Weighing BRT

This four-part blog from Wired gives a nuts-and-bolts look at bus rapid transit, using examples of planned systems, successful systems, and troubled systems.

2 minute read

September 25, 2007, 12:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg


A comparison of a proposed San Francisco BRT lane and Bogotá, Colombia's successful system, from Part II:

"The Geary Blvd BRT project has been stagnant for the last few years, and no immediate improvements will be implemented soon. What, is sending a paint crew out to pen a double white line and a diamond so complicated? Three alternatives are under evaluation. One, which consists of a curb side bus lane, is useless, and transit advocates are questioning the reason for the proposition. Curbside bus lanes are usually blocked by double parked cars, cars making right turns, mail trucks, and drivers on the looking for parking. The most similar alternative to Bogotá's BRT system is a pair of bus lanes in the boulevard's median with sufficient room to build a third lane for express buses to pass the locals."

Part III looks at some of the issues cities are dealing with in their BRT systems:

"In recent years, there has been a surge of BRT projects throughout the United States. Bus rapid transit in America, though, has three easy ways of failing. Either the bus rapid transit attracts so many riders that the system has capacity issues, or the city fails to implement the BRT correctly, or the image associated with buses sticks in car driver's mind, dissuading them from considering transit (or a combination of the three)."

A conlcusion from Part IV:

"Rail wins the contest for being the quickest, most comfortable, and highest capacity carrying public transit mode. Bus rapid transit, which some transit agencies promote as "just like a train, but with tires," still does not compare to a subway or light rail in comfort or speed. As bus rapid transit becomes more popular as an immediate relief for high ridership transit corridors throughout North America, transit agencies should be aware of BRT's disadvantages in the long run and prepare for future implementation of a rail line."

Saturday, September 15, 2007 in Wired

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3, 2023 - NBC 16

Green Paris Texas city limit sign with population.

How Paris, Texas Became a ‘Unicorn’ for Rural Transit

A robust coalition of advocates in the town of 25,000 brought together the funding and resources to launch a popular bus service that some residents see as a mobility lifeline—and a social club.

November 30, 2023 - Texas Monthly

Diagram of visibility at urban intersection.

How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives

Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.

November 27, 2023 - Strong Towns

View of wetlands with lilypads at dusk.

States Scramble in Wake of Clean Water Act Ruling

The removal of federal oversight of wetlands has left millions of acres unregulated and erected major hurdles for lawmakers seeking to protect them.

7 hours ago - Pew Stateline

Rendering of white, yellow, and purple Brightline West high-speed rail train speeding along highway median with blurred cars in foreground.

Brightline West Awarded $3 Billion in Federal Funding

The high-speed rail line will cut travel time between Southern California and Las Vegas roughly in half.

December 5 - Fox 5

Rapid bus at station at night in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

OKC Celebrates New Rapid Bus Line With Free Rides

The agency wants to showcase the benefits of a recently opened BRT line connecting the northwest part of the city to downtown.

December 5 - The Oklahoman

Senior Planner

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Planner II

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Senior Travel Demand Modeler

Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

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.