Would Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) be a good idea for C-Tran’s busiest corridor, between Westfield Vancouver mall and downtown along Fourth Plain Boulevard and Fort Vancouver Way? No one knows for sure … yet. But the local transit agency already has spent considerable time and energy researching the possibility, and it appears C-Tran is leaning in that direction.
Public involvement has been, and will continue to be, an integral part of this process. For example, a public meeting regarding BRT is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at C-Tran’s main office, 2425 N.E. 65th Ave. If you’re pro-BRT or anti-BRT — or like many of the most informed observers, still uncommitted on BRT — attending Saturday’s meeting would be a good idea.
Only a few decisions have been made so far. For example, C-Tran planners know that BRT is worth studying. And only a few answers have emerged. Three examples: BRT could reduce transit travel time by up to 30 percent, transit reliability could be improved by up to 50 percent, and up to 80 percent of the project’s estimated cost of $78 million could be picked up by the Federal Transit Administration.
All of that leads us to conclude: Study away. Carry on with the research. Later, when more answers are known, C-Tran (and voters) will be able to make a firm decision.