Is the CityGlider bus rapid transit?

[ozbob]

My understanding of bus rapid transit is a high frequency minimal headway bus service on its own right of way.  The CityGlider is just another route bus as far as I can tell.  I noticed the news report on television and and the service being described as bus rapid transit?  Not sure if this an appropriate description. 

[MaxHeadway]

For the time being, the CityGlider is not BRT, but simply a limited-stops route with off-board fare collection. A couple of weeks ago I rode a 192 along the West End portion, and there was nothing resembling proper stations, or bus lanes of any form; so I guess that reservation and priority signals will be added eventually?

[#Metro]

I thought it was Mass Transit. Looks like all the spin words are coming out.
I don't believe it is Rapid Transit.

It does not have its own right of way.
It does not run at speeds higher than the traffic around it.
It does not run Express.

The trip is short anyway, high speed would make marginal time savings and the skipping of stops required to do this would deter patrons.

Minor Gripe:
I also though that it was supposed to be and look "just like a tram" with higher capacity,  and that they were going to paint lines on the road to make up for the lack of true rails. You know "tram on rubber tyres".


To be fair, at least it apparently does cost a little bit cheaper.

[ozbob]

This blast from the past had it correct essentially - mass transit ..

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Has a picture of a bi-artic ..

New City Glider service for Brisbane
Tony Moore | September 3, 2008 - 11:59AM

A $2 million study to begin early next year will finalise new routes for Brisbane's first mass transit bus service, which will provide buses every 10 minutes between West End, the Cultural Centre, the central city and Newstead.

The new "City Glider" service, to start at the end of 2009, could be run by a private transport company.

Cr Jane Prentice, chair of Brisbane's Public and Active Transport committee, told Brisbane City Council last night the City Glider service would have large "rigid" buses every 10 minutes between 7am and 7pm. The City Glider service will go to tender in the second half of 2009.

"We will go to tender, so it is not automatic that Brisbane Transport will run it," Cr Prentice said.

"What we have said to Translink is that we will go to tender so that they know, so that we are all confident, that we are getting the most effective and most efficient system."

A mass transit task force in September 2007 estimated it could cost $93 million to start - including new buses and capital costs - and around $3.1 billion a year to run.

A light rail network would cost about five times as much and cost $7.8 billion to run.

However, it has estimated net benefits of $3.4 billion, made up of fewer car trips and a reduction in congestion and road accidents.

Cr Prentice said two important technical studies had identified areas in Adelaide Street and along the proposed route to Newstead that needed further research.

"In the last two months, two important technical studies have been completed," she said.

"Firstly a Route Alignment Options Study, which has given consideration to the route between West End and Newstead, most appropriate to the characteristics of the service.

"This includes route options along the West End, CBD and the Valley to Newstead sections.

"And secondly, an Adelaide Street Technical Analysis which has looked into solutions to accommodate the City Glider along Adelaide Street.

"Both these studies concluded there is no significant barriers to the implementation of the system."

The $2 million study - funded equally by Brisbane City Council and the State Government - will now look at the detailed planning along the route.

"It will look in detail at the transport planning, the road use management, environmental and social impacts of this proposal," Cr Prentice said.

The study should be finalised in the first half of 2009 and then the proposed route will be put out for consultation.

"I will be meeting with relevant stakeholders in the next few weeks to brief them on Council's investigations so far into route alignments and to get their feedback on the proposal," Cr Prentice said.

Brisbane City Council plans to introduce the scheme into two stages - over the existing Victoria Street Bridge in the short-term - and then directly into Adelaide Street from Melbourne Street at South Brisbane if a second Victoria Street Bridge is built, as proposed by the State Government.

The Federal and State government have been asked to contribute to the costs.

This project was included in Brisbane City Council's new Transport Plan 2008-2026, which was adopted at last night's council meeting.

It lists $67 billion worth of road, rail, cycling and walking initiatives over the next 18 years, of which $10.5 billion would be financed by Brisbane City Council.

[ozbob]

Doubt over Glider speed  25th June 2009 South West News

Mass transit, doesn't necessarily mean it is rapid ...

[ozbob]

...  if a second Victoria Street Bridge is built

Wonder what has happened to this grand plan?  'Adelaide Street Bridge' ..

[MaxHeadway]

The earlier brochure claims that "the service will receive special treatment including priority at intersections" (page 2). So I hope they haven't decided to discard the special right-of-way aspect!

[#Metro]

Is this over and above what busway buses already receive?
Or is this what would be there for any BCC bus anyway, just spun up a bit for a bit of spin?

Too much spin makes me feel ill.

[Golliwog]

I don't see this as anything other than a glorified normal bus route. Sure this increased frequency and the high visibility buses will help get people on them, but why does BCC have to make such a big fuss about it?

Also, if they can let go card users board these buses from the rear door, why can't they roll this out across the whole system? It would help increase loading times, plus having 2 standards depending on which bus your getting on to will confuse tourists or those new to the system.