An event held at The Brookings Institution invited transit experts to discuss the lessons learned from BRT systems in Latin America and their applicability in the United States.
According to the panel of experts who gathered at The Brookings Institution yesterday, "in Latin America, alone, there are 32 cities with BRT, representing one quarter of the world's total length of BRT corridors. These systems serve a whopping two-thirds of global BRT ridership, or 18 million people per day."
"User fares on BRT are low, so the solution requires high occupancy rates, but that can make the passenger experience less than ideal. An advantage worth noting, however, is that the vehicles and operations of all BRT systems in Latin America, besides Santiago, are fully paid by user fares."
BRT, according to this article from SustainableCitiesCollective.com, faces more hurdles in the U.S. than in Latin American countries. Among these obstacles: "aggressive lobbies for rail, as well as aggressive lobbies against BRT and buses"; "the notion that bus systems can't be permanent, and therefore, aren't appealing to real estate developers"; and myths or misconceptions that "buses are slow, noisy, unreliable and polluting."
FULL STORY: Latin America's Bus Rapid Transit Boom Offers Lessons for the U.S.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont