FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 21, 2026
SURREY, BC — Mike Starchuk today committed to fight for West Coast Express commuter rail in Surrey, running from Scott Road to the Fraser Valley through Newton and Cloverdale, as the province writes its passenger rail strategy. Surrey will make the case by name, with a corridor, a business case, and a request to Victoria and Ottawa to collaborate with Imagine Surrey City Hall to make it happen.
Since 1995 the West Coast Express has carried commuters from Mission to downtown Vancouver along the north side of the Fraser. The south side, home to the fastest-growing city in the region, has never had a commuter train in the same era. Surrey has approximately 700,000 people and not one kilometre of commuter rail.
An Imagine Surrey council will make a formal submission to the provincial rail strategy in its first 100 days, protect the right of way through Newton and Cloverdale in the City’s own planning, and build the business case with TransLink and the province. Every quarter, the City will publish what it asked TransLink for and what it got, so residents can see who is delivering and who is stalling. And if the Vancouver to Seattle to Portland high-speed rail line moves forward, Surrey will offer City land and fast-track planning so this city gets a station instead of an apology.
“I sat on the committee that decides what the province can afford. The money for rail exists. The question is who asks for it with a plan,” said Starchuk. “A city this size with no commuter rail is not a fact of geography. It’s a City Hall that never made the case.”
“Cloverdale and Clayton have grown into a city of their own, and the only way out in the morning is the highway,” said Kevin Wilkie, Imagine Surrey council candidate and 30-year Surrey resident. “A train through Newton and Cloverdale is not a dream. Mission has had one since 1995.”
“Surrey pays into TransLink like everyone else. It should ride like everyone else,” said Starchuk. “This October, put out the fire at City Hall and elect a team that will get Surrey on the rails.”
Imagine Surrey is committed to fast commutes for Surrey residents. Imagine Surrey’s full platform will be released over the coming weeks.
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About Imagine Surrey
Imagine Surrey is a civic party running a full slate of candidates in the October 17, 2026 municipal election. Led by mayoral candidate Mike Starchuk – a former firefighter and Chief Fire Prevention Officer, former City Councillor, and former MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale – Imagine Surrey is committed to making Surrey the City of Champions by delivering: safe streets, fast commutes, smart investments, lower costs, and strong services.
Council candidates: Yousef Aldabainah-Barakat, Chandan Chahal, Perminder Chohan, Narima Dela Cruz, Ashiyana Hanif, William Li, Dr. Margaret Mubanda, and Kevin Wilkie.
Contact
Trevor Loke, Campaign Manager
604-838-5178
[email protected] / [email protected]