11.19.2007

what BRT looks like



If you've got ten minutes, here's a good intro on what BRT can do for a megacity like Mexico.

It comes across as a little bit of hard sell but it could just be lost in translation.

Can you imagine this in our megacity?

8 comments:

IndioBravo said...

That will be grand!If it does.I am actually thingking of putting this in Alfredo Lim's website.Sorry, I'm a bit desperate for results on urban improvement in Manila:)

Urbano dela Cruz said...

IndioBravo,

I'm as desperate as you are.

if you can get on his website, go ahead.

UDC

Unknown said...

Hi UDC,

What if we apply Pinoy ingenuity and use the Jeepneys instead for a "JRT". The old models are slowly phased out and replaced with the electric models similar to those in Makati. I think the key here is dedicating routes for public vehicles without the volume of private vehicles.

But the main problem may be cultural. The common Pinoy would ask for air-conditioning and won't like to walk the few meters to his/her destination under the sun. We still ask the jeepney to drop us on the nearest corner, ride the tricycle or pedicab for distances that are walkable.

Urbano dela Cruz said...

Hi Michael,

Yes to Pinoy ingenuity but not so sure about the JRT idea.

For one, you want to maximize passenger load, which is why most BRT systems use articulated buses that can carry loads of 120 -200.

The goal of BRT systems is to approximate the efficiency of rail without the costs.

"But the main problem may be cultural."

I disagree. Filipinos are NOT disinclined to walking anymore than any other country. Go visit UP Diliman and on any given day you will find people walking half a kilometer regularly from building to building.

What's happened is that our commitment to the automobile has led us to create urban environments that are hostile to pedestrians.

But we CAN create microclimates that make it comfortable to walk even 10 minutes. We need Trees. We nee sidewalks.

UDC

Unknown said...

But there are still a lot that take the Ikot Jeep.

Here in Makati I see a lot taking the Jeep or FX from Salcedo to Landmark/SM instead of walking using the elevated pedestrian pathway.

I've timed it once, and the total travel time during afternoon rush hour from queuing up to departing at the MRT station is about 30 minutes. Leisurely walking takes about 20 mins.

I agree that creating the microclimates ideal for walking is solution. Its our (Filipinos) disdain for the sun, heat, sweat, dust, tiresome that overcomes the desire to walk with just waiting in line for an air-conditioned ride to the MRT station.

Urbano dela Cruz said...

You'll have to prove that "Its our (Filipinos) disdain for the sun, heat, sweat, dust, tiresome that overcomes the desire to walk"

And I mean prove that it's particular to Filipinos.

Also, 10 minutes (3/4 of a kilometer) is about the maximum of what is perceived to be "walkable." People take other options (when available) when the walk takes longer than 10 minutes.

What Makati needs is a circulator bus system on a fixed rotary route that will take you to within a five minute walk of any point in the CBD.

Nissan used to run something like this (in the early 90s) but it became too costly for the company to run alone.

Ayala Land should run it and sell ad space along the bus to subsidize the operations. The gain is in the reduction of traffic.

Mark said...

another approach i think is for companies to subsidize or offer living arrangements near to place of work. this is particularly appealling to the younger generations and would also cutdown traffic. maybe a form of tax incentive can be done to encourage these kind of privileges. just thinking out loud :-)

Urbano dela Cruz said...

we could do location efficient mortgages but it will hinge on making sure there are available housing units near the places of work -you do that by mixing uses in zoning.

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