By Yousef Aldabainah-Barakat
Every day, I hear from residents who spend too much time waiting for buses, sitting in traffic, or trying to get their families where they need to go.
For students, seniors, workers, parents, and people with disabilities, reliable transportation isn’t a luxury. It’s essential to accessing jobs, education, healthcare, recreation, and opportunity.
That’s why, with Mike Starchuk and Imagine Surrey, I want to make transportation a priority. That’s why Mike Starchuk released the Imagine Surrey Fast Forward plan. So what is it? It’s getting three bus rapid transit routes approved immediately, advancing SkyTrain to South Surrey, and bringing commuter rail to Surrey that connects Scott Road to the Fraser Valley through Kennedy, Newton, Sullivan, and Cloverdale. Our plan will recognize that Surrey needs more than a single project to meet our needs, we need a full plan that moves us east and west, north and south, in every community.
These improvements will cut your commute times significantly and give you more options. They will bring newfound vibrancy to our town centres and visitors to the doors of Surrey businesses and through the gates of Surrey’s amazing festivals and celebrations. Our plan will unlock the potential of what will soon be BC’s largest city, and no other party comes close to matching this ambition.
Surrey is growing quickly. Our infrastructure hasn’t kept up. We need a Mayor with a plan to meet the moment and do what the others haven’t, get Surrey our fair share.
I door-knock every day, listening to residents, hearing their challenges, and learning about their ambitions. I want to help turn those conversations into action.
I’m running for council because I don’t want to wait for the future. I want to help design, engineer, and lead it. I want to help build a Surrey where getting around our city is easier, safer, and more connected. I want to implement this plan so that we can give you more time back in your day.
Your voice. Your Surrey. Your future.
On October 17, I’m asking for your support for Mike Starchuk and the Imagine Surrey team.
Yousef Aldabainah-Barakat, a Newton father of four, spent years connecting newcomers and employers through settlement services and WorkBC and founded the Canadian Arab Forum of BC. He is an Imagine Surrey candidate for Surrey City Council.