‘Undignified’: Report details how to improve Surrey transit experience

Connor Sanderson moved to Surrey for one main reason – it was the most affordable housing he could find while still being a “manageable” transit trip away from his job in downtown Vancouver.

“And when I say ‘manageable’ – well, that word is a loose term,” Sanderson said. “It’s still three hours of commuting each day by transit. But I am fed up with how slow and crammed it is. It wears on a person. We need solutions.”

That’s why Sanderson was pleased to hear about a group that advocates for transit riders releasing a report specifically on what’s need to fix what it refers to as Surrey’s transit woes – even calling services “undignified.”

“Undignified? That’s sounds about right,” Sanderson said.

As the City of Surrey and TransLink begin work on new transportation plans, including the South of Fraser Area Transport Plan announced earlier this week, the group Movement is stepping forward with its own recommendations in a report called Surrey’s Transit Future.

Built on feedback from hundreds of Surrey bus riders, the vision highlights the challenges people face daily and lays out clear steps to make transit reliable and more comfortable for everyone.

Movement’s plan focuses on three key priorities:

• Create new bus routes. Introduce local routes that connect neighbourhoods directly, reducing the need to transfer at hubs like Surrey Central and Newton Exchange. Add express and regional routes for faster, more direct travel within Surrey and to surrounding communities.
• Build better bus infrastructure. Upgrade and expand bus exchanges, create space for buses to wait safely, and add bus priority on key roads so transit stays on time and riders can depend on it.
• Improve the pedestrian experience. Add sidewalks, shelters and lighting so that every part of the journey (from the walk to the stop to the ride itself) feels safe and accessible.

“Taking transit in Surrey can feel so undignified in some areas. Long stretches without sidewalks leave you walking on the edge of the road, and poor lighting makes it hard for drivers to see you at night,” said Aman Chandi, director of Programs and Fundraising, Movement.

Here are some of Movement’s findings:

• East-west travel is difficult. Few routes connect Surrey’s neighbourhoods, making it hard to move within the city.
• Buses are stuck in traffic. With little bus priority, transit slows down along with general traffic, leading to delays and higher operating costs.
• Transit coverage is weak. Only 27% of residents live within walking distance of frequent service.
• Night service is limited. The N19 NightBus only serves Surrey Central, and many daytime routes end service too early.
• Streets are unfriendly to transit users. Long walks, missing sidewalks, unsafe crossings and poorly lit stops make waiting and walking unpleasant.
• Bus exchanges are crowded and poorly located. Transfers are inconvenient, and limited space prevents system growth.
• Trips take too long. Without enough express routes, riders rely on slow local buses for long journeys.
• Winter weather brings breakdowns. When it snows, the system often stalls, leaving passengers stranded.

“Surrey’s Transit Future is a vision that builds on the tremendous success of transit in Surrey today,” said Ahasan Bhuiyan, Movement Organizer, Surrey’s Transit Future Lead. “Transit investments have already delivered results, such as the doubling of ridership in Newton after the R6 Scott Road RapidBus launched. But there are still many gaps to be filled, and we invite policymakers and planners to use this report to inform the next phase of transit expansion in Surrey.”

TransLink, however, has struggled with funding to maintain services. TransLink was facing cuts to routes until a three-year deal was reached in spring 2025 to maintain services.

There are a lot of transit riders in Surrey, said Movement. Since 2019, transit ridership growth in Surrey has been higher than almost any other city in North America, said the group.

“Every day, buses connect thousands of people across Surrey, yet many find the experience frustrating,” said a Movement statement. “Riders describe crowded buses, slow trips, and long transfers that make even short journeys feel exhausting.”

The RapidBus network has strengthened north-south service, but the rest of Surrey’s system has not kept pace with the city’s rapid growth and changing needs.

“The future of Surrey is exciting, but transit must keep up with growth. Transit riders in Surrey are left to deal with slow, indirect and overcrowded buses. Transit exchanges are completely full, both with buses and people. Every transit rider is also a pedestrian, and Surrey’s roads are uncomfortable to wait at and walk down. We urge the City of Surrey, TransLink, and the province to take action and fix the problems riders are stuck with every day,” said Abby Ivison, Movement Organizer, Surrey’s Transit Future Designer.

To read more of the report, just click here.

To read more about what TransLink is doing to shape transit, just click here.