Van Ness BRT Speeds Travel by 36%, Earns Silver Designation

A Bus rapid transit (BRT) project in San Francisco earned the highest-level designation achieved by U.S. transit projects, Silver, by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) for its effectiveness in improving transit travel times along the Van Ness corridor.

According to a press release from the city, “The Van Ness project includes dedicated center running transit lanes that don’t get slowed down by parking or turning vehicles, transit signal priority that gives buses the green light as they approach an intersection, as well as low-floor vehicles and all-door boarding, that make it quicker and easier for passengers to load and unload at each stop and fast and frequent operations.”

According to data from the SFMTA, “Bus travel on this corridor is now 36% faster, injury traffic collisions are down by 54%, and transit is 45% more reliable.” The project also added pedestrian bulbouts, countdown signals, and other infrastructure to make walking safer.

Raymone Garner, a Muni Operator of 23 years, said the BRT line “gives us a smoother ride that’s safer with better on-time performance. Riders love it because it’s easier for us to get into the bus zone so it’s easier and safer to pick up passengers, especially people with disabilities.” 

The press release adds, “The other BRT Silver-designated projects in the nation include the New Britain Busway in Hartford, Connecticut and the Healthline in Cleveland, Ohio. California has two Bronze projects; the Orange (G) Line in Los Angeles and the sbX E Street Bus BRT in San Bernardino.”