BRT As roads become more crowded, gas more expensive and concern for air quality and sustainability greater, many cities may dream of slick metro and rail systems. Unfortunatly these may be out of financial reach or impractical for widely dispersed areas.
A proper BRT can be a financally viable and attractive solution for cities that need better public transit, but if the goal is to attract riders and some of the development potential of rapid transit, then it ought to be BRT with proper STATIONS.
This is surprisingly similar to what we might expect in a metro or subway stations (in contrast to open-air shelters):
- enclosed stations (no wind, no rain, no snow, potential to be heated in colder climates)
-level walk-in boarding.
- ticket/card window/machine near the entrance
- smart card or fare card tursnstiles to enter the station
- small gap (wheelchairs and strollers just roll on)
- sets of sliding doors on the station platform that only open when the bus arrives
Interstingly (and embarrasingly) there are **no** BRT systems with such complete stations in North America. At all.
This one is from latin america (Colombia of all places) and a similar station style has been used in cities from ranging from half a million people to 8 million people.
Why there and not here? - becuase in Latin America so much of the population relies on public transport, they have no choice but to build well.
One might think that with all the weather considerations that BRT (and LRT) systems in North America would have nice enclosed stations, but noooo, that would be too thoughtful.
Despite what they do for helpng keep cars off the road transit riders are often treated like second class citizens in North America. Its refreshing to see that this isn't the case elsewhere.
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