What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?
What does
this mean for me?
Why a busway?
Why Douglas
Street?
Why do we
need to change things now?
When will
construction of the busway begin?
What is being done to address business concerns?
What does
'transit priority' mean?
What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?
Bus Rapid Transit or BRT is a modern high capacity, efficient transit mode that combines the convenience and quality typical of rail service with the flexibility and cost advantages of buses. BRT service is in operation in many communities around the world and has been successful in increasing transit ridership. BRT projects include specially identified, high frequency, reliable service, designated stations linked to local land use, exclusive bus lanes, information and traffic systems technology. For more information: www.gobrt.org or http://www.calstart.org/programs/brt/new/index.php?p=programs
What does this mean for me?
This is the beginning of rapid transit that residents have
been asking for. The busway will relieve the areas of traffic
congestion, provide facilities designed for growth and give
you a viable travel option. As a bus rider, the transit
priority signals and later the busway will give you faster
travel between downtown and Westshore/Saanich Roads.
Why a busway?
A busway provides a higher quality service to transit than
other alternatives. In curb side bus only lanes, rapid bus
service conflicts with local buses which stop more often
and with traffic turning right into driveways and side streets.
A median busway in the road's center provides an exclusive
area for rapid bus service to operate with a minimum of
conflict results in the highest quality of service.
Why Douglas Street?
Douglas Street has been the main travel corridor into downtown
Victoria for many years. In 1998, the City of Victoria designated
the center of Douglas Street as their preferred corridor
for future rapid transit. As the population of Greater Victoria
grows, more and more cars, trucks and bicycles will use
this street. We cannot expand the street, so we must make
more efficient use of it. Giving priority to public transit
makes it a more attractive and viable option for people
who might otherwise take their own vehicles to work, which
reduces congestion and improves traffic flow for everyone.
Why do we need to change things
now?
Traffic congestion continues to grow and delay adds no benefit
to the project. Federal and provincial infrastructure funding
has recently provided $5.1 million towards construction of a busway along Douglas Street. This provides
an opportunity to act now to plan a transit system that
will work better for all of us, well into the future.
When will construction of the busway
begin?
Detailed alignment plans for the busway will be presented to municipalities, Ministry of Transportation, Regional District and Transit Commission in January 2008. Following approval of these plans and acquisition of any needed budget a construction schedule can be developed. It is expected that construction would potentially begin in the winter of 2009.
What is being done to address business concerns?
During the first round of business and public consultations, businesses along Douglas Street raised several concerns relating to access, parking and loading. The development of the busway in the center of the street means that left turn access across the busway will be limited to locations with traffic signals. Since the meetings, plans have been revised to increase the number of left turn opportunities along the corridor providing better access to businesses and adjacent commercial neighbourhoods. U-turns have also been discussed with municipal and provincial officials to increase the access to business. Project planners are also working with municipal staff to identify opportunities to replace parking and loading areas now on Douglas Street with similar facilities on adjacent side streets.
What does 'transit priority' mean?
Transit
Priority means finding ways to make public transit systems
work better. Cities around the world have used a wide range
of transit priority measures to help keep traffic moving
smoothly, including: changes to traffic signals, exclusive
transit lanes, roadway improvements and changes to scheduling.
Transit priority measures usually have a positive effect
on all vehicle traffic.
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