In a decision that promises significant improvements for Langley commuters, TransLink's Board of Directors and the Mayors' Council have approved the 2025 Investment Plan – bringing much-needed transit solutions to our community and addressing long-standing service gaps that have frustrated local residents for years.
A short summary from TransLink of their 2025 Investment Plan
Langley's Transit Transformation
For Langley residents, the newly approved plan delivers several concrete improvements that will directly impact our daily commutes and transportation options. Most notably, the Gloucester industrial area will receive new transit service, addressing a critical gap that has left many local workers dependent on private vehicles to reach their jobs.
This addition is part of TransLink's broader commitment to improving transit access to industrial employment areas – a change that will benefit thousands of Langley workers who have historically struggled with limited transportation options to these job-rich districts.
Both Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward and City of Langley Mayor Nathan Pachal serve on the Mayors' Council on Regional Transportation.
Additionally, Woodward also serves as one of three Council Designates to the TransLink Board and was involved in the discussions leading to this approval.
While not quoted directly in the announcement, his participation signals Langley's voice in regional transit decisions that will shape our community's transportation future.
A Future Rapid Transit Corridor for Langley
Perhaps the most significant long-term benefit for Langley residents is the advancement of the Langley-Haney Place Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.
The approved plan includes funding for the next phase of design work for this corridor, which will eventually connect the Township of Langley and City of Langley with Maple Ridge.
This future rapid transit line represents a transformative opportunity for our community, offering faster and more reliable connections to neighboring municipalities and potentially reducing dependency on the increasingly congested highway network. While the current funding only covers the design phase, it marks a crucial step toward implementation, with construction and service to be funded in subsequent investment plans.
Coupled with the ongoing Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension, these investments signal a future where Langley residents will have multiple rapid transit options connecting our community to the broader region – a dramatic departure from the limited service many of us have experienced for decades.
Relief for Overcrowded Routes
Many Langley transit users are all too familiar with overcrowded buses during peak hours. The new plan directly addresses this pain point by increasing service on 50 of TransLink's busiest routes, which will include several that serve our community.
These service improvements will mean more frequent buses, reducing wait times and the frustration of being passed by an already-full bus – a common experience for commuters along high-demand corridors connecting Langley to Surrey and beyond.
Road Improvements for Langley Drivers
The plan acknowledges that many Langley residents still rely on private vehicles for transportation.
A 70% increase in funding for the Major Road Network's pavement rehabilitation program will address deteriorating road conditions throughout the region, including key arteries that Langley commuters depend on daily.
This substantial investment – an additional $47 million for pavement rehabilitation starting in 2026 – will improve road safety and reliability for all users, including the many Langley residents who drive to work, school, or to access services in neighboring communities.
Funding the Improvements
These transit improvements come with associated costs that will impact Langley property owners and transit users.
The plan includes a $20 increase in property taxes for median households in 2025, with a more substantial increase of approximately $75 coming in 2027.
Transit fares will also rise by about $0.14 for the average trip starting in July 2026, followed by annual increases of 2%.
For Langley residents who regularly use transit, this represents a modest increase in exchange for improved service and reduced overcrowding.
The Provincial government is contributing significantly to the plan, including a one-time contribution of $312 million and a commitment to introduce a new revenue source by 2027.
This provincial support helps reduce the financial burden on local governments and taxpayers while ensuring transit improvements can move forward.
Golden Ears and Campbell Valley to Receive Transit Service
For Langley residents who love the outdoors, the newly approved TransLink 2025 Investment Plan includes a welcome addition: new or enhanced seasonal transit service to both Campbell Valley Regional Park and Golden Ears Provincial Park.
According to the plan documents, TransLink will introduce "new or enhanced seasonal service on summer weekends" to seven regionally significant parks and beaches, including Campbell Valley Park in South Langley and the popular Golden Ears Provincial Park in nearby Maple Ridge.
This means that for the first time, Langley residents without access to a vehicle will be able to reach these beloved natural areas using public transit.
The seasonal nature of these routes suggests they'll operate primarily during peak park visitation times in summer, addressing both recreational needs and reducing parking congestion that has plagued these destinations in recent years.
The addition of transit service to Campbell Valley Park is particularly significant for Langley residents.
This 535-hectare park, with its network of trails winding through meadows and forests, has been a recreational jewel in our community, but has remained inaccessible to those without personal transportation. The new transit connection will open this natural space to a broader cross-section of our community, including seniors, youth, and families without vehicles.
These park-focused transit additions reflect TransLink's commitment to improving "access to nature," which was identified as a top priority for Metro Vancouver residents during the development of the Transport 2050 regional strategy.
For outdoor enthusiasts in Langley, this represents a meaningful step toward more equitable access to our region's spectacular natural amenities.
Looking Ahead: Langley's Transit Future
While the 2025 Investment Plan makes meaningful progress, it represents only the beginning of what could be a transportation revolution for Langley.
The broader Access for Everyone plan, which guides TransLink's long-term vision, identifies the need for substantial additional investments in bus service and rapid transit throughout the region.
For Langley residents, the coming years could see not only the completion of the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension but also the implementation of the Langley-Haney Place Bus Rapid Transit corridor and potentially additional service improvements as TransLink works to address the needs of our growing community.
The next investment plan, expected in 2027, will need to build on these initial steps and make further progress on connecting Langley to the broader regional transit network.
Community Impact: What This Means for Langley Residents
For everyday Langley residents, these approved transit improvements translate to several practical benefits:
- Workers in industrial areas like Gloucester will gain new transit options, potentially reducing commuting costs and time
- Commuters using existing overcrowded routes will experience less crowding and more reliable service
- Drivers will benefit from improved road conditions on major arteries
- Planning for the Langley-Haney Place BRT corridor moves forward, bringing us closer to a future with rapid transit connecting our community to Maple Ridge
The expansion of transit service to previously underserved areas also supports Langley's continued growth and development, potentially reducing traffic congestion as our population increases and providing more transportation choices for new residents and businesses.
As one of the fastest-growing communities in Metro Vancouver, these transit improvements are essential for maintaining Langley's quality of life and economic competitiveness.
The 2025 Investment Plan represents an acknowledgment of our community's transportation needs and a commitment to addressing long-standing service gaps.
For a community that has often felt overlooked in regional transit planning, this approval signals a shift toward greater inclusion of Langley in Metro Vancouver's transportation future – a change that many local residents and business owners have long advocated for and will welcome with enthusiasm.
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