THE OTHER RAPID TRANSIT?

The busway is gaining acceptance as a viable transit alternative with 12 such projects in operation, under construction or in the design phase. Starting with the El Monte busway in Las Angeles and the Shirley Highway in northern Virginia a decade ago, the concept has continued to gain adherents. Port Authority of Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) operates the nation's only two exclusive busways; all others share their rights of way with other high-occupancy vehicles. Seattle Metro has won UMTA's highest rating for its $285 million downtown bus subway which will be traversed by trolley buses and possibly dual-modes. The possibility of future conversion to guided buses instead of light rail transit is being investigated by Seattle. Houston Metro has also gotten a high rating for its proposed 42 miles of busways which will be shared with HOVs. Baltimore is also planning a 5.5-mile busway. Aside from routing, modal use and funding-source flexibilities, bus roadways have other advantages. The transit operator does not have track maintenance costs. While the exclusive busway blurs the distinction between bus and rail transit, increased ridership on busways can conceivable make necessary their eventual conversion to the rail mode.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Bobit Publishing Company

    2500 Artesia Boulevard
    Redondo Beach, CA  United States  90278
  • Authors:
    • Henke, C
  • Publication Date: 1984-7

Media Info

  • Features: Photos;
  • Pagination: 4 p.
  • Serial:
    • Metro
    • Volume: 80
    • Issue Number: 4
    • Publisher: Bobit Publishing Company
    • ISSN: 10098-0083

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00387929
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Aug 30 1984 12:00AM