<p>Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Fact Sheet- 6/25/08</p><p>Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is Better Reliable Transit; it combines methods like bus only lanes and bus priority at traffic signals to provide faster, more efficient transportation. BRT will include improvements to infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling in order to provide a higher quality bus service for commuters.</p><p>Benefits  Faster, more efficient bus service  Increased reliability  The ability to build and improve incrementally  The flexibility to serve the suburbs as well as densely populated cities  Improvement of alternative transit, fostering increased ridership  Contributing to nation’s effort to reduce oil usage</p><p>Possible Methods of BRT BRT is a form of fixed route bus service that includes features such as:  Bus only lanes  Bus priority at traffic signals  Less frequent stops  Off-vehicle fare collection methods  Unique vehicle branding for easy service identification  Enhanced stops including designated stations for improved boarding time</p><p>Project Description RTS will initiate a BRT feasibility study in late summer 08. RTS has hired the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) to help complete the study. The study will evaluate the feasibility of implementing a bus rapid transit service in the following corridors:  SW 20th Avenue/SW 62nd Boulevard  University Avenue/Newberry Road  13th Street  SW 23rd Terrace and SW 35th Place  Archer Road (from Tower Road to SW 13th Street)  Depot Avenue (from SW 13th Street to Waldo Road)  Waldo Road (from Depot Avenue corridor to Airport Industrial Park)  Hawthorne Road/SR 20 (from Waldo Road to SE 43rd Street) These corridors were identified in the Gainesville Metropolitan Area 2025 Transportation Plan and the Plan East Gainesville (PEG) Final Report for bus service enhancements.</p><p>Method and Objective The system planning process will include a comprehensive overview of the existing transportation system, land use patterns, travel demand patterns and roadway congestion issues in order to investigate, analyze and determine the feasibility of implementing BRT and associated bus service enhancements in Gainesville and urbanized areas of Alachua County. </p><p>About CUTR The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) is a division of the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida in Tampa. CUTR provides objective transportation expertise in the form of technical support, policy analysis and research support, with emphasis on developing innovative, implementable solutions to transportation problems.</p><p>Funding The overall budget for the study and report is $299,995.</p><p>Project Management Team (PMT) The PMT consists of representatives from the Metropolitan Transportation Organization (MTPO), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Alachua County, City of Gainesville, Santa Fe Community College (SFCC), and the University of Florida (UF). Its members are:  Mr. Marlie Sanderson, Director of Transportation Planning, North Central Florida Regional Planning Council  Mr. Phillip Worth, District Public Transportation Management, FDOT  Mr. Jackson Sasser, President, SFCC  Mr. Robert Hunzinger, General Manager for Utilities, Gainesville Regional Utilities  Mr. Bob Miller, Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration, UF  Ms. Linda Dixon, Assistant Director Facilities Planning & Construction, UF  Ms. Teresa Scott, Public Works Director, City of Gainesville  Mr. Erik Bredfeldt, Planning & Development Director, City of Gainesville  Mr. Richard Hedrik, Public Works Director, Alachua County  Mr. Randall Reid, County Manager, Alachua County  Mr. Richard Drummond, Assistant County Manager, Alachua County</p><p>Who Else is Using BRT? More communities are looking at BRT as commuters, employers and developers seek more alternatives to congestion and communities seek to improve their quality of life. BRT systems implemented in Florida include*:</p><p>Lymmo (Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Lynx) Lymmo is a no-fare circulator service operating on a three-mile dedicated bus lane through downtown Orlando. The 10 low floor Lymmo vehicles use compressed natural gas as fuel and are capable of controlling traffic signals to minimize stops. The buses arrive in 5-minute intervals during office hours. The 13 lighted Lymmo stations are equipped with electronic kiosks providing next bus arrival information. Web site: http://www.golynx.com/?pid=1155575</p><p>South Miami-Dade Busway (Miami-Dade Transit) Opened in 1997, this 8.5-mile stretch of road is dedicated exclusively to express bus service, and includes free parking, landscaping, and 30 stations dotting the busway's perimeter. The at-grade, bi-directional busway also includes a bike path along its entire length. In 2003, the busway averaged 13,000 boardings per day, 40% of which are estimated to be "choice" riders. An 11.5 mile Busway II will extend the existing bus-only lanes south to Homestead and Florida City. Web site: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/transit/south_miamidade_busway.asp</p><p>*From APTA Information Center</p>