Consultant to study rapid buses to Oakland

A Port Authority board committee today approved a $1 million study of developing rapid bus service between Downtown and Oakland.

Rapid bus has been likened to a light-rail system with much lower development costs. Specially designed buses operate between above-ground stations that are farther apart than typical bus stops. The vehicles usually run on dedicated bus lanes, with priority at traffic signals. Patrons pay fares in the stations, and screens display real-time information about the next arrivals.

A rapid bus line developed in Cleveland has been credited with sparking $4 billion in development along its path.

The study will take 12 to 18 months and produce a "preferred alignment" for the service, probably in the corridor of Fifth and Forbes avenues, said Wendy Stern, assistant general manager for planning and development. It is also possible the proposed service would be extended eastward from Oakland.

Completing the study will better position the region to apply for federal grants to develop the service, she said. The study is funded with about $840,000 in federal planning money and $210,000 from Allegheny County. The project has received broad-based endorsements from Pittsburgh and county government officials, universities and Oakland hospitals.

The authority's Performance Oversight Committee has authorized a contract with PB Americas Inc. to do the study. The company has been involved in planning, design or construction of 35 bus rapid transit projects in the U.S. and more than 60 worldwide. Ms. Stern said additional funding sources will be sought to increase the contract to $1.5 million.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.





First published on July 20, 2011 at 11:56 am