The BRT Buzz in India

Bus rapid transit (BRT) is an increasingly popular option for Indian cities that need a cost-efficient public transportation system. The Ministry of Urban Development has encouraged the development of BRT systems by holding a recent conference on mass transit technology with a special emphasis on BRT and authorizing grants to three cities for BRT pilot corridors. Existing bus systems in these cities are poor or nonexistent. The goal for these cities is to use BRT as the cornerstone for a high-quality system that stimulates an increase in public transit ridership. Funding mechanisms such as grants and public-private partnerships can make these BRT systems affordable.