4 ms·

An interesting point is that despite the fact that the train line was already built and the rolling stock was acquired dirt cheap, the cost was still significan

An interesting point is that despite the fact that the train line was already built and the rolling stock was acquired dirt cheap, the cost was still significantly higher than a bus. Poor old buses, unloved by politicians, but usually a far more cost effective solution to public transport needs than the average multi-billion dollar tram or train project.

mehhh 7y ago
Short of dedicated lanes that are separated with bollards, a bus will be snarled in traffic at peak hours. Additionally, busses have much lower carrying capacity and higher operational costs compared to light rail or even street cars.
- flarg 7y ago
  In England we do have dedicated bus lanes and famously very little room to add light rail and it works pretty well. Probably a good option for cities and buses can rerouted and powered by greener energy more easily than rail.
  - pjc50 7y ago
    > buses can rerouted and powered by greener energy more easily than rail. ? Buses are definitely easy to reroute, but electric trains are much easier to "green". I'm slightly surprised we've not seen trolleybuses as a compromise, but I guess the wiring is too expensive. The one thing that definitely doesn't work is guided buses on separate dedicated routes.
  - jlokier 7y ago
    In England here. I wouldn't say the buses work pretty well - journeying on them tends to make me sick fairly consistently, unlike trains which do not. I think it is due to the bumpy roads, terrible suspension and polluted air. The difference is stark enough that I'm happy to go to work at the end of a train, underground, cycle and/or substantial walking (even in the rain), but I'm severely put off any job that requires a daily bus. After all, who wants to feel sick every day.
  - LegitShady 7y ago
    If there's money it's good.to plan bus corridors with future expansion for lrt if possible. Space, money, time always to balance.
calyth2018 7y ago
The reason why we built Line 1 is that snow storm would tie up buses, particularly when it goes through the downtown core. I've been stuck in the backups before, where the articulated 60ft buses fails to go up the hill from Lebreton (now Pimisi) into the downtown, and there's a long chain of buses just trying to mush through downtown. If only the whole Line 1 wasn't penny wise and pound foolish, and it would have been a much better replacement than buses.

mehhh 7y ago

Short of dedicated lanes that are separated with bollards, a bus will be snarled in traffic at peak hours. Additionally, busses have much lower carrying capacity and higher operational costs compared to light rail or even street cars.

flarg 7y ago
In England we do have dedicated bus lanes and famously very little room to add light rail and it works pretty well. Probably a good option for cities and buses can rerouted and powered by greener energy more easily than rail.
- pjc50 7y ago
  > buses can rerouted and powered by greener energy more easily than rail. ? Buses are definitely easy to reroute, but electric trains are much easier to "green". I'm slightly surprised we've not seen trolleybuses as a compromise, but I guess the wiring is too expensive. The one thing that definitely doesn't work is guided buses on separate dedicated routes.
- jlokier 7y ago
  In England here. I wouldn't say the buses work pretty well - journeying on them tends to make me sick fairly consistently, unlike trains which do not. I think it is due to the bumpy roads, terrible suspension and polluted air. The difference is stark enough that I'm happy to go to work at the end of a train, underground, cycle and/or substantial walking (even in the rain), but I'm severely put off any job that requires a daily bus. After all, who wants to feel sick every day.
- LegitShady 7y ago
  If there's money it's good.to plan bus corridors with future expansion for lrt if possible. Space, money, time always to balance.

calyth2018 7y ago

The reason why we built Line 1 is that snow storm would tie up buses, particularly when it goes through the downtown core. I've been stuck in the backups before, where the articulated 60ft buses fails to go up the hill from Lebreton (now Pimisi) into the downtown, and there's a long chain of buses just trying to mush through downtown. If only the whole Line 1 wasn't penny wise and pound foolish, and it would have been a much better replacement than buses.