser Transit Authority, I’ll do that. But it is going to happen.”

WATCH: Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner discusses her plans

Critics believe’s Hepner’s Plan B could face challenges.

“Remember they really can’t do it outside the TransLink system,” says Gordon Price. “Who’s going to do it for them? Surely you’re not going to have to have separate fares or anything like that. I’m sure that’s not the intent. So it does need to be part of a larger strategy of how we’re going to pay for and develop transit as part of a regional system.”

In Vancouver, Robertson met with reporters to discuss the possibility of a multibillion-dollar Broadway subway line.

“Over the next couple of years, my focus will be on getting the Broadway subway going, working with the mayors across the region, with the provincial government and making sure, first and foremost, that we pull together a powerful coalition of supporters for the referendum this spring.”

Building a coalition may prove to be a challenge. According to Global BC Legislative Bureau Chief Keith Baldrey, “there is zero appetite in the B.C. Liberal government to spend that kind of money on Vancouver alone,” adding that the Liberals may look “far more fondly” on supporting transit in Surrey.

The wording for the referendum question is set to be finalized ahead of next month’s Mayors’ Council meeting. Baldrey says potential questions are already being tested with focus groups.

“It remains our goal and the Mayors’ Council’s goals to have these details ironed out this side of Christmas,” says Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure Todd Stone. “That’s going to require a fair bit of rolling up our sleeves and continuing to make this a top priority.”