BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT)

On Tuesday, January 15, 2008, CDTA unveiled its plan for new rapid transit service along Route 5 corridor over the next two years, called the Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, line. About 25% of CDTA ridership comes from east- and westbound travel along the Route 5 (#55) corridor. The BRT line will feature 20 "stations" that may replace up to 96 stops along the route depending on where riders get on or off the bus, shaving up to 17 minutes off the 72-minute route. The stations will also provide riders with heated shelters, rest rooms, security, and vending machines, allowing riders to purchase bus passes, thus further speeding boarding times.

Kristina Younger, CDTA's strategic planning director, said, "We think we are designing a service that will keep our existing riders happy and will also attract new riders."

Depending upon BRT's success, it will be interesting to see if CDTA extends the improvements to other routes in the Capital District, or if they will be able to use similar improvements to extend service to outlying areas where bus service is either sparse or nonexistent.


Source:
Cathy Woodruff. "CDTA Rapid Service Advances." Times Union. January 15, 2008.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=655230