Revival of passenger railway between Chilliwack and Surrey? Langley Township thinks so

Langley Township aims to revive a railway that could bring passengers between Chilliwack and Surrey in just 90 minutes.

Councillor Tim Baillie tabled the motion in late June, saying he wants to see the hydrogen-powered rail cars back in action during his lifetime.

“If I’m going to spend an hour and a half in traffic coming from Chilliwack to Surrey, which is very easily accomplished nowadays, I’d rather do that sitting on a train and able to maybe have a cup of tea and read.”

The motion drew unanimous support from the Township mayor and council.

The proposal has long been a hope of a former Premier, Bill Vander Zalm, and former Township mayor, Rick Green — both of whom have pushed for a provincially backed task force to improve transportation options for the south of the Fraser region.