Last month we posted a story about how bus rapid transit put one city on the map as a “World’s Most Visionary City.” Because it’s fast and flexible, bus rapid transit (BRT) is often cited as the ideal public transport system.
Bus rapid transit is close to coming to central Connecticut in the form of the New Britain–Hartford busway--if a ten year planning effort and the promise of 80% federal funding are allowed to proceed.
Despite the features of bus rapid transit, strong federal support for the busway project, and the number of construction jobs and other work the busway project would generate, the project has developed a few vocal detractors.
What is “Bus Rapid Transit,” anyway?
If “bus rapid transit” makes you think of a regular city bus, think again.
Originally developed in Brazil, BRT is a high speed bus with a dedicated lane intended to give many of the benefits of a light rail system without the cost.
BRT combines the quality of rail transit and the flexibility of buses. It can operate on bus lanes, HOV lanes, expressways, or ordinary streets. A BRT system combines a simple route layout, frequent service, limited stops, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology, passenger information systems, traffic signal priority for transit, cleaner and quieter vehicles, rapid and convenient fare collection, high-quality passenger facilities, and integration with land use policy.
According to AltTransport and MarketPlace, cities across the country are investing in Bus Rapid Transit over rail as a way to meet the increasing demand for public transportation in the time of devastating budget cuts . Rapid transit buses are hundreds of millions of dollars cheaper than the alternative.
Can We Get Bus Rapid Transit Too?
Read the Point : Counterpoint
The Sunday March 20 edition of the Hartford Courant featured opposing viewpoints on the bus rapid transit project as well as a Courant editorial in favor of keeping the project moving.
Read them here:
- Op Ed - Forward On Busway: Benefits Of Transit Corridor Are Clear
- Op Ed - Whoa On Busway: Project Would Block Rail, A Better Option
- Courant Editorial - Green-Light The Busway: Bus Rapid Transit Gov. Malloy should push ahead on regional transit project
The Courant editorial nicely summarizes the reasons for going forward with the bus rapid transit project for central Connecticut. CTLCV supports the project as well.
Today Governor Malloy hears presentations from both camps – proponents and opponents of the New Britain-Hartford busway project. Stay tuned for the decision.
No comments:
Post a Comment