Improving commute times with BRTs back on the table

Commuters in Edmonton’s suburban neighbourhoods are once again watching City Hall’s debate over adding BRT bus routes to the roster of transit options.

With LRT expansion decades in the future, an advisory group is bringing the subject up again, hoping to improve commute times for residents outside of the current service area.

What is BRT?

BRT, which stands for “bus rapid transit”, a high-speed bus route with high-frequency service, would operate where future LRT corridors are planned.  BRT service operates in larger centres such as Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver and should be back on the table for Edmonton.  The city’s current growth and stunted transit infrastructure depends that a city of one million plus citizens have a more efficient rush-hour transit plan.

The advisory group believes that BRT would move commuters quickly and high-frequency buses would increase current commuter capacity.  The system would cost substantially less than building an LRT.

Lobby groups and the City of Edmonton have tried on three separate occasions to bring BRT service to the Capital but all three proposals have never been acted upon.

BRT lines have been considered before

The last time a BRT was up for consideration eight years ago, a route was proposed between Edmonton downtown and Lewis Estates.  The plan involved the construction of heated stations with comprehensive lighting as well as dedicated lanes for buses and priority over other traffic.  Platforms would be at bus level, as they are with the LRT and fares collected outside the bus to shorten delays while boarding.

While Edmonton city council came close to pushing the project through in 2007, transit GM Bob Bouilier yanked the proposal saying he’d rather save funds for a future LRT.

The BRT advisory board findings which call for a second look of the BRT proposal will be reviewed by city hall on Oct 7.

Members of the public have been asked for input on the Edmonton’s transit strategy at a cost of $1.4 million.  The public engagement plan is asking commuters in neighbourhoods currently underserved by transit where new service would best be implemented and what type of service is preferred.

Possible BRT routes in this round of proposals would have to travel busy Edmonton roads, such as Calgary Trail or perhaps 97 Street north of city centre.  Many of Edmonton’s current busy arteries are too narrow to accommodate a dedicated BRT lane.  While some rapid buses could follow intended LRT routes, a BRT would improve commuter transit for Edmonton neighbourhoods unlikely to ever see an LRT line through their neighbourhood.

The last report, rejected in 2007 by city council, took three years to compile.  It also called for well-lit terminals and exclusive bus lanes on busy thoroughfares with stations about 1.6 km apart.

Preliminary approval was given in July 2007 to a rapid transit route to downtown Edmonton from Lewis Estates.  In that plan, it would have been necessary for the city to purchase land along Stoney Plain Road west of 142 Street. At least 15 homes would have had to be demolished, as well as seven businesses. The complete plan was scrapped due to a renewed focus on building a future LRT and because the term “BRT” may have been too confusing for other city departments and the public in general

At that time, the city felt it wasn’t necessary to tear down homes to gain a couple of minutes on a bus route.