Are Bus Rapid Transit Environmental Benefits Worth the Risks?

Most City of Madison officials have billed the city`s upcoming Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system as an important method to increase city-wide sustainability. However, variables such as ridership, implementation, and cohesiveness with other city systems have the potential to create negative environmental externalities if the project is not executed properly.

“As long as this project is done responsibly and in line with current environmental protections, I think we can be confident [that Bus Rapid Transit] will be an added benefit to the Madison area,” said Jonathan Drewsen, communications director for Clean Wisconsin, the state’s oldest and largest environmental advocacy organization...

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Ken Notes: I have been a fan of BRT for a long time and suggested consideration when East Washington and the University Drive corridors were upgraded (I even had a seat at the table as a Member of the Madison Area Transportation Planning Board). Now we must retrofit BRT into existing roads this will be difficult, very difficult. I still like the system, but we need to be careful in the implementation. It also needs to be business and tourist friendly, Montreal would be a great place to visit with a great mix of options...