Future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on Vermont Avenue could resemble the Emerald Express BRT line in Eugene, OR. Photo: ITDP
At this month's board meeting, Metro staff reported that they are hiring consultants to shepherd two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects. Today, SBLA previews one of those: Vermont Avenue BRT.
Briefly, the other BRT project will extend from the San Fernando Valley to the San Gabriel Valley. Connections would include Burbank Airport, and the Metro Gold, Orange, and Red Lines. SBLA will cover this project more as it progresses.
The two BRT projects were given momentum by a July Metro Board motion [PDF] directing Metro staff to advance these projects, including developing a budget and timelines. TheMetro Board re-affirmed the July direction in this October board motion[PDF]. This month, Metro staff stated [audio- item 70 at 3:04] that they are preparing scopes of work and that consultant contracts are expected to be awarded in early 2015. Metro Board chair L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti had pressed for Metro to pursuefederal Small Startsfunding for these BRTs, but Metro staff sounded pessimistic about that program, due to maximum funding of $250 million for each project.
The Vermont Avenue BRT project route has not been finalized, but it is likely to be similar to the current Metro bus lines on Vermont Avenue. Vermont Avenue is one of the nation's highest ridership bus corridors, and ridership is second only to Wilshire. The Vermont bus lines extend about 12 miles from the Metro Green Line (at the 105 Freeway) to Sunset Boulevard, including connections with Red, Purple, and Expo Lines. Depending on funding and other constraints, BRT could run on some of all of this corridor, converting to express/Rapid service in unimproved areas.
Other alternatives might be under consideration, but the Vermont line is anticipated to be "center-running" (also known as "median-aligned") BRT. Center-running BRT has been shown to be faster and safer, compared to running along curbs. For a great explanation, watch this fun Lego-animation video.
Here's a quick tour of some center-running BRT systems up and running elsewhere:
San Bernardino, CA
San Bernadino's sbX Green Line BRT runs in exclusive bus-only lanes. Photo: Omnitrans
Dana Gabbard previewed Omnitrans sbX Green Line BRT which opened earlier this year. The rail-type bus service includes 5.4 miles of exclusive bus-only lanes in the center of E Street and Hospitality Lane. More details at Omnitrans and ITDP.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland's Healthline runs on median-aligned bus-exclusive right-of-way. Photo: ITDP
Cleveland's 9.2 mile "HealthLine" center-running BRT serves the city's Euclid Avenue corridor. Details at RTA and ITDP.
Eugene, OR (photo at top of post)
Eugene's Emerald Express (EmX) chose BRT as it would "significantly enhance transit service and achieve many of the benefits of light rail without the high cost." EmX features 5.2 miles of exclusive center-running BRT. More details at LTD and ITDP.
Guadalajara, Mexico
Bus Rapid Transit in Guadalajara, Mexico. Photo: ITDP
Per ITDP:
In March 2009, Mexico’s second largest city, Guadalajara, unveiled a new bus rapid transit (BRT) system. The 27-station, 16-km [10-mile] system services 130,000 passengers per day and feeds into light rail and other bus services, with fully integrated fares. The project has reduced travel time by 30 percent and is expected to cut the city’s (CO2) emissions by 36,000 metric tons per year, equivalent to removing about 7,000 cars from the roads.
L.A. County needs to embrace physically-protected bikeways, robust traffic calming around schools, and similarly transformative, safety-focused projects