San Leandro City Council Approves Bus Rapid Transit

Press Releases
07/16/2012

The San Leandro City Council has voted to support the building of AC Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, a transportation system that is more reliable and environmentally-friendly with enhanced streetscapes and quicker commutes.

In April, the AC Transit Board of Directors approved the $150 million project, which runs from the San Leandro BART through downtown Oakland.  The project passed the Oakland Public Works Committee with broad support last week and now awaits endorsement from the Oakland City Council which will vote on the matter Tuesday night.

“This win is a tremendous victory for the future of public transportation, especially for the commuters who will now have their travel times dramatically reduced,” said AC Transit Board President Elsa Ortiz.

The Federal Transit Agency has given AC Transit’s BRT plan the highest overall rating of any of the transit projects under consideration across the United States. Construction is expected to begin in 2014, with the system fully operational in 2016. Additionally, construction of the BRT project will create local construction jobs and contribute to the economy by generating additional jobs that will support construction.

“Nationally, the project is considered to be a top transit priority with regard to funding and its ability to actually redefine urban bus travel,” said AC Transit General Manager David Armijo. “We are looking forward to the BRT not only improving transit, but also creating jobs and making this agency and the region much greener in the process.”

About Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

AC Transit’s vision is to provide a truly world-class transit service that is convenient, reliable and safe–one that increases mobility enhances the quality of life and improves the health of the environment throughout the communities it serves. Bus Rapid Transit would be a high-capacity rapid transit system that reduces travel times. With dedicated lanes and signal priority, and prominent stations with convenient boarding of buses, BRT would offer residents a viable alternative to driving on congested city streets. It will reduce traffic levels, significantly cutting emissions and pollutants. Bus Rapid Transit is essentially light rail without the tracks. It combines the speed and capacity of light rail with the convenience and affordability of riding the bus. It can be planned and built at much less expense, and more quickly, than traditional light rail systems.

For more information about AC Transit’s BRT system, visit http://www.actransit.org/planning-focus/your-guide-to-bus-rapid-transit/.

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