As Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) gains popularity, Annie Weinstock describes new standards for BRT, taking a lesson from some failing systems.
Cities looking to implement BRT could benefit from examining BRT failures as well as successes. The BRT Standard: Version 1.0, released earlier this year by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, employs a metric scoring system which is set for widespread distribution in 2013. Among the lowest scoring systems: Dehli, India's BRT and Virginia's Shirley Highway Busway.
Both systems are on the brink of failure as officials consider opening the underutilized bus lanes to car traffic. Weinstock identifies some of the missing pieces with these troubled BRT's:
- "No permanent stations and no off-board fare collection"
- "Frequency of buses was too low"
- "Stations, placed at intersections, leave insufficient space for free left turns (the equivalent of free right turns in the U.S.)"
- "No consistency in at-level boarding - which doesn't require passengers to step up to board and is a critical element to a smooth BRT experience."
Thanks to Jessica Brent
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