Rapid Transit Has Proven, Successful Results

Curitiba, Brazil’s pioneering rapid transit line has made it a transit model for cities around the world and is utilized by 85% of the city’s population, around 2.3 million passengers per day. Curitiba is approximately the same size as Phoenix, AZ.  In Phoenix, approximately 1% of the population commutes to work using public transit; in Curitiba, 75% of commuters use transit.  rapid transit is the trademark mode of Curitiba’s transit system.

William Vincent, Director of the National Bus Rapid Transit Institute, considers Brisbane, Australia’s new Busway line to be a model for U.S. cities that are developing rapid transit.  Brisbane’s system is comprised largely of fully separated lanes, which allow the buses to operate completely independently of personal vehicle traffic.  Much of the line through Downtown Brisbane runs underground, and the branches moving outward utilize former rail rights-of-way. 

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada initiated its rapid transit service in 1983, and has since expanded that service several times.  The ridership demand for Ottawa’s rapid transit is so great they are looking for ways to increase capacity, and are experimenting with double-decker buses.  The St. Laurent Mall, which has a rapid transit station attached, has the highest gross sales revenue per square foot in Ottawa.

New York City has recently implemented rapid transit as an inexpensive way to relieve stress from the subway system.  By designating bus only lanes they are, in effect, creating a subway with a view.  A recent survey indicated that 98% of rapid transit passengers in New York are satisfied with the service.

Cleveland, Ohio’s rapid transit line, the Healthline, in conjunction with a strong Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy, has been credited with prompting the rebirth of Euclid Avenue.  The area surrounding the line has seen approximately $4.3 billion of new investment.   Ridership on the rapid transit line topped 335,000, a 75 percent increase over the 228,000 riders on the No. 6 bus, which ran the same route the previous year.