Re: BC Transit to roll out ‘Standing Room Only’ boarding policy in Victoria. If elected officials had shown some foresight, transit overcrowding could have been avoided had they followed the recommendation to build light rail transit (LRT) in BC Transit’s Victoria Regional Rapid Transit Project study published in May 2011.
The report compared bus rapid transit (BRT), like the bus lanes/RapidBus being rolled out, with LRT, and both using high-capacity articulated vehicles. But while these buses can carry 120 passengers, the LRT railcars can handle nearly double that: 230 passengers.
According to the report, “LRT will be able to accommodate the ridership growth forecast for the busy Douglas Street Corridor, whereas a BRT solution would reach its capacity limits within 10-15 years.”
Articulated buses, it should be noted, have faster loading and unloading compared with the double-deckers because they have more doors and do not have the space-consuming (and inaccessible) stairwells.
LRT offers the best deal for taxpayers. States the report: “LRT has a positive benefit cost ratio and the highest transportation benefits ($1 billion more than BRT over 27 years)”
With the province mandating more and higher-density housing, traffic and transit congestion will only get worse. It is time to get on board with rail before the region grinds to a standstill.
Brendan Read, director
Transport Action British Columbia
