Bus Rapid Transit Coming To Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) wants to bring Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to Jacksonville. However, there's a lot of confusion about what's coming to Jacksonville is and isn't. Here's a glimpse at what's headed to our streets.
What is BRT?
In general, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) aims to combine the speed and attractiveness of a light rail system with the flexibility and simplicity of a bus system. To be considered BRT, buses should operate for a significant part of their journey within a fully dedicated right of way (busway), in order to avoid traffic congestion. The EmX is a successful example of a BRT system operating within its own dedicated right of way.
The EmX - Eugene, Oregon
As shown in the Oregon example, true BRT systems typically include most of the following elements:
- A busway alignment in the center of the road (to avoid typical curb-side delays)
- Stations with off-board fare collection (to reduce boarding and alighting delay related to paying the driver)
- Station platforms level with the bus floor (to reduce boarding and alighting delay caused by steps)
- Bus priority at intersections (to avoid intersection signal delay)
What's Coming to Jacksonville
A map of JTA's proposed BRT system
The BRT system proposed by JTA introduces the amenities and operational characteristics of BRT to Jacksonville. However, the significant capital costs of BRT are avoided because buses will travel in mixed-traffic as opposed to utilizing busways. In transit circles, this type of system is generally referred to as BRT-LITE.
In 2012, JTA selected a new brand name for their proposed BRT system, "The Max". "MAX" is an acronym for Metropolitan Area Express. It's the same acronym that has successfully been branded for a similar BRT project in Kansas City, Missouri.
With that in mind, if you really want to know what Jacksonville's BRT system will resemble, just take a look at the Kansas City MAX promotional video below:
The Kansas City MAX
Just Like Rail, Only Cheaper?
As an attempt to gain public support, some go as far to claim that BRT is an effective substitute for Light Rail Transit (LRT) or that BRT can eventually be converted into LRT at a later date. While BRT does have its merits, these types of claims are inaccurate, expensive and difficult to actually achieve, thus hurting the image of BRT and mass transit in general. However, we'll let the videos speak for themselves. Compare the video below with those shown above and answer the question for yourself.
Valley Metro LRT - Phoenix, Arizona
JTA plans to break ground on Jacksonville's first BRT line in 2014. All BRT corridors are expected to be completed by 2020. In the end, there's nothing wrong with the concept of BRT-LITE. However, we need to understand what's actually coming to our community and what it will and won't deliver.
Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com
In general, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) aims to combine the speed and attractiveness of a light rail system with the flexibility and simplicity of a bus system. To be considered BRT, buses should operate for a significant part of their journey within a fully dedicated right of way (busway), in order to avoid traffic congestion. The EmX is a successful example of a BRT system operating within its own dedicated right of way.
The EmX - Eugene, Oregon
As shown in the Oregon example, true BRT systems typically include most of the following elements:
- A busway alignment in the center of the road (to avoid typical curb-side delays)
- Stations with off-board fare collection (to reduce boarding and alighting delay related to paying the driver)
- Station platforms level with the bus floor (to reduce boarding and alighting delay caused by steps)
- Bus priority at intersections (to avoid intersection signal delay)
What's Coming to Jacksonville
A map of JTA's proposed BRT system
The BRT system proposed by JTA introduces the amenities and operational characteristics of BRT to Jacksonville. However, the significant capital costs of BRT are avoided because buses will travel in mixed-traffic as opposed to utilizing busways. In transit circles, this type of system is generally referred to as BRT-LITE.
In 2012, JTA selected a new brand name for their proposed BRT system, "The Max". "MAX" is an acronym for Metropolitan Area Express. It's the same acronym that has successfully been branded for a similar BRT project in Kansas City, Missouri.
With that in mind, if you really want to know what Jacksonville's BRT system will resemble, just take a look at the Kansas City MAX promotional video below:
The Kansas City MAX
Just Like Rail, Only Cheaper?
As an attempt to gain public support, some go as far to claim that BRT is an effective substitute for Light Rail Transit (LRT) or that BRT can eventually be converted into LRT at a later date. While BRT does have its merits, these types of claims are inaccurate, expensive and difficult to actually achieve, thus hurting the image of BRT and mass transit in general. However, we'll let the videos speak for themselves. Compare the video below with those shown above and answer the question for yourself.
Valley Metro LRT - Phoenix, Arizona
JTA plans to break ground on Jacksonville's first BRT line in 2014. All BRT corridors are expected to be completed by 2020. In the end, there's nothing wrong with the concept of BRT-LITE. However, we need to understand what's actually coming to our community and what it will and won't deliver.
Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com