OC TranspoOC TranspoBus Rapid Transit in Bus Rapid Transit in

actionaction

John BakerJohn BakerPA 800PA 800

Dec. 14, 2011Dec. 14, 2011

When thinking of When thinking of Ottawa,Ottawa,

one thinks of …one thinks of …

Parliament

Maple Syrup

UN Peacekeeping

Add one more thing …Add one more thing …

BusRapid

Transit

What is BRT?What is BRT?

AdvantagesAdvantages• While a mixed-traffic lane will reach While a mixed-traffic lane will reach saturation in a given period, public transport saturation in a given period, public transport systems have a large capacity to handle systems have a large capacity to handle continued corridor growth.continued corridor growth.

• Studies in the field indicate that demand for Studies in the field indicate that demand for transit is inelastic with respect to money transit is inelastic with respect to money price but ridership is price but ridership is deeply deeply affected by affected by changes in the level of service — whether it changes in the level of service — whether it was made faster, slower, more-or-less often, was made faster, slower, more-or-less often, etc. etc.

• Kemp, Michael. (1973) Some Evidence of Transit Demand Elasticities, Kemp, Michael. (1973) Some Evidence of Transit Demand Elasticities, TransportationTransportation, , 2, pp 25-52.2, pp 25-52.

All over the worldAll over the worldLeft: Jakarta

Right: Brooklyn

Below: San Fernando Valley

Downtown Ottawa from the air

National CapitalNational Capital

City population: 812,000City population: 812,000

Metro Area pop.: 1.3 mil.Metro Area pop.: 1.3 mil.

City area: 1,072 sq. milesCity area: 1,072 sq. miles

Metro area: 2,053 sq.milesMetro area: 2,053 sq.miles

City and County of San Francisco:City and County of San Francisco:

805,000+ population805,000+ population

Metro Area (SF-Oak-Fre): 4.3 mil. Metro Area (SF-Oak-Fre): 4.3 mil.

(2009)(2009)

49 sq. miles (SF only)49 sq. miles (SF only)

Ottawa, Ontario

Rideau Canal as seen from OC Transpo Route 3

Comparisons

OC Transpo (2010 data)99.3 million unlinked tripsAWR: 384,000 (just more than BART)2.6 million revenue hours60.5 million revenue kms (37.5 million miles)Average trip length: 10 km (6.3 miles)

Muni (2010) SamTrans (2010)209.6 million unlinked trips 13.7 million unlinked tripsAWR: 671,400 AWR: About 41,0003.1 million revenue hours 565,283 revenue hours24.2 million revenue miles 6.4 million revenue milesAvg trip length 3.4 miles

Sources: Federal Transit Database, SF Muni,SamTrans and OC Transpo websites.

Kent Street Station

Transitway facts and figures

• About 45 stations, seven in downtown “core”

• About 20 (of 200) lines use at least some part of Transitway

• Speed limits of 70-90 kph (45-55 mph) between stations

• 50 kph (30 mph) speed limit in station areas

• Former railroad rights of way, almost all grade separated (except downtown)

• Buses and emergency vehicles only

Adult fare: $3.25

(Canadian)

OR

Two tickets

Youth fare: $1.60 or one

ticket

Express: $4.25 or three tickets

Senior discounts only with pass –

except free on Wednesdays

Free TransfersNote: Old picture, tickets are now $1.25.

Tickets available Tickets available everywhereeverywhere

Including markets at Transitway stations, like this one at Hurdman Station

Hurdman Station

Major east-side transfer station

Hurdman: served by about 25 different lines

Above: Information booth in shelter with “NextBus”-like system, maps and other information.

Top right: Heater controls for mini-shelter. Does not work unless temperature is below freezing.

Bottom right: Example of route signs at each stop.

OutcomesOutcomes

Why it worksWhy it works(Facts)(Facts)

Dense coreDense core Suburbs fan out fairly evenly from coreSuburbs fan out fairly evenly from core Consolidated municipalityConsolidated municipality City built up during railroad age by City built up during railroad age by competing railroads / Tracks torn up during competing railroads / Tracks torn up during various beautification projects in ’70s and various beautification projects in ’70s and ’80s’80s

Early environmental mindsetEarly environmental mindset(Opinions)(Opinions)

Residents already used to the requisite tax Residents already used to the requisite tax rate for such an infrastructure improvementrate for such an infrastructure improvement

Capital prideCapital pride

What What cancan work here work here

Integrated fare structure with Integrated fare structure with commuter railcommuter rail

Quick turnaroundQuick turnaroundProof-of-payment boarding at Proof-of-payment boarding at stationsstations

Free senior daysFree senior daysTickets = TokensTickets = TokensDedicated lanesDedicated lanes

Parliament Hill

Final thoughtsFinal thoughts

Great systemGreat systemFine example of Fine example of realreal BRT BRTA bit pricey, but you do A bit pricey, but you do get what you pay forget what you pay for

Clean (like most things in Clean (like most things in Ottawa), WAY cleaner than Ottawa), WAY cleaner than Muni!Muni!

Questions?Questions?(Beyond “Why did you use Comic Sans?”)(Beyond “Why did you use Comic Sans?”)