Regions need new ways to quickly and efficiently move commuters, and bus rapid transit is a competitive option for doing just that, according to a consultant giving a presentation at the Metro Regional Center on Tuesday.
Tim Bevan, a consultant for CH2M HILL and an expert on bus rapid transit, or BRT, talked about the ways BRT has been used around the world to serve transit riders.
During his presentation, Bevan evaluated some existing BRT systems in the US, going over implementation strategies and what works well in different settings.
Bevan said BRT's advantages versus rail transit include flexibility of routes and lower cost. Dedicating a lane exclusively to buses and implementing an off-board ticketing system can streamline BRT service to closely mimic rail transit and reap similar benefits, Bevan said.
There are also techniques for incorporating BRT into existing streets, including designating some lanes as turn- or bus- only, or allowing parking in BRT lanes during off-peak hours.
In a 2012 article for the Wall Street Journal, author Kris Hudson notes that BRT systems in part target passengers who don't "have to" ride the bus – people who may have a car and normally drive to work, but would ride the bus were it convenient and speedy to do so.
Part of this effort is branding buses to denote sleekness, efficiency, and speed. Some buses also offer amenities from onboard bike storage to Wi-Fi.
As regional decisionmakers consider what will best suit the development of the Southwest Corridor, options for high capacity transit are being evaluated to determine which will be deemed worth further study.
When asked during the question-and-answer period about BRT's effects on private-sector development, Bevan said that impacts are generally positive.
"BRT systems are about permanence," Bevan said. "That encourages development around the stations. Part of the idea promotion is, you're building something that will be around for awhile. "