Citation

Amundsen C. Am. City Cty. 2001; 116(8): 44-53.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Penton Media)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, which are as different from conventional bus transit as heavy rail is from light rail, are growing more popular as a mode of public transportation. BRT is, at a minimum, faster than conventional local bus service and, at a maximum, includes grade-separated bus operations. The essential features of a BRT system are bus priority and fast passenger boarding and fare collection. BRT offers an alternative to traditional bus and light rail transit in the form of electronically guided, rubber-tired vehicles that operate on exclusive transitways with the same quality of ride, safety, and reliability as rail-guided vehicles. This article provides an overview of BRT including its main system components, and describes BRT projects in several cities in the U.S. that are currently in various stages of development.