Sunday, October 02, 2005
$29 million for a new Bus system, is it worth it?
EmX - LTD's Bus Rapid TransitPhoto
It is interesting living in Eugene/Springfield area, working all the streets being torn up for these special hybrid buses that run on wheels. And I have been asking myself for a while, what is it about these buses that requires the streets to be torn up and all the construction? And even more importantly, why does it cost $29 million for a 14 mile route?
So what is EmX? The concept is based on light rail principles, but uses rubber tires and technology such as queue jumpers, bus only lanes, and signal priority to achieve a similar service that is more affordable for smaller communitiesSource
Designs for the final design of the new vehicle is still underway, but not only will the exterior be sporting an exciting futuristic look (buzzword warning) but the interior design include state-of-the-art features in consideration for people with disabilities (buzzword warning)
The buses sport an INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM (ITS) in which LTD claims a system opens the doors to new ways of managing, operating and refining transportation system. There is not much information available on the LTD's web site regarding the full features of ITS, but I'm speculating that it has to do with robotic navigation systems. I have worked with simmular systems, I don't trust them 100%
Detail of the service on Franklin Boulevard is available at Link
check out the drawing of the Franklin Corridor. what happened to the trees? Link
I'm also surprised at the tree huggers are not raising a stink either.
So in conclusion, we really need such an expensive system when there are cheaper and more flexible alternative methods of doing so. Or is it because of the federal grant that it giving for this project, or is it just a new toy that they want to play with?
Additional information regarding this technology for Bus Rapid Transit is available at this link from the Federal Transit Administration.
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5 comments:
And yet they wonder why there's no money. $29 million to get from Eugene to Springfield 6 minutes quicker. Put this with the building of the new courthouse we don't need and the artsy-fartsy bike bridge to Alton Baker park, the two new bus terminals that are useless, and the hugh money wasting Breeze buses that don't work.
We need to talk with Atkinson about reforming ODOT!
Light rail lite.
I'm trying to get the woolies agitated about the doomed trees, but they process information slower than us.
"Intelligent Transportation System" - A system that ingnores 98% of the public. How intelligent is that.
Having spent my life (from age 16 to 29) in Eugene, I have to say, that bus "system" is a total waste. I tried it a few times and realized quickly that walking was easier, faster and smelled better.
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