BRT for Pittsburgh? (Oakland: centers, buses, authority)

[MathmanMathman]

As rail seems to take forever to put in and is so expensive, maybe go with BRT which can later transition to LRT if ridership is great enough?

Streetfilms | L.A.’s Orange Line: Bus Rapid Transit (plus bike path!)

LA is using it and is also promoting bikes.

Streetfilms | Bus Rapid Transit: Bogotá

Bogota seems to be the most successful. They also have bike dedicated paths away from the road.

What I see in BRT is that some lanes are taken and dedicated to buses but Pittsburgh has severe limitations to road widths. I don't know if Pittsburgh can spare the space for a lot of bus dedicated routes.

[ElijahAstin]

I guess the city could start by expanding upon the preexisting bus-lines, but beyond that, given the city's infrastructure and topography, it would be quite difficult to do so effectively.

[wpipkins]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

As rail seems to take forever to put in and is so expensive, maybe go with BRT which can later transition to LRT if ridership is great enough?

Streetfilms | L.A.’s Orange Line: Bus Rapid Transit (plus bike path!)

LA is using it and is also promoting bikes.

Streetfilms | Bus Rapid Transit: Bogotá

Bogota seems to be the most successful. They also have bike dedicated paths away from the road.

What I see in BRT is that some lanes are taken and dedicated to buses but Pittsburgh has severe limitations to road widths. I don't know if Pittsburgh can spare the space for a lot of bus dedicated routes.

pittsburgh has an extensive brt system. The east busway carries more riders than the light rail system. Actuall pittsburgh and I beleive a columbian city started brt in the 70s

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

I guess the city could start by expanding upon the preexisting bus-lines, but beyond that, given the city's infrastructure and topography, it would be quite difficult to do so effectively.

Aerial Gondolas.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by wpipkins

pittsburgh has an extensive brt system. The east busway carries more riders than the light rail system. Actuall pittsburgh and I beleive a columbian city started brt in the 70s

But is it true BRT? It should be similar to a subway with platforms level with the bus entrance, no stepping up into the bus. And you pay when you enter the station...not the bus.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

Aerial Gondolas.

Yes, that's proof that Brian is MIA.

[ctoocheck]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

But is it true BRT? It should be similar to a subway with platforms level with the bus entrance, no stepping up into the bus. And you pay when you enter the station...not the bus.

There are a few different features of BRT, and not all are necessary for it to be considered BRT. The East Busway is true BRT even though it doesn't have level boarding and super fancy stations.

As part of the TDP, another form of BRT has been discussed for the Fifth/Forbes corridor through Oakland (and onward), which would involve mainly bus priority at signals, dedicated bus lanes, and improved stop design.

PAT actually has a nice little flyer explaining this route and BRT in general here.

[slowlane3]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

But is it true BRT? It should be similar to a subway with platforms level with the bus entrance, no stepping up into the bus. And you pay when you enter the station...not the bus.

That sounds like the bus system they have in Curitiba - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . I have read 3 or 4 magazine articles over the years , about that innovative and progressive city.

[jjs65]

Check out the HealthLine in Cleveland. It's BRT using the middle 2 lanes of a 4 lane corridor. There are even dedicated 'stations' every 2 - 3 blocks. Also, green lights hold if a bus is nearing. The whole line has traffic signal priority to the buses along the line.

I'd love it if there was a way to run something like this right along 5th ave. It's the most direct route from the city to Oakland. If the buses had their own lanes and traffic signal priority, it would be so easy to travel between those two centers.

[usaf_1832]

Here's a video on the Cleveland BRT:


Cleveland BRT - YouTube