Surrey municipal election candidate Paul Hillsdon, left, campaigns on Sunday outside the SkyTrain's Surrey Central Station. (CBC)

Eighteen-year-old Paul Hillsdon may be only one year out of high school, but the young candidate for both city council and the school board in Surrey is hoping to convince voters his age is an asset.

His campaign is focused on two political issues that matter to British Columbians in his age group: education and public transportation.

But the young candidate nearly missed a chance to get his message out when it appeared he might be a no-show at his own campaign event at Surrey Central Station on Sunday.

Photographer Sharon Doucette from the Surrey Now newspaper was one of several media personnel getting ready to leave after waiting 15 minutes for the candidate to show up.

"We try and stay as long as we can. But we have schedules and other events to cover, so we can't stay indefinitely," Doucette said.

When Hillsdon did show up nearly 20 minutes late, he quickly shifted into campaign mode, offering his take on public transportation plans for the rapidly growing Metro Vancouver area.

"The province has put forward about $1 billion for six kilometres of SkyTrain in Surrey. Let's shift that funding to light rail so you can get 43 kilometres of light rail across Surrey and Langley," he said.

The politically ambitious young man, who is also an internet blogger, said he would accept both jobs if he wins both contests, and he doesn't believe his age is holding him back.

"Momentum is building. I had a very successful all-candidates meeting the other day where I was second among 12 people, according to the paper, so it's looking good," he said.