Boston has always led the nation as a city of innovation, and this legacy of creativity and ingenuity extends to public transportation. The time has come for us to carry this legacy forward and explore how we can deliver better and faster access to desired destinations to our residents, workforce and visitors.
One potential opportunity lies in Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, a transportation innovation that would complement our existing transit network and improve mobility and travel time. The possibilities for Boston are tantalizing. BRT vehicles travel apart from traffic in separated parts of the street. Riders wait in weatherproof, enclosed stations rather than open bus stops and pay their fare before boarding the vehicle, which reduces delays. Like a subway, platform level entry through multiple doors speeds up the system while improving access for those with special needs, the elderly, and parents travelling with young children.
Moreover, BRT is cost-effective. Since BRT modifies existing roadways rather than constructing major new rail infrastructure, it is significantly less expensive and faster than adding rail tracks for a new subway or light rail line. This also means BRT lines can be built much more quickly (and adapted much more easily) to serve current and future transit needs of growing cities.
BRT is fast becoming the norm in major international and national urban areas and is a viable part of our transportation future. Cleveland, for example, is home to the highest rated BRT system in the United States. Vehicles in its “Health Line” corridor, traveling in separated lanes, move at speeds of 35 miles per hour, bypassing congestion and traffic. The service also runs around the clock, with service at intervals of five to 15 minutes depending on the time of day. This service has also spurred significant economic activity and development along the route.
Cleveland’s Health Line shows what BRT can achieve and bring to our cities. There are also BRT systems in California and Nevada, and they are coming to Chicago and Hartford.
Coming Soon?
Boston’s Silver Line, which only acts as true Bus Rapid Transit while it is underground, has opened up access to the South Boston Waterfront and Logan Airport and helped catalyze development in one of the fastest growing areas of Massachusetts. Imagine what we could do with a system that fully operates as BRT.
As a member of a study group convened by the Barr Foundation, I’ve been working with others to assess the feasibility and potential benefits BRT could bring to the Greater Boston area. More analysis is needed to assess where BRT service would be the best fit, as it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for every corridor and every community.
The potential improvements BRT might contribute to the region must also be explored and quantified. Impacts to pedestrians, cyclists and cars will also need to be considered and carefully evaluated. Most importantly, community and neighborhood stakeholders must be fully engaged in this work and the conversation around BRT. These challenges, however, are small when compared to what we might be able to achieve through BRT. Boston was put on the map because we were not afraid to dream big. It’s time for us to do so again.
Rick Dimino is the president and CEO of A Better City.
