Bus Rapid Transit is Trendy

[walkitout]

Chicago is thinking about some for Ashland and Western. Portland is even thinking about some, because it has corridors it wants to develop and the federal government is not as forthcoming with money as it once was. This is by no means a complete list, but I have to say this surprised me a little:

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2013/01/7147580/post-sandy-commission-bring-true-bus-rapid-transit-new-york

NYC is thinking about BRT. Who'd'a'thunk?

The whole thing has gotten so popular (as a planning exercise, at any rate) that rail boosters are trying to argue that True BRT isn't really any cheaper than light rail systems. They like to point to Boston's Silver Line as an example of just how expensive BRT can get, which hardly seems fair (http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/blogs/lyndon-henry/research-study-brt-can-truly-be-pricier-than-lrt.html).

Other communities contemplating BRT: Twin Cities,

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_22405228/dakota-county-hopes-high-development-along-bus-rapid

Nashville,

http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2013/01/28/have-the-tracks-been-laid-or-is-the-final-brt-route-still-up-for-discussion

Memphis,

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/jan/07/editorial-mata-subs-bus-rapid-transit-routes-for/

Looks like San Diego has a real project: http://www.pomeradonews.com/2013/01/31/sabre-springs-transit-station-work-to-begin/

Specifically:

http://www.keepsandiegomoving.com/SouthBay-BRT/south-bay-brt-intro.aspx

Comparing Seattle's Rapid Ride to True BRT:

http://crosscut.com/2013/01/08/transportation/112363/dont-let-rapidride-turn-you-bus-rapid-transit/