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TRANSACTIONS ONLINE
October/November 1999
Rapid Bus Projects

Under the rapid bus scenario, the region would take this highly flexible, underappreciated form of transit to a new level, deploying the next generation of top-of-the-line buses wherever there are chronic traffic problems.

The success of this mode hinges on closing several gaps in the region's network of freeway and expressway diamond lanes, also known as high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes or carpool lanes, and extending the network outward to fast-growing residential areas on the region's fringes. Equally crucial is the completion of several HOV connectors between freeways, and between freeways and key destinations such as transit hubs or park-and-ride lots. High-tech signal preemption equipment would permit buses to speed along local arterials by turning red lights to green.

The rapid bus package is priced at $600 million in capital costs, a figure that allows for acquiring as many as 400 vehicles as well as adding park-and-ride lots, well-appointed bus shelters and 72 lane miles to the region's 543 lane-mile network of existing or already financed HOV facilities (a lane mile extends along one direction of the freeway). Requiring an estimated $120 million a year in operating subsidies, this option gives the region a big bang for its buck. Rapid buses can approach the speed, flow and frequency of a rail system when on the freeway, then exit to city streets to deliver commuters practically to their doorsteps or jobs. Moreover, a bus network can be expanded or contracted--or its vehicles redeployed--as demand warrants.
-- Brenda Kahn

Promising Rapid Bus Projects*

Golden Gate Transit

  • Intra Marin County
  • Marin to San Francisco
  • Sonoma to Marin/San Francisco
S.F. Muni
  • Mission/Bayview
  • Richmond District AC Transit
  • Intra Oakland/Berkeley
  • West Contra Costa to Oakland/ Berkeley
SamTrans
  • Intra San Mateo
  • Northern San Mateo to San Francisco
  • San Mateo to Santa Clara Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
  • East San Jose/Milpitas to Silicon Valley
  • West Valley to Silicon Valley
  • Fremont BART to Silicon Valley
WHEELS (Livermore/Amador Valley)
  • Intra Tri-Valley
Other (no specific operator)
  • South/Central Alameda County to San Francisco
  • Intra West Contra Costa County
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