Comments on: Proposing a better Bus Rapid Transit system http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/04/28/proposing-a-better-bus-rapid-transit-system/ A New York City Subway Blog Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:23:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » New York giveth away and Chicago taketh http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/04/28/proposing-a-better-bus-rapid-transit-system/#comment-34597 Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » New York giveth away and Chicago taketh Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:45:36 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=820#comment-34597 [...] New York, the blow stings a bit. Chicago, in particular, is adopting measures that New York really needs and should have. At a time when many are noting that our own BRT system may be delayed a few years, Chicago’s [...] [...] New York, the blow stings a bit. Chicago, in particular, is adopting measures that New York really needs and should have. At a time when many are noting that our own BRT system may be delayed a few years, Chicago’s [...]

]]> By: Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » Critiquing COMMUTE’s BRT plan http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/04/28/proposing-a-better-bus-rapid-transit-system/#comment-34527 Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » Critiquing COMMUTE’s BRT plan Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:21:24 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=820#comment-34527 [...] 2nd Ave. Subway History « Proposing a better Bus Rapid Transit system [...] [...] 2nd Ave. Subway History « Proposing a better Bus Rapid Transit system [...]

]]> By: Cap'n Transit http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/04/28/proposing-a-better-bus-rapid-transit-system/#comment-34525 Cap'n Transit Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:43:42 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=820#comment-34525 Alfred, it's not clear what alternative you're proposing: let these people continue to have long commutes? The infrastructure work on the current BRT projects is being done by the DOT. A bus may cause more damage to a roadway than a car, but does it cause more damage than twenty cars and twenty SUVs? The COMMUTE plan deserves its fair share of criticism, and <a href="http://capntransit.blogspot.com/2008/04/brt-bait-and-switch-commute-plan.html" rel="nofollow">I give it plenty here</a>, but it's at least putting ideas on the table beyond the current five BRT pilot projects. I've been charitable enough to assume that they're proposing dedicated (but not grade-separated) rights-of-way for each route, which is why I argue that the ones proposed for four-lane two-way roads are politically challenging. Alfred, it’s not clear what alternative you’re proposing: let these people continue to have long commutes? The infrastructure work on the current BRT projects is being done by the DOT. A bus may cause more damage to a roadway than a car, but does it cause more damage than twenty cars and twenty SUVs?

The COMMUTE plan deserves its fair share of criticism, and I give it plenty here, but it’s at least putting ideas on the table beyond the current five BRT pilot projects. I’ve been charitable enough to assume that they’re proposing dedicated (but not grade-separated) rights-of-way for each route, which is why I argue that the ones proposed for four-lane two-way roads are politically challenging.

]]> By: Alfred Beech http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/04/28/proposing-a-better-bus-rapid-transit-system/#comment-34519 Alfred Beech Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:48:49 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=820#comment-34519 Sure, the right of way is cheap, but it's a <em>shared </em> right of way. The subway doesn't get stuck in traffic. BRT proponents typically tout the lower startup costs, but gloss over the continuing operation costs. Busses require more maintenance than subway cars, the price of their fuel is increasing dramatically, and heavy vehicles cause more damage to roadways. Does the MTA really have more money to start up more bus lines? Sure, the right of way is cheap, but it’s a shared right of way. The subway doesn’t get stuck in traffic.

BRT proponents typically tout the lower startup costs, but gloss over the continuing operation costs. Busses require more maintenance than subway cars, the price of their fuel is increasing dramatically, and heavy vehicles cause more damage to roadways.

Does the MTA really have more money to start up more bus lines?

]]>