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That's ridiculous to say. Why would they have Silver and Bronze levels to be distinguished if everything else is just a bus?
Exactly. Either toss BRT out entirely so we're only talking about rail, or allow the 5 current bronze systems to be counted. Otherwise you're introducing an arbitrary and nonsensical distinction. Its like only allowing heavy rail systems to be counted if they feature express service like NYC does. Sure express is better, but does that mean all the other systems should not be counted?
Exactly. Either toss BRT out entirely so we're only talking about rail, or allow the 5 current bronze systems to be counted. Otherwise you're introducing an arbitrary and nonsensical distinction. Its like only allowing heavy rail systems to be counted if they feature express service like NYC does. Sure express is better, but does that mean all the other systems should not be counted?
So, what separates many of these systems from express bus lines with dedicated lanes?
So, what separates many of these systems from express bus lines with dedicated lanes?
Well for the LA's orange line:
- A dedicated busway, not just bus lanes
- Bus stations, as opposed to bus shelters
- Timed to meet with the heavy rail line (Red line) it connects with
- High ridership (30,164 avg weekday boardings as of Feb 2014)
- Signal priority
- Off-bus ticket vending
- Bike lanes that parallel the entire length of the busway
What features will MoCo's system have that distinguishes it enough to count in this tally when LA's Orange Line does not? Please be specific.
It's not about them being fast which people seem to think makes them rail like. An express bus route with dedicated lanes is fast and rail like. This is about a standard BRT point system all lines should strive to achieve. The requirements really aren't hard. Americans are just stuck in their ways. How about bikes lanes integrated into the bus lanes? What about the stations? How about elevated median separated bus lanes?
What about them? The Orange line has all of those things except for the last one because it runs in it's own separated right of way along a former railroad line lol. Seriously, do you know anything about these lines or did you just assume they don't have these rail like features because they aren't rated "gold"? Again, I really don't think you know anything about these bronze rated BRT lines.
- A dedicated busway, not just bus lanes
- Bus stations, as opposed to bus shelters
- Timed to meet with the heavy rail line (Red line) it connects with
- High ridership (30,164 avg weekday boardings as of Feb 2014)
- Signal priority
- Off-bus ticket vending
What features will MoCo's system have that distinguishes it enough to count in this tally when LA's Orange Line does not? Please be specific.
Well for one, I never said Moco's system will be Gold Standard. It will have all those things too, however, I don't know about all the extra stuff that is required internationally.
The Orange Line has an integrated bike trail, both on the east west route and north south route. Not sure why that matters for this discussion though.
What is funny is that for LA it really doesn't matter because I think the Orange Line BRT is done expanding unless we get disappointed and the Van Nuts Blvd line is BRT and not LRT.
What about them? The Orange line has all of those things except for the last one because it runs in it's own separated right of way along a former railroad line lol. Seriously, do you know anything about these lines or did you just assume they don't have these rail like features because they aren't rated "gold"? Again, I really don't think you know anything about these bronze rated BRT lines.
Couple things....
A line is not a system and has no integration with the other buses in a city. Point deduction.
There are specific specifications for stations. I would need to see what the stations on the LA system reach. It's pretty specific. There are a ton of things.
Why does anybody care in the first place when no city in America has any points from BRT because of lack there of right now.
A line is not a system and has no integration with the other buses in a city. Point deduction.
There are specific specifications for stations. I would need to see what the stations on the LA system reach. It's pretty specific. There are a ton of things.
Why does anybody care in the first place when no city in America has any points from BRT because of lack there of right now.
Because it was posited that MoCo's proposed system should count towards DC's total because its aiming for gold. If you're not going to count it, then fine. I still think the gold distinction is arbitrary though. First you say "Gold Standard BRT systems are on par with rail transit. Otherwise, it's just a bus and everybody has them." and then 2 pages later you can't even name the criteria that distinguishes MoCo's proposed gold-rated system from the bronze systems. Arbitrary.
The Orange Line has an integrated bike trail, both on the east west route and north south route. Not sure why that matters for this discussion though.
What is funny is that for LA it really doesn't matter because I think the Orange Line BRT is done expanding unless we get disappointed and the Van Nuts Blvd line is BRT and not LRT.
Exactly!! Most cities in America don't build BRT to Gold Standard because it costs about the same as light rail to do so. You might as well build light rail which they do. The thing people need to realize is The DC suburbs are building a system. Not DC. Montgomery County isn't the city, it's the suburbs. The county realized they didn't have the money to build a system of light rail or heavy rail so they are opting to build gold standard BRT so they say. We will see when it's all said and done. There aren't any suburbs urban ozone like the DC suburbs are so it makes since they need a system of some sort.
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