BUS RAPID TRANSIT, BY ANY OTHER NAME

In this article, the author looks at challenges that North American transit agencies are facing regarding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). In order to meet these challenges, the author offers a number of recommendations. These include: 1) phased implementation, such as creating a BRT system with minimal investments in infrastructure and equipment; 2) standardization of the vehicles to help reduce risks involved in meeting the needs of communities; 3) refining the procurement process by using performance-based specifications to help keep costs down and improve delivery times; 4) encouraging government involvement, such as that of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in coordinating demonstration programs and sponsoring workshops designed to create an action plan for BRT development. The author concludes by noting that the success of BRT programs in the U.S. depends on the ability of the vehicle manufacturers to be flexible in meeting the demands of transit agencies while at the same time limiting their exposure in development costs.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/100980083
• Supplemental Notes:
  • February/March 2003
• Corporate Authors:

  Bobit Publishing Company

  21061 S Western Avenue
  Torrance, CA  United States  90501-1711
• Authors:
  • Hirano, S
• Publication Date: 2003-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 18
• Serial:
  • Metro
  • Volume: 99
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Bobit Publishing Company
  • ISSN: 10098-0083

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus rapid transit; Buses; Cost effectiveness; Policy; Transit operating agencies; Vehicle design
• Subject Areas: Design; Operations and Traffic Management; Policy; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00941486
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: May 1 2003 12:00AM