Shanghai Adds 300 Kilometers of Bus Lanes

As the city moves forward with plans to expand its overcrowded underground metro system, Shanghai transit officials are also planning to build a 300km network of bus only lanes to speed travel across the city.

"Shanghai commuters should get speedier rides in the next few years as the city plans to expand its 70-plus kilometers of bus lanes fourfold by 2010, transport officials said yesterday.

They'll also find bus travel slightly cheaper, with new fare discounts set to go into effect this summer.

The construction of more lanes reserved for transit buses is an important step in Shanghai's effort to improve its public transport system, officials said.

Under the plan, bus-lane coverage will be beefed up to 300 kilometers by 2010, including 110 kilometers in the downtown, said Li Wenhui, director of the Shanghai Urban Transport Management Bureau.

Fare policy changes are also in the works to encourage more commuters to ride the bus and reduce pressure on the overcrowded Metro system."

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2007/200703/20070329/article_310766.htm

CALTRANS SUPPORTS BRT

"Of the declining number of options available, BRT
(Bus Rapid Transit) is emerging as one of the most
attractive investment choices especially since our
State Highway System presents tremendous opportunities
to quickly implement BRT services."

Will Kempton, Caltrans Director

It also appears that Caltrans is committed to a multi-modal
level of service policy.

"It is our policy to transport the maximum number of
people as efficiently and cost effectively
as possible through comprehensive, multimodal
'system management.' "

Caltrans' website for BRT:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/MassTrans/Bus_Rapid_Transit.htm.

The BRT Handbook can be downloaded by using this link:

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/MassTrans/DOCS_PDFS/BRT/
BRT_Handbook_0307.pdf

Statement of Caltrans Director in BRT Handbook

Bus Rapid Transit: A Handbook for Partners

The Governor’s Strategic Growth Plan envisions a
world- class transportation system available to all of
our State’s residents. California taxpayers have invested
tens of billions of dollars in our transportation system,
and it is crucial that we maximize the usefulness and
utility of these facilities. With new freeways virtually
unaffordable and difficult to implement from an
environmental and community impacts standpoint,
we need to focus on enhancing capacity in the existing
system.

It is our policy to transport the maximum number of
people as efficiently and costeffectively as possible
through comprehensive, multimodal “system management.”
Of the declining number of options available,
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT ) is emerging as one of the most
attractive investment choices especially since our State Highway
System presents tremendous opportunities to quickly implement
BRT services.

With one of the most extensive networks of High Occupancy
Vehicle (HOV ) lanes in the world, California already has a
foundation in place to support the development of BRT
operations in our urban areas.

I am committed to fully integrate BRT as an investment
alternative in our system and comprehensive corridor
planning and project development processes. To carry
out this commitment, I have directed Caltrans staff to
work closely with local transit planning and development
entities to innovate, advocate, and assist in the
implementation of BRT projects.

This document provides examples of the flexibility of
BRT and presents successful experiences. In every case,
the objective is to maximize the movement of people,
not just vehicles. BRT offers a potentially cost-effective
means to increase the effectiveness of our highway and s
treet system, and we at the California Department of
Transportation are excited about the opportunities to
advance affordable high quality transit services.

WILL KEMPTON
Director, Caltrans

World's Largest Buses In Shanghai BRT

With three sections, five doors, and a 300-person capacity, the "world's largest bus" has been unveiled in Shanghai. The new buses will be used for a planned bus rapid transit line in the city.

It takes about 35 steps to walk from the front to the back. It has five doors, 40 seats and can carry 300 people. The top speed is around 80 kilometers per hour.

http://www.planetizen.com/node/23275

BRT Videos on YouTube

Thanks to Bill Vincent of Breakthrough Technologies (www.gobrt.org) for letting us know about these videos. You can find many more videos and comments about BRT at YouTube by going to http://www.youtube.com/ and typing "BRT" in the search box.


Making Things Happen with Bus Rapid Transit, Part I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZl1N6bTp_M and

Making Things Happen with Bus Rapid Transit, Part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LEtf32Bu3Y

You can also link to "Making Things Happen with Bus Rapid Transit"
on Bill Vincent’s YouTube page:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=bvincent1


BRT Mexico City - YouTube video in English
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVRriKqXaIs

BRT Mexico City - YouTube video in Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOzZKwO6a6k

Phileas bus rapid transit Eindhoven. Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StN-4xdzhz4




Retrofit Mexico City Part I of II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO0pIWuzv8Q&mode=related&search=

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