This post originally appeared on Orphan Road.
New York’s MTA tries it out on the Bx12:
The route, which goes from 207th Street in Upper Manhattan across the heart of the Bronx along Fordham Road and Pelham Parkway, was revamped in July as part of an experimental program known as Select Bus Service. Riders pay their fare using machines at sidewalk bus stops, which allows them to board more quickly through either the front or the rear door of extra-long articulated buses.
Buses travel in red-painted lanes that are off limits to other vehicles during busy times of day, and additional police officers are deployed to keep the lanes clear. Traffic signals along Fordham Road have been equipped to communicate electronically with the buses, allowing, for example, a green signal to be extended for a few seconds to let a bus through or shortening a red signal’s time.
Another major innovation: Drivers were told not to worry about keeping to a schedule, but to drive off as soon as they picked up passengers. That has eliminated the often frustrating delays at stops while drivers whose buses are early wait to get back on schedule.
This is basically the full BRT monty: off-bus fare collection, dedicated ROW, and signal priority. I do hope Metro is able to salvage at least some of Seattle’s planned BRT routes in the midst of this budget crunch.