My family, friends, and I, like many others in Fraser Valley, BC, rely heavily on Highway 1 to commute to our jobs in Metro Vancouver. The idea of using mass transit for such a long-distance daily commute is impractical for us. I've personally experienced the extended commute times when using mass transit from Abbotsford to Burnaby, which added an additional hour and a half to my journey, compared to driving a car even with current traffic conditions. This personal experience underlines the severity of the issue this new transport plan presents.

The current plan for the Highway 1 expansion includes a bus-only shoulder lane, leaving the number of lanes for regular vehicles insufficient. Despite the billions spent on this project, no additional regular travel lanes are included, which is unacceptable for an arterial connection critical to the entire Fraser Valley.

The solution is not to add bus-only lanes, which are unnecessary and could exacerbate traffic woes. We propose replacing the bus-only lane with three total travel lanes and an HOV/Bus lane. This structure will better service the needs of regular commuters and will reduce congestion, making the commute more practical and less time-consuming for those of us who depend on our vehicles for daily transportation.

Statistics show that Fraser Valley residents prefer personal vehicles over buses due to the long-distance nature of the commute, and the current traffic system already presents significant challenges. Introducing a bus-only lane on this essential highway would not cater to the existing demand but would rather impose further constraints, discouraging efficiency in transport.

Let's prevent the misallocation of resources on a solution that does not serve our community's best interests. By signing this petition, you can help us make our voices heard to ensure the Highway 1 expansion meets the real needs of Fraser Valley residents. Your support is crucial in advocating for a more practical and efficient commuting solution that aligns with our daily realities.