Better. Faster. Coming soon. Arterial Bus Rapid Transit
IMPROVING TRANSIT ON HIGH-TRAFFIC ROUTES In 2012, Metro Transit completed a study of ways to improve speed and customer experience on 12 of its highest-ridership bus routes. These are lines where transit demand is high, but streets aren’t wide enough to accommodate light rail or a dedicated lane for buses. Opening Transit speeds on these routes are slowed down Late 2015 on by frequent stops and red lights. And customer waiting facilities are limited. Snelling Avenue & Arterial bus rapid transit, or BRT, is a package of Ford Parkway transit enhancements that adds up to a faster trip and an improved experience on Metro Transit’s busiest bus routes. BRT would be up to 25 percent faster than local bus service – without making major changes to the street. NEXT STOP: SNELLING AVENUE & FORD PARKWAY Metro Transit is currently working to implement the A Line on Snelling Avenue & Ford Parkway for a late 2015 launch.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Katie Roth, Project Manager Metro Transit BRT/Small Starts Project Office [email protected] metrotransit.org/snelling-brt
Where will arterial BRT be built first? A Line (Snelling/ Ford) A Line (Snelling/ Ford) A Line (Snelling/ Ford) A Line (Snelling/ Ford) After the A Line DESIGN CONSTRUCTION OPEN FOR SERVICE OPEN FOR SERVICE opens on Snelling & OPEN FOR SERVICE Ford in late 2015, B Line (West 7th Street) B Line (West 7th Street) B Line (West 7th Street) B Line (West 7th Street) one additional line is PLANNING & DESIGN DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION OPEN FOR SERVICE OPEN FOR SERVICE planned to open each C Line (Penn Avenue) C Line (Penn Avenue) C Line (Penn Avenue) C Line (Penn Avenue) year as the system is PLANNING DESIGN DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION OPEN FOR SERVICE built out. D Line (TBD) D Line (TBD) D Line (TBD) PLANNING DESIGN DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION E Line (TBD) E Line (TBD) PLANNING DESIGN metrotransit.org/snelling-brt FEBRUARY 2014
Limited Stops, More Frequent Service More Green Time with Signal Priority BRT would become the primary service in the corridor, with During rush hours today, local increased service on nights & weekends. buses spend about 25% of their Local bus would continue to run at a reduced frequency to scheduled time stopped at red lights. serve local trips & off-corridor branches. With transit signal priority buses can Service every 7-10 minutes BRT “ask” traffic signals for early or 1/2 mile between stations extended green lights to keep moving. Service every 30 minutes Traffic lights will determine whether to LOCAL BUS 1/8 mile between stops give BRT the extra green time.
Pre-Boarding Fare Payment for Faster Stops What makes Bus For speedier boarding through all bus doors, Rapid Transit BRT won’t have on-board fareboxes. Customers will either purchase a ticket at the Each station will different? station or tap a Go-To card. have a ticket Roving fare inspectors—not drivers—will machine, where BRT won’t have a ensure customers have paid. customers can buy dedicated lane for buses. tickets with cash or credit. Everything else about the Customers with Go-To lines will be designed for cards tap at the station faster travel speeds & before boarding. enhanced customer comfort.
Curb Extensions for Speed & Space Neighborhood-Scale Stations with Amenities
BRT will run in general traffic and won’t widen the Stations will be equipped with more amenities for a safe and roadway. Instead, the project will add curb comfortable customer experience, similar to light rail. extensions at stations. Today, buses stop in the right-turn lane Typical Current Bus Stop with little space for customer amenities
Merging back into traffic causes delay
Buses stop before crossing intersection and are more likely to be delayed by red lights
BRT stops farside BRT Curb Extension Station of intersection, progressing through signal before stopping to board passengers
Curb extension provides space for a BRT station and eliminates side-to-side weaving