BUS RAPID TRANSIT AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT; A TALE OF TWO CITIES

There is growing awareness that continued development and expansion of high-quality public transportation service is an essential ingredient in modifying mode choice behavior in the United States. In the past 20 years, 12 new start light rail transit (LRT) lines have been constructed in North America as part of a determined effort to change travel patterns in growing cities. However, the cost-effectiveness of constructing expensive new start LRT lines is being questioned by local officials in many smaller cities now engaged in studying the feasibility of such investments. The costs of constructing LRT have spiraled upward, whereas estimated levels of future transit system ridership in smaller cities are relatively low compared to larger cities. Can public transportation services in smaller cities be dramatically improved without the extraordinary capital expenditures required of LRT system construction? Bus rapid transit (BRT) may be a rational and cost-effective way to implement significant transit improvements in smaller cities, and it may cost 40 to 70 percent less than current LRT construction estimates. These cost savings often can be achieved without sacrificing service quality and potential ridership. The service characteristics and attributes of BRT are also often similar to LRT, with the notable exception of the vehicles and supporting infrastructure. This research explores the rationale for building BRT in two different cities: Cleveland, Ohio, and Nashville, Tennessee. The research will compare and contrast the costs, benefits, and cost-effectiveness of the rail and bus alternatives proposed for the travel corridors in these two cities.